How Democrats should question Mueller?

[kentuck]

Most expect the Republicans to be very aggressive toward Mueller. Sparks could fly with loose cannons like Jim Jordan asking the questions? Mueller is slow to anger but it could be a big mistake to get on the wrong side of Mueller?

Democrats should question Mr Mueller with respect and stick strictly to his report. They should not confront him and create unnecessary tensions. Leave that to the Republicans.

It would be to the Democrats advantage if Republicans looked angry and disruptive and disrespectful of Mr Mueller. Democrats should give them all the rope they need. The worst thing that could happen in the hearing for the Republicans is if they got on the wrong side of Mr Mueller and forced him to discuss issues he did not plan on discussing.

Democrats should stick to the Report. Let the Republicans fight Mr Mueller.

In my opinion, that would be their best strategy.

[samnsara]

1. well i hope they know NOT to use closed end questions...

...simple start each inquiry with 'tell me about......'

[watoos]

4. Better yet, come prepared with yes or no questions,

then expand on them.

I worry that the Dems will not be prepared. I don't worry in the least about Gym Jordan attacking a Vietnam war hero, it will backfire.

[StarfishSaver]

8. Why do you think the Democrats won't be prepared?

[ehrnst]

11. Your multiple "concern" posts that Democrats "won't be prepared"

are noted.

As are your lack of responses to people asking you why you have so little respect for their ability to do their job.

Which one of these people do you think is unqualified or otherwise not willing to do the work of the Committee?

https://judiciary.house.gov/about/members

[ehrnst]

19. Well, I guess you're glad to learn that you were very wrong to be 'worried'

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2345368

You're welcome!

[ehrnst]

14. Why do you think that they might not do the job correctly? (nt)

[ehrnst]

20. Looks like you didn't need to worry after all....

They were prepared.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2345368

[Roland99]

2. HUUUUUGE thread by Seth Abramson re: questions they should ask

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

?s=20

[kentuck]

3. They will probably need to improvise?

But the side that looks the most credible, not necessarily loud and aggressive, could be declared the winner? It is very much a PR event to Republicans. It could backfire on them.

[watoos]

5. OMG Kentuck, improvise?

The Dems better already have their questions drawn up and rehearsed, with no duplicate questions or long pauses.

Republican attacks on Mueller will backfire, I'm just worried about Dems being prepared. Mueller will not volunteer information but he will respond truthfully to questioning.

The most important aspect of this hearing is what questions Democrats ask.

[kentuck]

7. Sorry, I'm not talking about improvising their questions...

...but the way they will be forced to react to some of the Republicans antics and questions. It will be hard to keep to a script in some instances, which might require a response not planned?

[StarfishSaver]

9. "Improvisation" is critical

They will have to respond and adjust to Mueller's responses and whatever the Republicans do. They'll have a general plan and script, but will need to be nimble and pivot when necessary.

[ehrnst]

12. Yes, indeed. That's effective follow up questioning. You can't always predict what will be said.(nt)

[StarfishSaver]

15. An attorney mentor told me to prepare questions but always listen to the answer before asking

the next one and told me this story:

Attorney: Please state your name

Witness: my name is John Smith and I live in Chicago.

Attorney (without looking up from his notes): Where to you live?

Witness: I live in Chicago and work at the Mercantile.

Attorney: Where do you work?

Witness: I've worked at the Mercantile for five years.

Attorney: How long have you worked there?

Judge: I'll answer that, Counselor. Longer than your career if you don't look up and listen.

[ehrnst]

16. Yep. It's as much about listening as it is asking. It's not a job for a rookie.(nt)

[StarfishSaver]

18. That's one of the reasons Klobuchar and Harris are so effective questioning.witnesses

Their trial experience shines through.

Dick Durbin is also really good. John Edwards was probably the best questioner the Judiciary Committee ever had.

[ehrnst]

13. Why do you think that the Democrats on the Judicial Committee won't bother to prepare?

Do you have some information that we don't that leads you to believe that they're not working on this, or can't be trusted with the job that those on this committee are specifically tasked with?

https://judiciary.house.gov/about/members

[ehrnst]

21. Welll look! Your worries were unfounded.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2345368

[rampartc]

6. mueller should be treated as a hostile witness

yes, the questions should center on the report, but his significant failures should be mentioned for context :

the 2001 anthrax attacks. no prosecution. investigation closed after a suspect, later cleared, may have committed suicide.

the 1981 rico investigation of hells angels. witnesses (scott barnes sfpd) interviewed by mueller were not convinced that he was serious. Mueller's partner (g William hunter) was "terminated" for corruption.

1988 locherbie crash: pt/35b, a small portion of a generic circuit board found "somewhere near locherbie was skillfully used by mueller to nail the conviction of the guy Reagan wanted convicted.

“I regard the Lockerbie verdict against Megrahi as a ‘Grand Monument to Human Stupidity’. Indeed, the written opinion of the Lockerbie judges is a remarkable document that claims an ‘honoured place in the history of British miscarriages of justice.’ If the [SCCRC] Commission accepts the application for a full review, the infamous Zeist verdict doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of surviving.”
INTEL TODAY — July 5 2017

whitey bolger = i'll let dershowicz explain Mueller's role …..

https://www.newsmax.com/politics/alan-dershowitz-mueller-political-zealot/2018/04/08/id/853235/

in other words, I am far from convinced that mueller is a credible investigator, or that the investigation was done in good faith, or that the intention was not "calm the public" while maintaining the status quo.

[kentuck]

10. That is a credible argument but I don't know if it is best under these circumstances.

Republicans would like to shut him down and shut him up.

They agree with Trump that it was an illegitimate investigation.

[Fullduplexxx]

17. Give all their time to kamala