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.

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.

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.