Wisconsin Power Play  —  Last week, in the face of protest demonstrations against Wisconsin's new union-busting governor, Scott Walker — demonstrations that continued through the weekend, with huge crowds on Saturday — Representative Paul Ryan made an unintentionally apt comparison: “It's like Cairo has moved to Madison.”

As Republicans See a Mandate on Budget Cuts, Others See Risk  —  WASHINGTON — In Congress and in statehouses, Republican lawmakers and governors are claiming a broad mandate from last year's elections as they embark on an aggressive campaign of cutting government spending and taking on public unions.

Qaddafi's Grip on Power Seems to Ebb as Forces Retreat  —  CAIRO — The 40-year-rule of Libyan strongman Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi appeared to teeter Monday as his security forces retreated to a few buildings in the Libyan capital of Tripoli where fires burned unchecked, senior government officials …

Oops: White House, DNC disavow involvement with #WIunion protests but Twitter busts 'em cold @ByronYork  —  The unofficial public relations arm of the Obama administration reports that the White House and the DNC really had nothing at all to do with the public service union protests in Madison.

Wisconsin Puts Obama Between Competing Desires  —  WASHINGTON — The battle in Wisconsin over public employee unions has left President Obama facing a tricky balance between showing solidarity with longtime political supporters and projecting a message in favor of deep spending cuts to reduce the debt.

Huckabee throws a Mitt fit  —  Mike Huckabee may be especially tempted to run in 2012 by a lingering feud between him and Mitt Romney, a severe hangover from the 2008 campaign that has created a lasting and bitter rift between the two, Republicans who know both men say.

First lady hits the slopes  —  Michelle Obama enjoys fresh veggies at Restaurant Kelly Liken  —  Daily staff report newsroom@vaildaily.com  —  VAIL — First lady Michelle Obama enjoyed locally grown fare at a Vail restaurant Saturday night before hitting the slopes of Vail Mountain early Sunday.