Barr set up Mueller

[Raven123]

As I understand it, Barr restricted Mueller to the content of the report, and in doing left him defenseless against the GOP fiction machine. It is clear that Barr set Gym Jordan with the question regarding the origin of the investigation, and Mueller wasn’t allowed to answer it.

[True Blue American]

1. Does not matter

Democrats are getting the info across.

[Raven123]

5. GOP working to sow doubt into the intent of the investigation. Using the investigator as their tool

Mueller not responding to those questions by viewers who don’t know about the Barr memo will wonder why he doesn’t answer. I wish the Dems would periodically make this point during the hearing.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

2. No one seems to be even attempting to let him answer

Anything. Why the Dems are not following up is amazing. Let the man have an opportunity to say something. Enormously frustrating.

[stopbush]

4. The Ds are not taking the RW bait. They are sticking to THEIR script,

rather than changing direction and trying to shoot down the DISTRACTIVE LIES that the Rs are offering in this hearing.

The whole R playbook is to discredit Mueller and to get the Ds to engage in a defense, which only serves to strengthen the idea that Mueller isn’t creditable.

[True Blue American]

8. And allowing Mueller to answer!

[jalan48]

3. Mueller asked the DOJ for guidance.

Attorney General William Barr on Tuesday asserted that instructions from the Justice Department to Robert Mueller regarding the scope of his upcoming congressional testimony came at the former special counsel's request.

"They asked us for guidance in writing to explain or to tell them what our position was, so we responded in writing," Barr told reporters in New York. "The department sent the guidance they had requested."

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/23/barr-mueller-testimony-guidance-1428015

[Raven123]

6. Perhaps Mueller anticipated the onslaught and wanted latitude, that ultimately was denied

He stays within the letter, unlike Barr.

[jalan48]

7. It tells me he's a team player.

[Raven123]

9. Agreed. The problem is Trump's team is playing a different game

[jalan48]

10. Trump is holding Fascist-type rallies. Mueller knows this and still plays along with Barr.

He's no hero, he's a company man.

[Raven123]

11. Ah. I get your point.

I am beginning to think Mueller is simply conflict averse. Seems counterintuitive, but i think he likes the idea of keeping things black and white, unless it risks a public backlash. Pushing decisions toward others is one way to deflect that backlash. Despite a distinguished career, he may just be tired - unfortunately for the country