* We’ve had some back-and-forth here about what the real reason was behind the refusal of a federal underage drinking grant by the Champaign city council and its mayor. The first time I wrote about the refusal in February, I quoted a council member questioning the “morality of accepting federal grant money for local purposes.” Champaign Mayor Jerry Schweighart appeared to agree with that logic at the time.

Several commenters questioned their reasoning, pointing out the large number of U of I students living in Champaign and the local taverns that depend on their underage drinking.

Then, last month, the city council voted to accept a big federal broadband grant, which the mayor had said the council ought to be “careful” about accepting back in February. So, we all figured it was about the booze.

But, now, a new CBS2 report has me wondering whether the first take may have been correct…

You can count Champaign Mayor Jerry Schweighart among those who doubt President Barack Obama’s citizenship.

The third-term Republican was asked Thursday at a Tea Party gathering in Champaign what he thought of Obama and answered, “I don’t think he’s an American, personally.”

“You know, if you’re not willing to produce an original certificate, a birth certificate, then you’ve got something to hide,” he added. “If he doesn’t have something to hide, produce it.”

His statements echo doubts raised by the so-called “birther” movement that has long claimed Obama was born in Kenya and is not eligible to serve as President of the United States.

Here’s the video…

Strange, eh?

*** UPDATE *** The AP called and the mayor is sticking to his story…

The 71-year-old Schweighart told The Associated Press on Friday that he stands by the statement.

“Oh sure,” he said. “My stand, and I don’t understand why everybody is so upset, is he’s never shown the original birth certificate.”

Wow.