Mueller Was Not Up to the Task -- Not Close

[tgards79]

For those of you who think Mueller did a fine job, from the Washington Post:

The WashPost's Matt Zapotosky and Rachael Bade report:

"After Mueller’s halting, sometimes confused testimony, ... some lawmakers are privately wondering ... whether they were right to force him to testify."
"During a break, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) ... warned lawmakers on the second panel to slow down, shorten their questions and speak louder so Mueller could follow better."
Some told the Post they had no choice. "We didn’t invite Robert De Niro to testify. We invited Robert Mueller, and he is a straight shooter who stuck to the report," said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), referring to "Saturday Night Live" portrayal of Mueller.

Another House Democrat said: "It was a painful reminder that age catches up to all of us."

[marble falls]

1. Claptrap ...

How many more time and how much clearer do you want him to say:

1. The president lied.
2. The president participated in covering up election violations.
3. The president is criminally culpable once he leaves office for high crimes and misdemeanors the Justice department says he can't face indictment for while in office.

I'm sick of this kind of talk and haven't been able to figure out what the goal of it is: a misguided attempt to fire us up or to attempt to suppress the Democratic vote in 2020.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. I'd strengthen that to "Bullshit!"

The chattering classes wanted a performance, and when the tenor's voice broke during "Nessun dorma" because he wasn't Pavarotti but just an old lawyer, they decided the whole hearing was worthless. If it isn't riveting reality TV and it can't be summed p in a bumper sticker we aren't interested.

[marble falls]

9. I would too, but I've been counciled I might be using that term too much lately.

[tgards79]

16. The purpose

He is not convincing the GOP of anything. Neither will impeachment. Keep investigating, but don't impeach. The purpose is to stop this impeachment bandwagon. An acquittal will help Trump. And we will lose the House, because all those swing districts that we flipped by 5% on average will go back to the GOP.

[marble falls]

20. No ones convincing the GOP of anything. NO.ONE. Not one GOP legislator ...

thinks Donnie Two Scoups is a racist and even Donnie's own words don't convince them.

[guillaumeb]

28. Unfounded speculation.

Robert Mueller's testimony was too dry, to lacking in "optics" for the US corporate media,
and many voters.

For this I blame
1) the very nature of the broadcast media, and
2) the fact that the US media is corporate controlled and conservative, and
3) the existence of propaganda outlets such as FOX and right wing radio, and
4) the fact that many people confuse what is called "reality television" with actual reality.

[tgards79]

35. You don't blame Mueller at all?

1) Refusal to go beyond his report
2) Refusal to explain his report in plain language
3) Refusal to even READ his report
4) I can't blame him for being past his prime, but he looks dazed and confused, and not at all in command of his material

[guillaumeb]

37. Ageism and nonsense.

He explained a legal report in legal language.

And no one could remember every detail of a 448 page Report.

[Thekaspervote]

50. This!! "Legal ease" is not very exciting...unlike what is on the big screen

[guillaumeb]

67. True, and for people raised on a diet of "reality television", reality itself is not exciting. eom

[H2O Man]

71. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you!

[Cartaphelius]

46. He provided

FACTS than neither the Trump Administration, republicons, in general,
the religious right, the exploding number of right wing media outlets, white
nationalists, or the russians have, or ever will.

[H2O Man]

70. silly

[treestar]

72. He was not dazed and confused

And stammer or halting here and there is not the end of the world. The Orange madman speaks in word salad. Mueller does not.

[Fiendish Thingy]

43. Your opinion is nothing but fear based defeatism with no evidence to back it up

Lose the house? If we impeach, I think it's more likely we will gain seats, especially if we nominate someone who will energize the youth vote.

Some things are more important than elections- protecting the Constitution and preserving the rule of law, for example.

[JI7]

45. GOP doesn't need convincing. their issue is they don't care. not that they need

to be convinced of anything.

[Cartaphelius]

41. You... Can report this post

to the Administrators as a right-wing talking point, which literally and figuratively means, bullshit.

[RANDYWILDMAN]

49. Mueller was fine

But why didn't he and his team chase the money...was that intentional??

Also what the heck did they let Flynn off with a recco of no jail time????

[Iliyah]

2. I call bull.

He did what he said he would do. That took guts.

[shraby]

3. As far as I could see, he did a bang up job. He answered what

questions he was allowed to, particularly in the obstruction part.

Some of the questions were about ongoing investigations in the counter intelligence division in the FBI. That covers spies and conspiracies against the United States.

Woe be to trump because this is all going to sink him into a cell block.

[True Blue American]

15. Why are such top posts allowed to remain when they sound like Republican or Russian trolling?

Mueller did a fine job and Democratic leaders exposed Trump for what he is with concise and accurate questions that Mueller answered honestly.

