Obama has reached sky high popularity here in Illinois - and that's even months before the election.
I personally think he's got the tools for president. Reminds me of Clinton and definitely sounds better than Edwards did.
Edit: Keep in mind Illinois is not what it appears to be [a bastion of liberalism in the midwest]. Look here:
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/20...tes/IL/P/00/index.html
Basically, what keeps Illinois blue is Chicago [obvious], Davenport area, and the Saint Louis area. Everything, and everyone else, is Red or split.
Compare this to Obama's race:
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/20...tes/IL/S/01/index.html
The same places that voted for Bush voted for Obama.
His election is quite the accomplishment, even IF you're running against the carpetbagger known as Alan Keyes. [Shows where keyes was campaigning, too, in the most socially conservative portions of the state]