March came in like a lion here yesterday, with actual rain, thank God.

Here are some seasonal midday news/views treats:

* At AIPAC Netanyahu tries to tamp down impression the confrontation he’s sought with Obama is a confrontation with Obama.

* Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) is reportedly retiring at the end of 2016 after three decades in the Senate.

* Byron York says Scott Walker’s populist act not going over that well with GOP donor class.

* At TNR, Maxine David argues murder of Boris Nemtsov will chill dissent even if it’s never proved the Kremlin had a hand in it.

* At the Plum Line, Paul Waldman suggests the border will never, ever, be “secure” enough to enable Republicans to enact comprehensive immigration reform.

And in non-political news:

* Michael Jordan joins Forbes‘ list of billionaires for first time.

As we break for lunch, here’s Bo Diddley with Muddy Waters and Little Walter performing “I’m a Man” in 1967.

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Ed Kilgore is a political columnist for New York and managing editor at the Democratic Strategist website. He was a contributing writer at the Washington Monthly from January 2012 until November 2015, and was the principal contributor to the Political Animal blog.