DENVER – U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill. – “the second-best known senator from Illinois,’’ as he calls himself – addressed the Illinois delegation to the Democratic National Convention this morning. Some highlights:

– Hillary Clinton’s Tuesday speech “hit the ball out of the park’’ in its goal of coaxing her supporters to back Barack Obama. Nonetheless: “I know some, maybe even some in this room, are still struggling.’’

– On Joe Biden: “Just add water – instant candidate.’’ He meant it in a good way, referring to the fact the Biden won’t need to learn how to campaign.

– He notes Illinois could be in line for its third president. “Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and now Barack Obama.’’ (He might want to ditch that line in the future; Grant is generally considered to have been a lousy president.)

– Best laugh line: When President George W. Bush returns to Texas, he should “take Cheney and McCain with him – they can go out hunting together.’’