If I wanted a Reality show I would watch,” naked And Afraid!”

[Thekaspervote]

53. Thank you!! A voice of sanity

[Hoyt]

5. I thought his appearance was much better than his report.

But it took him awhile to open up about his report and his statements -including that morning — that investigators found no evidence that trump campaign conspired, cooperated, whatever one wants to call it, with the Russians.

[marble falls]

13. You and I were watching the same hearings. We have the same take away ...

It would seem some people aren't satisfied because Mueller wasn't amped on Red Bull or forgot to set his hair on fire.

[tgards79]

18. Oh come on, he was AWFUL!

He bumbled and stumbled and said "that's in the report" about 1,000 times, he gave no life to the narrative and he diminished the report. You are deluding yourself if you feel otherwise.

[marble falls]

23. He bumbled on nothing. Maybe if you had watched it. The delusion is your OP.

[tgards79]

36. I watched the entire thing!

Morning and afternoon. He was hideous. It was appalling. And I am a die-hard Democrat and hate Trump with a passion and worked for Obama and Hillary for hours, days, weekend on end.

[Thekaspervote]

54. It was not meant to be entertaining

[True Blue American]

60. Democratic Leaders asked question

Mueller answered every question put to him Adam Schiff did the best, concise, expert questins that any great Prosecutor would do .

Mueller did not answer foolish questions. Republicans looked like the dumb asses they are and now are moving ahead with the investigation

[guillaumeb]

29. From my post yesterday:

Robert Mueller's testimony was too dry, to lacking in "optics" for the US corporate media,
and many voters.

For this I blame
1) the very nature of the broadcast media, and
2) the fact that the US media is corporate controlled and conservative, and
3) the existence of propaganda outlets such as FOX and right wing radio, and
4) the fact that many people confuse what is called "reality television" with actual reality.

[UniteFightBack]

57. Yes he was....I call em as I see em no matter if I wish it was different. nt

[emmaverybo]

27. Lol. "Forgot to set his hair on fire"

[UniteFightBack]

6. It's true he was not the best TV witness and that is what we need. nt

[triron]

7. Why is the media bashing Mueller's testimony?

[True Blue American]

17. Why are posters here

Doing the same thing?

[Thekaspervote]

55. Good question!!

[UniteFightBack]

59. Is it bashing or making an observation that any objective person clearly saw. nt

[True Blue American]

62. Yes, when they lie about the hearing!

Next question?

[uponit7771]

8. Our country is being attacked but since Mueller didn't twerk on the witness stand he did terrible

[radical noodle]

10. I think his hearing, not his acuity

is an issue. I had trouble keeping up with some of their questions in the first round and we need to remember that he was aware that any misstep would be magnified. He had to be certain that he was clear on the question before he answered. He probably needs some good hearing aids.

[snowybirdie]

11. Interesting

how do many here are sporting right wing talking points. He was clear and definite in his answers. Maybe stumbling at times because who amongst us can remember every paragraph of a report of 450 pages? He he wasn't given time by republicans to find what they cited. And did you notice how the republicans spoke quickly so as to confuse? Watch it again with an open mind.

[True Blue American]

19. I have it on DVR

To watch again.

[tgards79]

22. He was not clear and definite!

He was not clear and definite! He was halting and confused. He did not convey mastery of the material. He refused to read his report. He set the cause back. He changed no one's minds. And, as expected, he brought no new material. I'm as liberal as they come. Does that mean I'm supposed to agree with your talking points? And pretend he was sensational?

[Thekaspervote]

58. His testimony was concise and truthful... unless you are an attorney to say he did not convey

Mastery of the material is just not so

[COLGATE4]

68. I am an attorney (31 years +)

and, unfortunately I agree that he did not convey mastery of the material. Sorry, but that doesn't change the fact.

[UniteFightBack]

61. But he answered yes a bunch of times...well generally. nt

[True Blue American]

65. Mueller was nervous when he first came in, but as Republicans attacked him you could

See that spine stiffen. He was careful in what he answered.



He even made fun of Louie Gohmart’s ignorant ranting, cauusing the audience to laugh at Gohmart.

Maybe you should watch it again, check your reality show at the door.

[treestar]

73. Who cares ?

The facts are what matter.

[ornotna]

12. Nonsense

[marble falls]

14. GREAT REPLY! +1000!

[cilla4progress]

21. I agree he did an admirable job.

Has anyone considered that, given his reticence, perhaps he CHOSE to be a boring witness, i.e., no blockbuster revelations?

1) He's already dedicated 2 years to this. It's up to Congress now.

2) He told everyone he didn't want to testify. What would be his motivation to be captivating?

3) He testified honestly, crisply, and thoroughly. Watch the spin. It's evil.

