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.”

Fox Nation Goes Nirther  —  At the Fox Nation website, unrestrained Nirth Certifikit insanity runs rampant in the comments for a video of Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs answering a question from a Nirther journalist (not sure who it is): Should Obama Release Birth Certificate?  Or Is This Old News?

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 …

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.

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?

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.

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.

Burris says blame impeachment panel for their questions, not him for his answers  —  SPRINGFIELD—U.S. Sen. Roland Burris today said he shouldn't be blamed for any lack of candor while under oath earlier this year before a special Illinois House panel about his appointment to the seat …

A California constitutional convention  —  Despite what the pundits say, such a effort isn't the answer to the state's structural problems.  It would take too long, be complicated and controversial, and likely lead to a dead end.  —  Since the defeat of the budget initiatives on May 19 …

Give Montana Girls a Chance  —  A reader vents: Derb — I've been hoping that someone might be bold enough to rain on the Sotomayor “compelling life story” parade.  The woman grew up in the capital of the world, went to two Ivy League schools, and was blessed by Providence …

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.

UN-BROKE: What You Need To Know About Money  —  Schools teach us almost everything, but not “Money 101.”  For the basics on finance, turn to UN-BROKE: What You Need to Know About Money.  It's an unconventional look at the fundamentals of everyday finance with all the facts about credit cards …

U.S. Presses China for Tough Response to North Korea  —  WASHINGTON — The United States is pressing China to consider taking a variety of severe sanctions against North Korea, including the inspection of suspect ships and planes, as it tries to ratchet up the global response …

Aloha man calls 9-1-1 over botched fast-food order  —  ALOHA - For most folks it's not a dilemma.  Given a choice between “a day without sunshine” and a day without jail time, most people will skip the orange juice and stay out of jail.  —  But Raibin Raof Osman isn't most people.

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.

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 …

Pentagon Plans New Arm to Wage Wars in Cyberspace  —  WASHINGTON — The Pentagon plans to create a new military command for cyberspace, administration officials said Thursday, stepping up preparations by the armed forces to conduct both offensive and defensive computer warfare.

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.

New G.M. Plan Gets Support From Key Bondholders  —  As General Motors moved closer to a bankruptcy filing, possibly early next week, attention on Thursday turned again to the bondholders, the most important group that the company has yet to win over for its efforts to start fresh.