Obama Suffers Shrinkage

• Five-point defense: Following John McCain's superior Saddleback Church pandering, recent polls show that Obama's lead is shrinking. A new CNN poll of polls shows the big O with just a three-point lead over John McCain, down from the eight-point lead he had in mid-July.

• Girl power: As anticipated by us (and, well, many others), Air America radio host and favored NBC commentator Rachel Maddow has, rightly, been given her own show on the network, replacing The Verdict's Dan Abrams in the slot following Keith Olbermann's Countdown.

• The shield: As Russia continues to get freaky, the U.S. signed a missile shield deal with Poland earlier today. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice says "It is defensive and is not aimed at anyone," but no one really believes her.

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