NPR reports that former White House lawyer Greg Craig is off the John Edwards defense team and that “friends” say one reason is that Edwards can’t afford him. Attorney Abbe Lowell is in, and I think politico.com hits on a more believable reason for the switch.

Lowell, who recently rejoined Chadbourne & Parke, is currently representing former Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) in an investigation into very similar claims that gifts made in connection with an affair he had may have actually been campaign donations. Ensign has not been indicted. Lowell also handled high-profile cases involving lobbyist Jack Abramoff and another involving the prosecution of two pro-Israel lobbyists for allegedly illegally handling classified information.

Regardless of who argues the case, I continue to be skeptical of the prosecution’s case that the cash to hide Rielle Hunter was a violation of campaign finance law. Edwards’ actions are despicable and deceitful, but I’ll be surprised if they’re deemed criminal by a court.