· “The Messiah” visits Metropolis and engages in a little “Do as I say, not as I do” schtick. [Emphasis added, “Messiah” reference explained here.]

Illinois Senator Barack Obama warns citizens at his 50th Town Hall meeting about gas guzzling. It was among many points made to the standing room only audience at the Metropolis Community Center. Obama spoke on everything from DC politics to global warming. He says part of the blame for the world’s higher temperatures rests on gas guzzling vehicles. Obama says consumers can make the difference by switching to higher mileage hybrids. Today the Senator said, “It would save more energy, do more for the environment and create better world security than all the drilling we could do in Alaska.”

After the meeting… Obama left in a GMC Envoy after admitting to favoring SUV’s himself.

· As I noted in Morning Shorts today, Phil Hare’s new website is up and running, if somewhat content-free. But a commenter pointed out that Phil’s photo on the front page is a bit bizarre. I really do like Phil, but he absolutely must get a new web consultant. Just look at this monstrosity of a graphic:

· Birkett fundraising event features a skit with two (count ‘em) public displays of man-on-man affection. But a conservative commenter thought it was the funniest part of the show. I’m not sure which point amuses me more. [OK, she said most memorable, not funniest. That makes more sense.]

· Flashback. This week, the governor compared himself to Abraham Lincoln. Last year, he compared his fight against violent video games to the push for child labor laws a century ago.

· UPDATE: Oops. Almost forgot my favorite funny during the past couple of days. From The Daley Show:

Illinois guard units to patrol Wisconsin border

SPRINGFIELD (ap) - Illinois has promised National Guard troops to fight unwanted Cheeseheads, Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s office said Monday.

About 200 Army and Air National Guard personnel will be deployed in 2007 as part of their annual two weeks of training, spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said.

The troops will be deployed to provide support to tollway officials patrolling the Illinois border with Wisconsin to stem the flow of illegal dairy products and their purveyors into this state.

“Illinois can recall its soldiers and equipment if a need arises to send them to Iraq,” Ottenhoff said.