Ousted employee tells Matt Lauer late apology “hard to take,” “not sure” how she’d be treated if she were to return to USDA.

HALPERIN’S TAKE: Based on the first one minute, thirty seconds of Sherrod’s fifteen minutes of fame, she is going to acquit herself quite well. The question is: in what minute will the phone call from the President occur?

And/But: What brazen conservative media voices will turn on a dime from “Fire Sherrod!” to “How dare they fire Sherrod?!?”