OBAMA AGENDA: Netanyahu’s big win
Haaretz has the results of the Israeli election, showing that Netanyahu's Likud is set to win 30 Knesset seats while the Zionist Union gets 24.
The New York Times' take: "Benjamin Netanyahu was poised to return to power. But there was a cloud over his apparent turnaround, the result of an increasingly shrill campaign that raised questions about his ability to heal Israel’s internal wounds or better its standing in the world."
Not a good headline for transparency, from the AP: "US sets new record for denying, censoring government files"
An envelope sent to the White House tested positive for cyanide, the Secret Service confirms.
The president is in Cleveland today to slam the GOP's budget and talk about manufacturing.
CONGRESS: Budget talk
The New York Times, on House Republicans' budget: "The 10-year blueprint for taxes and spending they formally unveiled would balance the federal budget, even promising a surplus by 2024, but only with the sort of sleights of hand that Republicans have so often derided."
The Wall Street Journal offers some reminders of what to watch during the budget debate.
It's the end of the road for Schock, writes NBC's Andrew Rafferty.
POLITICO writes that Schock's decision to resign was so fast that even Boehner didn't get advance notice.
The Chicago Tribune notes that state Sen. Darin LaHood (son of Ray) is interested in running in the special election to replace Schock.
(In fact, WMAQ is reporting that LaHood has ALREADY announced his candidacy.)
The latest on the war of words over the human trafficking bill and Loretta Lynch’s stalled nomination, from The Hill.
OFF TO THE RACES: Exploring Jeb’s faith
BUSH: The New York Times does a deep dive into Jeb Bush's Catholic faith (he converted in 1995.)
CLINTON: The Wall Street Journal notes that Clinton's newest press hires are known for good relationships with the press corps.
The Washington Post talks to Democrats in early primary states who are anxious that she's not doing retail politicking there yet.
PAUL: Msnbc's Anthony Terrell reports that Rand Paul will jump into the presidential race on April 7, with an announcement in Louisville.
TRUMP: He's launching a presidential exploratory committee.
WALKER: That happened fast. Walker aide Liz Mair quit late yesterday after criticism of her tweets questioning Iowa's role in the presidential nominating contest.
And around the country…
FLORIDA: Debbie Wasserman Schultz is ruling out a Florida Senate bid.
PROGRAMMING NOTES. *** Wednesday’s “News Nation with Tamron Hall” line-up: Tamron Hall speaks with The New York Times Jerusalem Bureau Chief Jodi Rudoren , Prof. Fawaz Gerges of London School of Economics and Political Science Chair of Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies and The Daily Beast’s Jonathan Alter about the outcome of the Israeli elections, NBC Terror analyst Evan Kohlmann about the former U.S. Air Force mechanic who tried to join ISIS, and NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent Luke Russert about the resignation of Congressman Aaron Schock.
*** Wednesday’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports” line-up: NBC’s Andrea Mitchell continues her live reporting on Israel’s election with Fmr. Ambassador Martin Indyk, Fmr. Ambassador Thomas Pickering, the Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg, Fmr. Palestinian Liberation Organization Spokesperson Diana Buttu and we’ll get other news of the day with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Ron Mott, Katy Tur and msnbc’s Ari Melber.
