[KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images]

Leave it to Al Franken, now in his seventh day as a U.S. senator, to cut to the chase. Rather than ask Sonia Sotomayor even more airy questions about case law and judicial precedence, Franken figured the best way to decide whether to give her the job was to treat her hearings like a job interview. Why do you think you'd be a good Supreme Court justice? he posed her simply. Sotomayor asked if she could paint him a picture: "Can I tell you a story?"  Franken agreed. She took the senator and the hearing room back to the early days of her career, when she was being considered for a federal judgeship in New York. Her mom, Celina, upon hearing that her daughter could land the prestigious position, was as pleased as any mother would be. But all of the prospects that initially excited Mom─big money, foreign travel, cushy client benefits─the judge-to-be systematically shot down, explaining that the job wouldn't come with many, if any, frills. Rather, it was about public service. She explained she had a "sense of importance about the rule of law, how it's central to our society," and described her passion that "led me to want to be a lawyer first and now a judge. I can't think of any greater service that I can give to the country than if I were given the privilege to be a justice of the Supreme Court." The answer was good enough for Franken, but some at the press tables were wondering how Sotomayor, seasoned in legal-speak, could have spun another classic job-interview question: what's your biggest weakness?

For four days now, Judge Sonia Sotomayor has been asked and answered dozens of questions, some about her record, some about her personal history. Though no issue has been the topic of as many questions as Sotomayor's "wise Latina" comment, a remark the judge made in speeches on more than half a dozen occasions, suggesting that her life experiences as a Latina woman would lead to better judicial conclusions than conclusions by white men. The members questioning her on the Senate Judiciary Committee─all of whom are white, most of whom are men─have taken the comment as evidence that Sotomayor would be a judicial radical on the bench, legislating the will of the demographic groups she represents. So everyone in the hearing room took notice when Sen. Lindsey Graham (who's led the way, by far, in condescending questions) tried to put the issue to rest. As his time to ask questions was winding down, he gave Sotomayor the floor. "Last question on the 'wise Latino [sic] woman' comment: to those who may be bothered by that, what do you say?" Careful to choose the right words, Sotomayor searched for something definitive. "I regret that I have offended some people [pause]. I believe that my life demonstrates that that was not my intent, to leave the impression that some have taken from my words." Then, surprising virtually everyone, Graham squinted his eyes, nodded slightly, and gave in. "You know what, Judge?" he asked dramatically. "I agree with you. Good luck."

Although there's some superserious work churning through the halls of power on Capitol Hill at the moment─confirming a Supreme Court justice, reinventing health care─there's also some summer fun in the works. It always happens around this time of year: Congress is marching inexorably toward August recess and staffers start to taste freedom. It's almost like the last few weeks of senior year. So it's the perfect time for lobbyists to plan attention-grabbing stunts. Yesterday it was PETA's turn. The animal-rights group hosted their annual Veggie Dog Lunch, giving out around 400 meat-free hot dogs to passersby. But the main attraction was the servers: a pair of Playboy Playmates, clad only in lettuce-leaf and rhinestone bikinis, and, of course, heels. (You can see video of the event here.)

And tonight? Well this event comes from the opposite end of the culinary spectrum. Courtesy of the Western Business Roundtable, politicos will have a chance to sample Rocky Mountain Oysters. No, they're not actual oysters. Rather it's a euphemism for bull testicles, considered a delicacy in some parts. Apparently the "oysters" are breaded, fried, and served with a selection of dipping sauces. The dish is sometimes called "Montana tendergroins" or "cowboy caviar." According to the Roundtable's press release, they're trying to bring back some "cojones" to the Hill. Here's Roundtable CEO Jim Sims: "Hill staff love them, although I'm not certain that everyone knows the dish's derivation.  A number of members of Congress from the West come by early just to make sure they can grab some before they are gone. I can't say that I have seen many news media folks try them, but hope springs eternal in the quest to better educate folks in the Beltway media crowd about life outside the Beltway." Giddyup!

Gallup has released the results of a survey about potential GOP 2012 nominees, and it contains much good news for Mitt Romney fans. Among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, the former Massachusetts governor just beats out Sarah Palin in the preferred-nominee stakes (26%-21%), with Mike Huckabee coming in third (19%), followed by Newt Gingrich (14%). Two sitting governors whom pundits consider strong contenders─Minnesota's Tim Pawlenty and Mississippi's Haley Barbour─both polled poorly, but that's likely due to their low name recognition outside the Beltway.

The other good news for Romney is that his unfavorable rating among all voters has dropped substantially since he exited last year's presidential race. Back then, his unfavorables far outweighed his favorability: 46% to 34%. In this latest poll, that dynamic has flipped, with 37% of respondents viewing Romney favorably and 29% unfavorably. That's a 17-point drop in his unfavorables. However, the number of people expressing "no opinion" about Romney has increased. This could cut either way, but fortunately for him, he's got three years to win them over. 

There's good news for Palin, too: her resignation doesn't appear to have altered her overall favorability ratings, which seem largely unchanged since the election. The country remains divided about her, with 43% viewing her favorably and 45% unfavorably. The only group that appears to have been affected by the resignation is Republicans. Her unfavorability among GOPers has risen, but she's still overwhelmingly popular with them: 72% view her favorably. You can read the full results here.

The poll illustrates an interesting disconnect, and one that should be of concern to the Palin camp. She's clearly the most popular figure in the Republican Party, yet Republicans aren't sure they want her as president. Does she need more time to learn her craft? Maybe Republicans are satisfied just to have her voice in the party, but don't see her leading it. Maybe GOPers would prefer to see her on TV than in the Oval Office. What do you think? Post your thoughts in the comments and I'll respond later today.