[tgards79]

24. Of course that was his plan.

His plan to was reveal nothing further than the report. BUt he could have tried to explain the report so that the average American could understand it, not rabid people (like me) who inhale this stuff and read the report the minute it came out. And as for point #3, I'm sorry but he was anything but "crisp." He was the antithesis of crisp. He was abrupt at best, and confused at worst.

[Thekaspervote]

63. Why would you expect it to be "crisp?" He's an attorney, many of which are dry and non witty

I’ll take truthful and dry any day over witty.

[dem4decades]

25. Did anyone ask a question of Zebley, the guy that actually ran the day to day inquiry?

[Lars39]

30. Not directly.

There was one question Mueller tried to pass off to him, but the questioner wanted Mueller himself to answer instead.

[dem4decades]

31. Maybe that was a mistake. Will they get another shot at him?

[Lars39]

33. I think that opened the door to him being questioned later.

[guillaumeb]

26. Nonsense.

From my post:

Robert Mueller's testimony was too dry, to lacking in "optics" for the US corporate media,
and many voters.

For this I blame
1) the very nature of the broadcast media, and
2) the fact that the US media is corporate controlled and conservative, and
3) the existence of propaganda outlets such as FOX and right wing radio, and
4) the fact that many people confuse what is called "reality television" with actual reality.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212323995

[tgards79]

39. If we are repeating posts...

Here is my response to you (again):

I blame Mueller because of his:

1) Refusal to go beyond his report
2) Refusal to explain his report in plain language
3) Refusal to even READ his report
4) I can't blame him for being past his prime, but he looks dazed and confused, and not at all in command of his material

[blogslut]

32. Mueller didn't break down and admit he ordered the Code Red.

I see.

[Frustratedlady]

34. Well, my take is that those questioning spoke too fast and often aimed down at their table...

since they were on a 5-minute limit and because they didn't have their questions memorized so they could speak directly toward Mr. Mueller.

Those who are criticizing Mueller should be criticizing Repukes and Trump, since they seem to be under the impression that Mueller exonerated Trump and that there was no collusion or obstruction. Mueller never even hinted such a thing.

For his age and all the circus around him, I thought he did admirably. Oh that his critics will be able to say the same under those circumstances when they reach 75. Give the guy credit.

[spanone]

38. I heard that 'privately wondering' earlier today, what a load of horseshit

[panader0]

40. Let's see--37 replies and one recommendation.

That should tell you what people here think of your opinion.

[nini]

42. yea.. let's keep talking about how he said something, NOT WHAT HE SAID

mother of GAWD.. let's stop adding to the distraction here and focus on what he said.

[treestar]

74. +100000

Form over substance is what the pundits do.

[Hekate]

44. The ones who were not up to the task were GOP Representatives & Senators

The task in this case being to defend the US Constitution and the US against foreign invasion.

They did a great job, otoh, of Gish-galloping so fast no one could catch what they were saying, except it was in a hectoring tone.

[bluestarone]

48. Terrible thread here!

Mueller was spot on! I have total respect for him under the pressure he had on him! Her was right on target when asked if tRUMP were not the president WOULD HE INDICT HIM? HIS answer was YES!!!!! what the fuck more do we need? Update to say this was directed to Original poster (tgards79)

[Hekate]

66. Agreed

[Igel]

47. Before you can say he was up to the task or not

you have to define the task.

I suspect he'd define the task differently from Swalwell.

His task was to answer questions about the report as best he could. He fumbled a time or two--at one point he corrected something in the afternoon that, he said, he "misspoke" concerning in the morning.

I personally think he got the reasoning a bit wrong about the OLC opinion. Notice that for "collusion" (and the variant terms) he came to a determination. For obstruction--which is looking more and more to be the entire reason for the counterintelligence probe that became a criminal probe about Russian interference become an obstruction of justice probe--he did not. There's nothing keeping him from the decision that an indictment wouldn't have probable cause, that it would but have crappy chances of success, or it would have probable cause and have a very good chance of success.

[elocs]

51. The trouble here is that so many had an exacted and unrealistic view of what Mueller would do.

Like he was going to bring down the Trump administration all by himself. What ever led anyone to think that Mueller did not believe in the DOJ policy that a sitting president could not be indicted?
Even when he was called to testify, Democrats should have known exactly what they were going to hear and see.

[kentuck]

52. It is something to ponder...

I think the Republicans believed they could control him when he was first chosen to be the Special Counsel. Also, I believe many Democrats were aware that he might not have the stamina to do the investigation that needed to be done? I think this explains why the investigation may have been weighted somewhat with Democratic assistants for him. They felt they had to protect him and the investigation from Republican interference. They also felt the need to cover more ground than Mueller may have done if left to his own pace?

Just my opinion.

[UniteFightBack]

64. Kind of reminds me of a new poster that I know.

[treestar]

69. Bs

He answers the questions.