EARLIER ON THE FIX:
The Fix’s best state based political blogs — extended edition!
So President Obama says to the Sultan of Brunei …
The geography of the papal electorate, in one map
The states with the highest and lowest turnout in 2012, in 2 charts
Is the Ryan budget bad politics?
Bloomberg vows to appeal sugary drink reversal, explains Cheez-It habit (VIDEO)
6 senators to watch at Tuesday’s gun hearings
WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
* New Plan, Same As The Old Plan? House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) new budget proposal looks nearly identical to last year’s blueprint. So, it’s no surprise that Democrats were quick to criticize it, as they did last year.
* The Late Show: President Obama will likely release his budget the week of April 8, nearly two months behind schedule. And Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) wasn’t pleased. Meanwhile, the president fielded budget-related and other questions from Senate Democrats on Capitol Hill.
* My Old Kentucky Home: Speaking of McConnell — the Republican is set to launch a six-figure ad buy starting Thursday, a notable move this early in the cycle. But given McConnell’s weak polling numbers, and how well-stocked his campaign account is, the early effort to shore up his image isn’t totally surprising.
* This Land Is Your Land: There will be Bush on the ballot in Texas next year. George P. Bush, the son of former Florida governor Jeb Bush, will run for land commissioner there. It’s a fairly powerful position in the state and a good political launching pad.
* Civil Union Bill Passes: The Colorado House passed a bill legalizing civil unions The measure had already passed the Senate and is expected to be signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper (D).
* A Mixed Bag: Forty-eight percent of Connecticut voters said they approve of the job Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy (D) is doing in a Quinnipiac University poll, his highest marks ever. But it’s not all roses: Only 42 percent said he deserves to be reelected.
* Birthday Boy: Mitt Romney celebrated his 66th birthday with a cupcake.
Happy 66th Dad.Can’t beata fluffernutter cupcake. instagr.am/p/Ww_lx5ELlT/
— Tagg Romney (@tromney) March 12, 2013
THE FIX MIX:
Not exactly backyard badminton.