March Madness, political edition.

Ryan vs. Obama May Be March Madness, but Can Anybody Win?

(theatlanticwire.com)

The month ahead will take the term "March Madness" out of the basketball arena, and into the political arena. America faces a series of continuing financial challenges. And although the NCAA tournament hasn't begun yet, here's what the financial "brackets" look like:

(suntimes.com)

March Madness: Obama Formally Orders "Deeply Destructive" Cuts

(Moneynews)

Here's a March Madness bracket put out by Blair Horner of the American Cancer Society to point about $40 million in cuts proposed to the state's public-health budget.

(Politics on the Hudson)

With four days and counting, there's a bit of March Madness feeling to it all. Even author Bob Woodward has jumped in, crossing the stage like some Greek chorus in ancient Athens to announce periodically who's been "moving the goal posts." But make no mistake, this is a genuine watershed event for Washington--and Obama.

(Politico)

CPAC: March Madness on the Potomac

(The Daily Beast)

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America's March Madness Problem We're Duke.

(foreignpolicy.com)

"Mara, the way you phrase that question makes me think that you're still working on a typewriter or something."

--White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, apparently not pleased by a question from NPR's Mara Liasson about President Barack Obama's budget

"Can anybody tell me when an administration has ever regretted picking a fight with Bob Woodward? What's the worst that could happen?"

--President Barack Obama at the annual Gridiron Club and Foundation dinner, poking fun at the dispute over whether Obama economic adviser Gene Sperling had threatened the Watergate legend