Gang of Three revisited. Yawn.

Meanwhile, back in Boston, Mitt Romney and Co. have let drop a hint of the strategy they intend to pursue in his so far unannounced re-election campaign.

The names have changed, but the story's the same, at least as far as state Republicans are concerned.

In the 2002 election, Gov. Mitt Romney mocked Democratic leaders - then-House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran, presumptive Senate President Robert E. Travaglini and Romney's rival, then-Treasurer Shannon P. O'Brien - as Beacon Hill's "Gang of Three."

Romney won the election by seven points and O'Brien later blamed the "Gang of Three" mantra for her defeat. Now there's a new gang, according to the state GOP: House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, attorney general and likely gubernatorial candidate Tom Reilly and Travaglini.

"Hang on to your wallets!" the GOP warned in a news release. "There's a new gang of three on Beacon Hill."

The strategy worked in 2002 because O'Brien shot herself in the foot during the debates, and because Mitt was able to portray himself as a kindhearted moderate. We'll see how that plays out for him next year. Judging from the jokes made at his expense during Sunday's annual St. Patrick's Day breakfast/roast (clip here, scroll down to "Politics, Humor on Menu At Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration") the past few years' travels and GOP campaigning have painted a giant bullseye on his back.