BET Political Wire: March Madness Begins

Rodman tries diplomacy; Romney yearns for the White House.

In Case You Missed It - Republicans leave President Obama scratching his head; Ben Carson kind of blames the spread of measles on immigrants; one lawmaker thinks it's OK if your food service worker doesn't wash his hands after a bathroom break — and more. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)

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In Case You Missed It - Dennis Rodman tries his hand at diplomacy, a Connecticut state representative says no to female interns, Bill Cosby slams the GOP, Mitt Romney is still stinging from his White House loss – and more. – Joyce Jones

Ambassador Rodman? - Hall of Fame basketball star Dennis Rodman is raising eyebrows for more than his curious style. After returning from a trip to North Korea where he met with dictator Kim Jong-Un, he has a message for President Obama "He wants Obama to do one thing: Call him. He said, 'If you can, Dennis, I don't want [to] do war. I don’t want to do war.' He said that to me," Rodman announced on ABC's This Week. (Photo: AP Photo/Kyodo News)

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Ambassador Rodman? - Hall of Fame basketball star Dennis Rodman is raising eyebrows for more than his curious style. After returning from a trip to North Korea where he met with dictator Kim Jong-Un, he has a message for President Obama "He wants Obama to do one thing: Call him. He said, 'If you can, Dennis, I don't want [to] do war. I don’t want to do war.' He said that to me," Rodman announced on ABC's This Week. (Photo: AP Photo/Kyodo News)

Shaquille O'Neal - @SHAQ: Thoughts & Prayers go out to the people of Boston... Very Sad News. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Shaq Attack - Former basketball great Shaquille O'Neal like many doesn't understand what possessed Dennis Rodman to travel to North Korea to visit with dictator Kim Jong-Un. "I think we as people should understand our roles in life," O'Neal said on CBS This Morning. "And I think certain people should leave diplomacy to the diplomats. It was a very, very risky move what he did." (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Not Over It - Mitt Romney is still nursing his wounds over losing his White House bid in 2012. And watching Obama and Congress battle over taxes and budget cuts exacerbates the sting. "It kills me not to be there, not to be in the White House doing what needs to be done," said the Republican on Fox News Sunday, adding that Obama is campaigning instead of leading.  (Photo: AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)

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Not Over It - Mitt Romney is still nursing his wounds over losing his White House bid in 2012. And watching Obama and Congress battle over taxes and budget cuts exacerbates the sting. "It kills me not to be there, not to be in the White House doing what needs to be done," said the Republican on Fox News Sunday, adding that Obama is campaigning instead of leading. (Photo: AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)

State Rep. Ernest Hewett (D-Connecticut) - "That may sound sexist, but I really don't, [want female interns working in his office," said Connecticut state Rep. Ernest Hewett, the father of two daughters and a son. "That way, that keeps me good and that keeps everybody else good."  (Photo: Courtesy of the Connecticut House Democrats)

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Chauvinist Much? - Connecticut state Rep. Ernest Hewett has been stripped of his deputy speaker leadership position as the result of a lewd comment made to teenage girl during a hearing in February. Now he says he doesn't want female interns working in his office. "That may sound sexist, but I really don't," said the father of two daughters and a son. "That way, that keeps me good and that keeps everybody else good." (Photo: House Dems of Connecticut)

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Do I Hear $750,000? - The ill-gotten gains purchased by former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife Sandi may be put up for auction. Furs, TV, a Rolex watch and celebrity memorabilia are among the items that could be sold, as well as exotic fare like mounted elks heads. The proceeds would go toward paying restitution to the government for the $750,000 in campaign funds the couple stole. (Photo: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

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Do I Hear $750,000? - The ill-gotten gains purchased by former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife Sandi may be put up for auction. Furs, TV, a Rolex watch and celebrity memorabilia are among the items that could be sold, as well as exotic fare like mounted elks heads. The proceeds would go toward paying restitution to the government for the $750,000 in campaign funds the couple stole. (Photo: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

Allen West\r - Rep. Allen West is the top choice of former White House contender Herman Cain, who said on the conservative Steve Gill Show that West would provide a big boost in Florida, a key swing state. Cain clearly has forgotten West’s verbal attacks on fellow Florida congresswoman and Democratic National Committee chairman Debbie Wasserman Schultz as well other fiery statements, which would send shivers up Romney’s risk-averse spine.\r \r(Photo: Ron Sachs / CNP/DPA /LANDOV)

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At Their Service - Former congressman Allen West still isn't interested in running for office again, but he does want to help others get elected through the Allen West Foundation. "The most important thing is, we want to be able to add a voice for minority and military conservatives – to support inclusiveness," said West, who hopes prospective candidates will benefit from his experience. (Photo: Ron Sachs / CNP DPA /LANDOV)

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Closed - The White House is feeling the pinch of the sequester's automatic budget cuts and has canceled public tours of the historic landmark until further notice. "While I'm disappointed the White House has chosen to comply with sequestration by cutting public tours, I'm pleased to assure you that public tours of the United States Capitol will continue," House Speaker Boehner wrote in an email to constituents. Another lawmaker has proposed that Obama cancel all golf outings until the tours resume. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Photo By Alex Wong/Getty Images

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi) - "The threat from ISIL is legitimate and serious — and it is evident that protecting the United States and its interests from this dangerous organization should not be a partisan issue," said Thompson, ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee. "While I appreciate the president for outlining a strategy for dismantling the organization, both Congress and the executive branch should understand the situation in Syria is complex, challenging, and fluid.  As we pursue action, we must make sure we thoroughly vet our Syrian allies and ensure our intelligence and information sharing efforts with our international coalition partners are robust and reciprocated.”  (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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A Higher Authority - Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson has asked the FBI to investigate the death of Marco McMillian, an openly gay mayoral candidate who was found slain last week. “If another set of eyes looking at it would provide additional information, I think it would be helpful to the McMillian family," Thompson told The Associated Press. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Plan B - Delaware Sen. Chris Coons hopes that the Supreme Court will uphold Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, but if not, he's got a plan. At a Judiciary Committee hearing on March 6, the Democrat offered to work with Attorney General Eric Holder on "expedited proceedings or for special ways to make sure that voting cases still get heard, and some either reauthorization or strengthening or replacement for the Voting Rights Act."  (Photo: REUTERS/Tim Shaffer)

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Plan B - Delaware Sen. Chris Coons hopes that the Supreme Court will uphold Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, but if not, he's got a plan. At a Judiciary Committee hearing on March 6, the Democrat offered to work with Attorney General Eric Holder on "expedited proceedings or for special ways to make sure that voting cases still get heard, and some either reauthorization or strengthening or replacement for the Voting Rights Act." (Photo: REUTERS/Tim Shaffer)

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Not Your Great-Great-Grandpa's GOP - Actor/educator Bill Cosby slammed Republicans on CNN's Starting Point. "[This] Republican Party is not the Republican Party of 1863, of Abraham Lincoln, abolitionists and slavery, is not good," he said. "I think it's important for us to look at the underlying part of it. What is the value of it? Is it that some people are angry because my people no longer want to work for free?" (Photo: CNN)