Trial laywers hedging their bets in 2008

The Times reports today that trial lawyers aren't throwing their weight behind John Edwards the way they did in 2003, largely because the democratic field of candidates is so substantial this year. The defections make sense to me, but what really puzzles me is why so many trial lawyers are backing Joe Biden instead. At their annual convention in Chicago last month, trial lawyers held fundraisers for several of the candidates, and the committee hosting Biden's event was an all-star line up that included past AAJ president Ken Suggs.

Biden, of course, has no chance of winning, so I have to wonder what's driving this. One lawyer suggested to me that some of these big donors are simply true believers who think Biden is the best guy for the job. I'd like to believe that, but I can't help but wonder if at least a few think Biden could end up as a federal judge or attorney/solicitor general (rather than secretary of state, as so many people are speculating) in a democratic administration, where he might be able to return the favor....