Blago's Lawyers Quit En Masse; Millions of Taxpayers Don't Care

Governor Blagojevich's legal team has decided to quit en masse; they say the Senate's impeachment trial will be fundamentally unfair and complain, among other things, that they will not be allowed to subpoena witnesses. Millions of Illinois taxpayers are reportedly holding impromptu demonstrations in their town squares, chanting "Give Rod a chance! Give Rod a chance!" and burning special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald in effigy . . . .

OK, that last part was a lie. I just wanted to get your attention. Is that so wrong?

Here's what I don't get--what's the point of doing this? Do they think Blagojevich can appeal his impeachment? I'm no lawyer, so maybe he can, but I don't see how. If they're not setting him up to appeal on grounds of inadequate counsel, or trying to set up a delay while he finds new lawyers, I don't see the point. It's quite possible that this comes down to Ed Genson figuring the angles and being unable to identify the one thing of absolutely key importance: the source of funding that will step forward with enough cash to pay Blagojevich's legal bills. Without that, Genson's enthusiasm must surely wane. On the one hand, this would be a great case to win as an advertisement to rich guilty people. On the other hand, he's not going to win it, so getting paid for his time is probably moving up on the list.