I do **not** expect to be disappointed by Robert Mueller's testimony tomorrow.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

Mind you, there remains a good chance that we do not hear anything new tomorrow; that Mueller simply--as he did during his brief press statement several months ago--reiterates the findings of his reports and says little more than that.

So why wouldn't I be disappointed then?

The answer is simple.

The Mueller report--even as narrow and seemingly inconclusive as it appears--was actually quite damning towards Donald Trump.

Restating its conclusions in a highly visible forum will only reiterate its message.

The report found:

1. Russia openly supported Donald Trump in 2016 and took active measures to see to it that he was elected.
2. At a bare minimum, the Trump campaign was aware of these efforts, took no action to stop them, and openly welcomed them.
3. The special counsel had the power to exonerate Trump on obstruction of justice but expressly refused to do so, and then expressly noted that obstruction of justice was considered an impeachable offense for the purposes of Congressional oversight.
4. The report laid out at least 10 separate instances of potential obstruction of justice by Trump.

It wasn't all that we wanted--I know we all fantasized about a Roger Stone-esqe raid on the White House in the middle of the night. But it laid a pretty damn good predicate for impeachment.

So unless Mueller comes out and somehow backtracks on his report--i.e. says there wasn't enough evidence on obstruction--this hearing tomorrow should be a win for us because it keeps the conversation going. And I don't expect any backtracking to happen.

And anything good that comes out of the hearing beyond what was in the report is pure gravy.

The report appeared to refer matters to Congress for its consideration, and that's exactly what will be happening tomorrow. We just need to keep forward progress going.

Smile. You might not think it, but this will be a good thing, even if we don't hear a single new piece of information tomorrow.

[Mike Nelson]

1. I do expect to be disappointed by Robert Mueller's testimony tomorrow...

… but I'm wrong, sometimes. Mueller could easily turn this against Crooked Donald... but, I think he will answer in lawyerspeak and not provide the obvious damning phrases.

[RainCaster]

2. I too, expect to be disappointed

All our heros have feet of clay. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

[LEW]

3. 😊 I agree..

and I admit to not reading the whole report...mostly because the first paragraph told me all I needed to know..

[malaise]

4. THIS

The answer is simple.

The Mueller report--even as narrow and seemingly inconclusive as it appears--was actually quite damning towards Donald Trump.

Restating its conclusions in a highly visible forum will only reiterate its message.

[Claritie Pixie]

5. Agree, thank you.

[0rganism]

6. i think we're going to get a mixed bag

some of it will indeed go as you say, but, regardless of what is actually said, unless House Democrats immediately proceed to impeachment motions, Agent Orange will declare complete exoneration. the media will amplify his denial to the public, possibly with AG Barr's assistance.

we will see tomorrow.

[Tiggeroshii]

7. It's kinda like the Lucy football thing

I keep getting fooled over and over again I will feel like a fool not to keep expecting that

[Hoyt]

8. Unless Mueller states that trump and/or his campaign broke the law by working with Russians,

at best we are left with Obstruction.

I do not believe trump’s Obstruction— which we have all seen in plain sight for over 2 years — is going to hurt trump in public opinion.

I think he should be impeached for multiple reasons, but I fear this investigation, that largely absolves trump of criminality dealing with Russians, will not be enough at this point.

At a minimum, I hope the message is that Mueller did not investigate trump’s incompetence, using his office to advance racism and bigotry, adversely impacting foreign relations, encouraging (if not conspiring) Russia to interfere, not taking steps to stop interference, and a whole lot more.