Mueller's testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, just concluded this afternoon, was stronger than his testimony before House Judiciary Committee this morning.
Schiff's opening and closing statements were both powerful, in contrast to Nader's, whose opening statement and questions were excellent, but whose closing statements were not memorable. In general, Mueller answered more questions, and gave fuller answers. He has a genuine passion about doing something to stop Russian interference in our electoral process.
Unlike in previous years, Republicans do not share this, certainly not with the same passion. This left the field open to the Democrats, who probed Trump's alliance as a candidate with Russians continuously and effectively. In contrast, Republicans resorted to their typical tactic of yammering about straw-men, this time characters named Joseph Misfit and Kathleen Cadillac (well, that's what they sounded like).
But Russian interference with our last election, and the certainty that they will at least try to do it again, is no laughing matter. If this afternoon's testimony wakes up more Americans to this problem, Mueller's appearance will have been worthwhile.
Whether this and the morning's testimony will empower the move towards impeachment, and/or the success of Democrats in the 2020 election for President and regaining the Senate, remains to be seen. My guess is it won't do much for the first, certainly won't in itself lead to impeachment in the House, but may well have strong underlying effect in the next election, leading to Democratic success at the polls.
See also Reflections on Mueller's Testimony Before House Judiciary Committee, This Morning
Schiff's opening and closing statements were both powerful, in contrast to Nader's, whose opening statement and questions were excellent, but whose closing statements were not memorable. In general, Mueller answered more questions, and gave fuller answers. He has a genuine passion about doing something to stop Russian interference in our electoral process.
Unlike in previous years, Republicans do not share this, certainly not with the same passion. This left the field open to the Democrats, who probed Trump's alliance as a candidate with Russians continuously and effectively. In contrast, Republicans resorted to their typical tactic of yammering about straw-men, this time characters named Joseph Misfit and Kathleen Cadillac (well, that's what they sounded like).
But Russian interference with our last election, and the certainty that they will at least try to do it again, is no laughing matter. If this afternoon's testimony wakes up more Americans to this problem, Mueller's appearance will have been worthwhile.
Whether this and the morning's testimony will empower the move towards impeachment, and/or the success of Democrats in the 2020 election for President and regaining the Senate, remains to be seen. My guess is it won't do much for the first, certainly won't in itself lead to impeachment in the House, but may well have strong underlying effect in the next election, leading to Democratic success at the polls.
See also Reflections on Mueller's Testimony Before House Judiciary Committee, This Morning
2 comments:
Mueller is a gentleman from a certain class, culture, era, age, and status that encourages him to be slow and thoughtful, non partisan, upright, responsible and deliberative in his responses.
I was glad to see he offered more responses in the afternoon.
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