What Kind Of Day Has It Been

• Yemen got yet worse as the failing state appeared to be descending into multifaceted civil war. The Arab Spring--or, as I prefer, Arab 1848--may now be squarely in a second, distinct phase. Whereas the first phase--marked by Tunisia and Egypt--was defined by mass demonstrations and limited state violence, the second phase--marked by Libya and Yemen, at least--is defined by escalating violence that leads to civil war. Incidentally, Mubarak and his sons will stand trial in Egypt.


• NATO extended its commitment to the Libya intervention by 90 days. A car bomb exploded in Benghazi outside a hotel used by rebel leaders, wounding one.


• Politico says Rep. Jason Chaffetz will challenge Orrin Hatch for his Senate seat. Chaffetz is famous for sleeping in his office.


• The Washington Post is reporting that U.S. economic recovery is faltering--little wonder, as the undersized, tax-cut heavy recovery package wears off.


• The Hill reports DeMint is considering a 2012 run but Politico says it is unlikely. Meanwhile, the Washington Post/Pew poll shows nearly 4-in-10 Republicans are dissatisfied with the current field.