Political Machine

By Val Castronovo, Matthew Cooper, Rachel Dry, Daren Fonda, Frank Gibney, Ellin Martens, Benjamin Nugent, Julie Rawe, Max Smith and Josh Tyrangiel

GREEN MILE So far, Honda has sold only 2,000 Insights, the first hybrid gas-electric car to hit U.S. roads. But it seems to have found an unexpected fan base: politicians. Since the $18,880, two-seat 70 m.p.g. runabout became available in December, it has been snapped up by Austin, Texas, Mayor Kirk Watson (who traded in a Chevy Tahoe), San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, Utah Senator Bob Bennett and Maine Governor Angus King. It must be a more painless way of pulling in the green vote than Sierra Club dinners.