Jon Huntsman, the rock ‘n’ roll years  —  Jonny Huntsman didn't quite make it through his senior year of high school, and the cause was pretty plain to his classmates.  One recalled the long-haired, diffident Salt Lake City high schooler sitting next to him in history class “hitting his desk as if it were a piano.”

Pawlenty ribs Obama's reelection announcement  —  Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) on Monday shot back at President Obama's announcement that he will seek reelection in 2012.  —  The likely presidential candidate's exploratory committee released a Web video highlighting the economic downturn …

GOP Aim: Cut $4 Trillion  —  Budget Plan Would Transform Medicare, Reset Budget Debate; Democrats Balk  —  Republicans will present this week a 2012 budget proposal that would cut more than $4 trillion from federal spending projected over the next decade and transform the Medicare health program …

First Thoughts: He's in  —  In email and video to supporters, Obama announces his re-election bid... NBC's 2012 battleground map... Why Obama is in right now: It's all about raising the money.  So why isn't Romney in yet?... Is Paul Ryan's budget plan — which revamps Medicaid and Medicare …

(CROSSTALK)  —  WALLACE: Are we talking 20 percent?  —  RYAN: Our numbers are moving around right now, so we're basically trying to get government back toward its historic size.  —  WALLACE: Which is what?  —  RYAN: Right now we're at about 25 percent of GDP.

The Hill Poll: GOP seen as more reasonable in spending-cut debate  —  A plurality of likely voters believes Republicans have been more reasonable than Democrats in the negotiations over spending cuts.  —  A new poll conducted for The Hill showed 41 percent polled said the GOP had been …