* You may have seen this Washington Post story today…

Spread John McCain’s official talking points around the Web — and you could win valuable prizes!

That, in essence, is the McCain campaign’s pitch to supporters to join its new online effort, one that combines the features of “AstroTurf” campaigning with the sort of customer-loyalty programs offered by airlines, hotel chains, restaurants and the occasional daily newspaper.

On McCain’s Web site, visitors are invited to “Spread the Word” about the presumptive Republican nominee by sending campaign-supplied comments to blogs and Web sites under the visitor’s screen name. The site offers sample comments (”John McCain has a comprehensive economic plan . . .”) and a list of dozens of suggested destinations, conveniently broken down into “conservative,” “liberal,” “moderate” and “other” categories. Just cut and paste.

* OK, so I go to the site in question and check out the talking points…

The Issue: Jobs for America

John McCain has a comprehensive economic plan that will create millions of good American jobs, ensure our nation’s energy security, get the government’s budget and spending practices in order, and bring relief to American consumers.

There’s a gray-blue “Suggested Blogs” box in the center of the page with a pulldown menu. Click “Other,” and you’ll see that The Capitol Fax Blog is on the list.

Oy.

I’ve said this many times before, but now that I’m on some target list it’s worth repeating: Please, don’t post canned DC talking points on this blog.

I hate DC talking points more than just about anything in the world.

If I catch you posting these talking points from McCain’s site, I’ll delete your post and probably put you on the “hold for approval” list. And the same goes for Obama’s stuff. Thanks.

*** UPDATE *** IlliniPundit was listed under “Conservative Blogs,” and responds thusly…

I have no idea why they think this is a good idea, or what the “points” awards are good for. IlliniPundit.com is listed with “conservative” blogs, and I have no idea why we’re listed at all and, say, IllinoisReview or McLean County Pundit aren’t. […]

I’m not really into comment moderation or deletion, but if someone is repeatedly copy-and-pasting talking points from McCain or Obama (or anyone else) on here, then that’s a pretty shallow corruption of the whole idea of community discussion we’re trying to foster on here. Our readers and commenters are the most politcally aware people in this part of Illinois, so if you can’t think of something original to say, pasting crap like this isn’t going to persuade anyone, so please don’t do it.

Agreed.

* Bob Reed scoop?

Valerie B.Jarrett, a trusted adviser to Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama, may also be a candidate to succeed him in the U.S. Senate if he should win the White House.

In recent weeks, Jarrett’s name has surfaced within the state’s tightly-knit political and financial circles as a viable possibility for the Senate slot, according to a highly-placed Obama source. Those discussions were confirmed by another high-level Democratic Party operative and corporate source. […]

I don’t mean to make this sound more mysterious than it merits. But I’ve agreed to keep my sources on background. Also note that it’s unclear where this “Jarrett-for-Senate” push originated, or if Obama has participated in any of the recent discussions.

* Dave helps solve the riddle of why Paul McCartney was spotted in Joliet and Springfield by linking to this article in the London Telegraph…

Sir Paul McCartney has hit the road with Nancy Shevell, touring the legendary US Route 66.

The former Beatle, 66, and Nancy, 47 will travel in the classic 1989 Ford Bronco in which they were first spotted kissing.

Their trip takes them from his holiday home in The Hamptons, New York, across country almost 3,000 miles along the most iconic road in the country. They will pass through St Louis, Oklahoma, Amarillo and Albuquerque before ending in Santa Monica, California.

Since leaving last Thursday, they have travelled almost 1,000 miles, and ended up posing for photographs at a service station in Springield, Illinois.

* I have a bunch of FaceBook friends. I don’t require that you actually be a “friend,” but if you send me a FB friend invite and I don’t know you or I barely know you, please have at least something on your FaceBook page that identifies who you are. Thanks.

* I love the fascinating A. Lincoln Blog. The lastest post is no exception…

Little story here about the display of a rather gruesome bit of American history: the 36 star flag used to mop up the blood from Lincoln’s wound on the evening of his assassination.

* Short takes…

* RedEye’s CTA blog asks riders to be online spies

* Prairie State 2.0’s haranguing of Steve Sauerberg produces results. Sort of.

* Hiram Wurf: What Blagojevich got right in Illinois transit

* IlliniPundit: Some of us have been wondering for a long time if any of the mandated reporters in Urbana’s School District would be charged for failing to report suspicions about Jon White when they were first reported.

* From Poverty to Opportunity Campaign: Illinois and other states garner praise for efforts to end poverty

* PI: Tribune Right On Meeks, Wrong on Unions

* Hypertext: The biggest online blunders

* I love my nieces to pieces…