Going on this idea further, is it plausible -- if we assume an alternate 1860 Election where Douglas denies Lincoln an ECV majority even as he comes in fourth (in said college) -- for Breckinridge or his running mate, Anthony Lane, to assume the Presidency in the next few months? For example, could the House of Representatives adopt a rule whereby the third placer for President, after a certain number of ballots, in dropped from consideration, forcing a choice between the Republican and Southern Democratic candidate?