• 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.

CLICK HERE, IT'S EASY: Gary Glitter loves Asia too much to leave; Michael Phelps, loner; a ceasefire for McCain and Obama; and bribing kids doesn't work!

• All that glitter: After being released from a Vietnamese prison, British rocker and convicted child sex abuser Gary Glitter refused to go on his merrily, deported way back to Britain. Claiming he was suffering a heart attack earlier today, Glitter refused to board a flight from Bangkok to London and demanded that he be allowed to stay in Thailand or another Asian country with cute kids.

• Everyone totally wants to get in his LAZR: In an Extra interview, Michael Phelps confirms that he's not dating Amanda Beard. When asked if another lucky lady is riding his golden dolphin, Phelps is mum, saying, "Part of my life is kept to myself."

• Quiet time: The campaigns for Barack Obama and John McCain have both decided not to air attack ads on September 11. "We hope Sept. 11th is a day when Americans come together and reaffirm our resolve to address the common challenges we face together," says an Obama spokesman. On September 12, we'll be free to be divided again.

• Rough draft: Russia has rejected a UN Security Council resolution draft calling for it to pull back its forces, saying it contradicts the terms of last week's ceasefire deal brokered by French big cheese Nicolas Sarkozy.

• Pay for pass: New York City is finding that paying students as much as $1,000 to score well on AP tests isn't actually helping more pupils pass them.