Republicans ignored warnings on Paul Ryan plan  —  It might be a political time bomb — that's what GOP pollsters warned as House Republicans prepared for the April 15 vote on Rep. Paul Ryan's proposed budget, with its plan to dramatically remake Medicare.  —  No matter how favorably pollsters …

Things Done Changed  —  Remember how it was the beltway conventional wisdom that the Ryan plan was “serious” and “adult” and that it was up to the Democrats to offer a counter and yadda, yadda, yadda.  Things sure have changed in a few months, haven't they?

Behind the Daniels family veto  —  On Friday, the pieces were coming together nicely for a Mitch Daniels-for-president campaign.  Some top potential staffers were told they would have a job, and to keep their powder dry just a little bit longer.  Several Washington Republicans expected a declaration in the next few days.

The Next President Isn't Currently Running (Updated)  —  There's no GOP operative for whom I have higher regard than former RNC chair and senior Bush advisor Ed Gillespie.  He deserves to be taken seriously when he says (according to Politico): “For all intents and purposes, the field is set.

Daniels Is Out, in Another Jolt to G.O.P. Field  —  WASHINGTON — The announcement Sunday by Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana that he would not run for the Republican presidential nomination ended one major chapter of uncertainty in the race but ignited new debate over whether the current field contains …