Prickly Peacock nixes Chicks  —  NBC cancels ads for Dixie docu 'Sing' … The Weinstein Co. is claiming that NBC and the CW have refused to air national ads for the new Dixie Chicks docu "Shut Up & Sing."  —  But while the Peacock has specifically said it won't accept the spots …

Republicans' Hold On the South Gets Test in Tennessee  —  Region's New Demographics  —  May Help Harold Ford Jr.,  —  Centrist Black Candidate  —  Sen. Frist's Seat Up for Grabs  —  KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Race has long been a deciding factor in Southern politics, helping determine …

The Latest October Surprise: Lynne Cheney  —  "Wolf, I have nothing to explain.  Jim Webb has a lot to explain"  —  That was Lynne Cheney an hour ago on CNN.  —  Wolf Blitzer attempted to sandbag Lynne Cheney today, but that the former Chair of the NEH wasn't buying any of it.

Tony Snow-Dick Cheney-waterboarding-a dunk in the water  —  Tony Snow was trying to dance around the fact that Dick Cheney is all for water-boarding no matter how he tries to spin it.  Trying to frame water-boarding as a dunk in the water is not fooling anybody, Tony.  —  CBS has the video

Buzz in Virginia  —  Emails began pouring in earlier today about a rumor on Capitol Hill about some trouble in Sen. George Allen's (R-VA) divorce file.  Josh Marshall and others cannot get a response from the Allen campaign.  —  It seems everyone is emptying their opposition research files today.

Australia Muslim cleric suspended  —  Australia's top Muslim cleric has been barred from preaching for up to three months, after comparing immodestly dressed women to "uncovered meat".  —  Sheikh Taj el-Din al-Hilali's comments, suggesting that women who did not wear a headscarf attracted sexual assault …

Webb Says His Novels 'Inappropriate' for News Radio  —  (CNSNews.com) - In an interview on Washington Post Radio Friday morning, Jim Webb, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Virginia, said excerpts of his novels are "a little bit inappropriate" to be read on news radio.

'South Park' mocks Steve Irwin  —  LONDON, England (CNN) — The cartoon series "South Park" has never been shy of courting controversy, but its latest episode has caused outrage by featuring the recently deceased Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin.  —  Swearing and random death and destruction …

Bloomberg Sends Troops to Help Lieberman  —  In the Lieberman campaign office in Hartford are, from left, Korinne Kubena, Ariel Dvorkin, Crystal Cook and Brian Honan.  All but Ms. Cook are on loan from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York City.  —  In his battle for re-election …

Investigators Say Speaker's Aide Hindered Inquiry of Hill Security Contracts  —  Two former House committee investigators who were examining Capitol Hill security upgrades said a senior aide to Speaker J. Dennis Hastert hindered their efforts before they were abruptly ordered to stop their probe last year.

Deterring Kim Jong Il  —  In an interview aired last week, George Stephanopoulos put the question to President Bush: What would he do if "North Korea sold nukes to Iran or al-Qaeda?"  Bush replied, "They'd be held to account."  —  Seeking specifics, Stephanopoulos asked: "What does that mean?"

Is There Progress Through Loss?  —  A national election, a national decision.  —  A year ago I wrote a column called "A Separate Peace," in which I said America's leaders in all areas—government, business, journalism—were in some deep way checking out.  They saw bad things coming …

2 public buses torched in Paris suburb  —  CLICHY-SOUS-BOIS, France - Police deployed 4,000 reinforcements as marauding youths torched at least two public buses Friday, the anniversary of the deaths of two teenagers that ignited weeks of riots in largely immigrant housing projects across France.

Bush stumps for Jeff Lamberti, keeps calling him "Dave."  —  Watch it: