PAUL RYAN STRIKES BACK: “Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) hasn’t gotten a lot of help from his GOP colleagues in defending against scurrilous attacks on his Medicare reform plan. So today he’s unveiling his own campaign (not for the presidency), with a video to explain what he’s up to and why Medicare ‘as we know it’ is going by the wayside, no matter what. . . . The debate is just beginning. Ryan will mount his offensive in the days ahead. And his belief that voters will listen to reasoned arguments on the merits will be put to the test.”

UPDATE: Advice to Republicans: Avoid a circular firing squad, please.