It Came from Wasilla  —  Despite her disastrous performance in the 2008 election, Sarah Palin is still the sexiest brand in Republican politics, with a lucrative book contract for her story.  But what Alaska's charismatic governor wants the public to know about herself doesn't always jibe with reality.

Justices Reject Sotomayor Position 9-0 — But Bigger Battles Loom  —  The Supreme Court's predictable 5-4 vote to reverse the decision by Judge Sonia Sotomayor and two federal appeals court colleagues against 17 white (and one Hispanic) plaintiffs in the now-famous New Haven, Conn. …

U.S. Pullout From Iraqi Cities Marked by Holiday  —  BAGHDAD — Iraq declared a public holiday Tuesday to celebrate the official withdrawal of American troops from the country's cities and towns, emptying the streets as many people stayed home because they feared violence.

Oklahoma Legislature to Consider Proclamation Linking the Economic Crisis to Obama's Immoral Policies  —  Recently, Rush Limbaugh explained (if it were not already obvious) how Obama economic policies were the cause of Republican Gov. Mark Sanford's affair with a beautiful Argentinian woman.

AP NewsBreak: SC gov admits additional liaisons  —  COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admitted Tuesday that he saw his Argentine mistress more times than previously disclosed, including what was to be a farewell meeting in New York chaperoned by a spiritual adviser soon after his wife found out about the affair.

AP Interview: Maine Sen. Snowe seeks health care compromise by keeping government plan on hold  —  (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach) (Pat Wellenbach, AP / June 29, 2009)  —  PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Sen. Olympia Snowe, a key figure in shaping federal health care legislation, said Monday …

CNN Poll: Americans don't want to intervene in Iran election crisis  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - A new national poll suggests that that nearly three out of four Americans don't want the U.S. directly intervene in the election crisis in Iran even though most Americans are upset by how the Iranian government …

Vince Lombardi Politics  —  Freud said we're forever changed by the traumas of our youth, and so it is with the Democrats and Clintoncare.  Even as you watch the leading Democrats today in their moment of glory, you can still see wounds caused by the defeat of the Clinton health care initiative.

“The Commission Has Been Road-Blocked”: Republicans' War On The FEC  —  Last fall, James Ross, a New York City resident and a donor to several Democratic organizations, received an unusual letter.  “Your name has been put in our database,” Ross was told.  “We are monitoring all reports of a wide variety of leftist organizations.

Video: Press corps now openly laughing at Obama's backtracking on taxes  —  It's a laugh riot, isn't it?  Actually, they might be laughing more at Gibbs's feeble way of ducking the question than The One's looming broken promise, but in Gibbs's defense, what's he supposed to say?

Queen Michelle the First?  —  Michelle Obama wants a bigger role in her husband's administration, according to The Washington Post.  Unlike Laura Bush, who focused on a few peripheral issues, Obama wants a seat at the table when key policies are made.  —  Obama's new chief of staff …

Gingrich: Obama sides with Castro and Chavez on Honduras  —  Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich accused President Obama of siding with Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez when it comes to the recent coup in Honduras.  Gingrich blasted Obama for opposing the coup in Honduras …

MEDIA SWING FROM PROTESTS IN IRAN TO THE PASSING OF THE KING OF POP  —  In the age of 24 hours news, sometimes it's hard to know how to measure time.  —  Last week the news narrative careened through three distinct, often dramatic phases, and ended overwhelmed by a celebrity story that echoed coverage from more than a decade ago.

Neda in Palestine, Sentenced To Die Alone  —  For over a week, major American news outlets have broadcast on a virtual loop the video of the killing of Neda Agha-Soltan, an unarmed 26-year-old Iranian woman, by Iranian security services.  The poignant footage of Neda dying before a throng …

States brace for shutdowns  —  Time is running out for the legislatures in Arizona, California, Indiana, Mississippi and Pennsylvania to solve budget gaps.  —  Reporting from Indianapolis and Denver — The last time Indiana missed its deadline for passing a budget and had to shut down the government was during the Civil War.

Vulnerable House Dems in GOP sights  —  Republicans believe a handful of junior House Democrats may have taken a career-ending vote by supporting the controversial energy bill last week and are planning to launch an ad campaign in targeted districts to try to seal their fate.

Uncertainty Clouds Recovery of U.S. Investment in GM  —  Carmaker's Shares Would Have to Hit A Historic High  —  If a new General Motors emerges from bankruptcy as planned, U.S. financial aid for the company will expand to nearly $50 billion, but neither the government nor the company …

Amazon Drops More Affiliates to Avoid Tax  —  Amazon.com Inc. ended its business relationships with marketing affiliates in Rhode Island so the online retailer could avoid collecting sales tax in the state.  —  Rhode Island's state legislature recently passed a bill that would force companies …

Cheney Lays Down The Iraq Gauntlet  —  You could see this coming a mile off: having initiated the worst foreign policy decision in recent times, Cheney doesn't want the occupation to end any time soon.  More to the point, he is gearing up to blame Obama if the withdrawal leads to bloodshed or chaos.