Though not Illinois specific is The Moderate Voice. I’ll get him on the blog roll sooner or later here, but I think he has a good post on whether Edwards will be a good pick in the long run.
I sense he’ll be good. For those that hate trial lawyers–remember that people like them a lot in trials (ed. are juries like average voters? good question). I can’t find the post, but Virginia Postrel made this point a long time ago—well actually she has made another post on her front page right now.
That said, Edwards is a natural in a weird way–he can appeal to both the left and the center with his mannerisms and the way he talks. He’ll appeal to white married suburban women and to the near Nader left all in the same speech. Can I explain it? No, but I know it when I see it.
I like him, quite a bit actually though I’d prefer some more experience there like a Bob Graham. But I’m not exactly the target audience. Anyone besides LaRouche with a D by their name would get my vote this year.
No, juries generally are handpicked to be as stupid as possible. The higher the stakes, the more likely both sides will try to go the stupid route. Minor stuff, the lawyers don’t care so much.