Sotomayor's Sharp Tongue Raises Issue of Temperament  —  WASHINGTON — Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, has a blunt and even testy side, and it was on display in December at an argument before the full federal appeals court in New York.

Kicking & Screaming: Journo Dragged From Near AF1  —  A reporter for a small newspaper was forcibly removed from a press area near Air Force One shortly before President Barack Obama arrived at Los Angeles International Airport to depart California early Thursday.

THERE IS NO CAR-DEALER CONSPIRACY.... A whole lot of right-wing blogs are worked up today over a report about the political affiliations of Chrysler dealers who've been shut down. … Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), who has a dealership that will close, called this “an outrage.”

Pentagon denies report Iraq prison photos show rape  —  The Pentagon on Thursday denied a British newspaper report that photographs of Iraqi prisoner abuse, whose release U.S. President Barack Obama wants to block, include images of apparent rape and sexual abuse.

Sestak: Not Even Obama Can Talk Me Out Of Challenging Specter  —  In another sign of his determination to challenge Arlen Specter in the 2010 Democratic primary, Joe Sestak just told me in an interview that not even a personal plea from President Obama himself could dissuade him from making the race.

The Peter Principle  —  We hang together or hang separately. … All of us, every single person regardless of political persuasion who reads this, have a tendency to deny our friends and fellow travelers at times.  All of us.  —  Peter, under pressure and fear, denied Christ not just once, but three times.

Nelson Now Open To Public Health Care, Baucus Will Fight For It  —  The push to include a public health care option as part of a system-wide overhaul benefited from two major boosts Wednesday.  Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), the chairman of the Finance Committee and lead health care negotiator …

OBAMA: BUYER'S REMORSE  —  Admittedly, I was one of the moderate conservatives who was wooed by Obama during his PR campaign to become the country's next president.  Sadly, even though I was still unsure of my vote until the week before the election, I know better now.

Evidence mounts that recession may be ending  —  But the economy's bounce along the bottom may be a very bumpy ride  —  msnbc.com staff and news service reports  —  The economy is throwing off signals that it may be bumping along the bottom, and the ride is likely to be rough.

Nader Accuses McAuliffe of Suppressing Votes  —  Consumer activist Ralph Nader accused Terry McAuliffe Thursday of orchestrating an effort to remove him from the presidential ballot in 2004 when McAuliffe was chairman of the Democratic National Committee.  —  Nader said that McAuliffe offered …

Obama Rings Up Cash Among the Stars  —  The president basked in the glow of his Hollywood supporters.  —  BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - The state budget may be severely overdrawn, but the California political A.T.M. seems to be working just fine.  —  President Obama arrived at a back-to-back fund-raising dinner …

Costs of dismissed Palin ethics complaints pile up  —  Personnel board member says tab is “close to about a third of a million dollars.”  —  scockerham@adn.com  —  The Alaska Personnel Board, clearly frustrated with the pile of ethics complaints filed against Gov. Sarah Palin, wants to publicize the cost of dealing with them.

The 10 Most Powerful Political Daughters  —  For more from Carlos, check out “How the Prop 8 Ruling Will Help Gay Marriage” and “Torture Won't Be Solved on Cable News.”  —  Father's Day  —  is still a few weeks off, but in the loving world of politics—some daughters have already given generous gifts to Dad.

Gov. Crist signs $66.5 billion budget, breaks tax pledge  —  TALLAHASSEE — Breaking a pledge against raising taxes, Gov. Charlie Crist signed Florida's $66.5 billion budget into law Wednesday and barely used his veto pen.  —  Crist vetoed only two items: a small pay cut for some state workers …

Why did Obama add Saudi Arabia to his itinerary?  —  The Arab media is buzzing today over the announcement that President Obama will travel to Riyadh before arriving in Cairo for his big address to the Islamic world.  Why the late addition to his itinerary?