Obama Says Afghan Apology "Calmed Things Down," A Tie in Michigan, Kerrey Flips on Running, Romney Armed, Santorum Turns Toward Women "Calmed things Down" - Exclusive - Obama to ABC's Bob Woodruff on Koran Burning Apology President Obama said his formal apology to Afghan President Hamid Karzai for the burning of Korans by U.S. troops last week has "calmed things down" after the incident sparked an outbreak of violence across the country. We're not out of the woods yet. But my criteria in any decision I make, getting recommendations from folks who are actually on the ground, is what is going to best protect our folks and make sure that they can accomplish their mission Everything else - the politics or second guessing of these various decisions - I'm not worried about," Obama said. MORE HERE - http://abcn.ws/AmysYK Contraception Two-Step - Romney Said Today He Opposed the Blunt Amendment to Repeal Obama's Contraception Mandate. His Campaign quickly clarified, saying he was confused by the question - http://abcn.ws/zv3mDZ It's a Tie - In Michigan, at least - Romney and Santorum will each get 15 delegates, according to an ABC News projection. Romney still won the night by securing all the delegates in Arizona - http://abcn.ws/zYtDg3 Romney: Armed, according to Emily Friedman - http://abcn.ws/yAFBJy Did Rick Santorum's Google Problem Solve Itself? - http://abcn.ws/yu0a4I Cokie Roberts on Santorum's Turn Toward Women - http://abcn.ws/yObSO8 A Spring Thaw - Obama, Hill Leaders Seek Common Ground - from Bruce / Parkinson / Miller - For the first time since last summer, President Obama met at the White House this afternoon with congressional leadership to try and identify some areas of legislative common ground. What may be even more unusual than their rare meeting, however, is the positive tone coming out of the discussion, with leaders on both sides of the aisle using words like "fruitful," "hopeful," "cordial" and "substantive" to describe the hour-long meeting. http://abcn.ws/zjrzpJ Who Did Operation Hilarity? Jon Karl Found These School Teachers - Santorum got there with a little help from Democrats - 10 percent of the GOP primary voters in Michigan. And half of them supported him. http://abcn.ws/x7drlJ Despite Romney's Win in Michigan, Super Tuesday Won't Come Easy - http://abcn.ws/yxCLYV Kerrey Flips on Running - Bob Kerrey changed his mind and will now run for Ben Nelson's Senate seat... trying to get his old job back. ABC News" Matt Negrin reports that Kerrey's run will be an uphill battle as he faces "criticism from Republicans that his real home is in New York, not the state where he served as an elected official." Plus, if Ben Nelson was on the bubble in Nebraska, how can Kerrey, who has been supporting health care reform and more, play there? http://abcn.ws/wmGT5s Other Senators and Candidates Who Fall Prey to the Carpetbagging Claim - http://abcn.ws/w5y9Iq Snowe: Senate "Dysfunctional" - Today Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, criticized the Senate as "dysfunctional." Snowe is on her way out of the Senate, having announced yesterday she wouldn't fun for reelection. - http://abcn.ws/z4ak0l Senators Call for a "Wake-Up Call:" Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe's announcement of her retirement and sharp criticism prompted some senators to suggest reassessing the state of Congress. http://abcn.ws/x2M4uW Gold, Silver and Inflation - Paul v. Bernanke - On the Hill today, Ron Paul (still a presidential contender, by the way) to take up his normal post of sparring with Federal Chairman Ben Bernanke. - http://abcn.ws/w08MwY US Official Says Egypt is Lifting the Travel Ban on US NGO Workers: http://abcn.ws/xCHyYC Israel to Take Center Stage in Campaign 2012 - From Jake Tapper: http://abcn.ws/zS6BXV