A possible redemption?  Romney:  The Price of Failed Leadership.  Excerpt:

Why are there no good choices? From Crimea to North Korea, from Syria to Egypt, and from Iraq to Afghanistan, America apparently has no good options. If possession is nine-tenths of the law, Russia owns Crimea and all we can do is sanction and disinvite—and wring our hands.

Iran is following North Korea’s nuclear path, but it seems that we can only entreat Iran to sign the same kind of agreement North Korea once signed, undoubtedly with the same result.

Our tough talk about a red line in Syria prompted Vladimir Putin‘s sleight of hand, leaving the chemicals and killings much as they were. We say Bashar Assad must go, but aligning with his al Qaeda-backed opposition is an unacceptable option.

And how can it be that Iraq and Afghanistan each refused to sign the status-of-forces agreement with us—with the very nation that shed the blood of thousands of our bravest for them?

Why, across the world, are America’s hands so tied?

Because we tied them ourselves, Mr. Romney.

We’re drawing down our Army to pre-WW2 levels.

We’re planning to draw the Navy down likewise – including reducing our carrier force, the only means we have left to project power.

No despot or dictator anywhere in the world takes the United States seriously any more – and there’s no reason they should, not as long as the incumbent sits in the White House.

Here’s what’s interesting about this article; could the inestimable Mr. Romney be positioning himself for 2016?  It wouldn’t be the first time someone has staged a comeback from one election season to the next, and won the White House.

It might be an interesting election season after all.

Anatomy of a Democratic Midterm Freakout.  Excerpt:

National Democrats are in a near panic — if the media’s highly-attuned panic detectors are any indicator — with a “poisonous” president unable to use his popularity to sway voters, a “screaming siren” warning about mid-term turnout, and Republicans on the offensive on Obamacare. There are a long eight months until November, but Democrats seem unlikely to get much sleep over the interim.

There are (at least!) six reasons why.

The second reason should really be the first:

2. President Obama is near all-time lows on his approval ratings.

This Administration is poison for Democrats seeking re-election this year.   Marked by incompetence, scandal and Chicago-style cronyism, the Obama Administration has done the impossible – made the country nostalgic for the relatively capable James Earl Carter.

But a mid-term election with a disgruntled electorate won’t make the difference in 2016.  Dissatisfaction with the Obama White House will help the GOP this year, and may have some coattails into 2016.  But gaining House seats – almost certain – and retaking the Senate – somewhat less likely but looking more possible by the day – will only render the President the lamest of lame ducks.  To win the White House, hold Congress and earn a mandate in 2016 will take something else – a message.  A positive message.

It’s not enough to tell the country what the Obama Administration and the Reid Senate has done wrong.  They have to tell America what they intend to do right.  A pro-liberty, limited government message would go a long way.

But then, the GOP has a  pretty good history of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

And not only Blue Monday, but St. Patrick’s Day as well, so (after work) feel free to hoist one or several in the time-honored Irish tradition.

But, Monday and Irish celebrations aside, the world isn’t looking to be all that happy a place this morning.

We have a missing Malaysian airliner that may have ended up in Pakistan – protestations from Washington to the contrary aside, this is a nation that has no love for the United States.  Who knows what was on that airliner, or to what nefarious use it may be put?

Meanwhile, Crimeans seem poised to vote to join Russia, while Moscow (read that: Putin) is massing troops in the area for what may well be an incursion into Ukraine proper.

There’s an old saw that goes “history may not always repeat, but it does often rhyme.”  Putin’s grab for lebensraum for the Russian people sure does have a familiar ring to it.

And make no mistake  the United States can’t do anything about it.  We’ve drawn down too far militarily, and we have very little influence in that region.  Also, Vladimir Putin has accurately assessed Barack Obama’s foreign policy chops as all hat, no cattle -he figures he can do as he pleases in eastern Europe, and he’s right.

Interesting times, these.

In other, similar news, the Quebecois are making noises about separating from Canada again.  Interesting change in the North American landscape if it happens, but this change will at least be peaceful.

On reflection, this may be the ideal day to hoist a few.  Here’s mud in your eye!