General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNadler just said on Rachel's show that Mueller wants to testify mostly in private,
because he doesn't want to be part of a political spectacle.
HOWEVER, Nadler seemed to indicate that if that happened, there would be a TRANSCRIPT made public.
I wonder if there could be an advantage to that, with the R's less likely to even turn up, once they knew they couldn't use their five minutes for grandstanding.
Zoonart
(11,941 posts)Thugs to grand stand and twist his testimony and impune his motives.
Corgigal
(9,291 posts)should be done in the light.
StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)We just get transcripts.
And that's all appellate courts get when considering appeals - because all they need are the facts.
LenaBaby61
(6,981 posts)thuglicans can say that Mueller's hiding something, and ashamed to show his face in public. You KNOW that some thuglicans and especially Fatso-in-chief will say that the transcripts are FAKE that are released to the public, because you can't trust Democrats.
Not a good reason for Mueller to want to testify behind closed doors IMHO.
This country is fighting for it's LIFE and Mueller's worried about his testimony turning into a political spectacle
madaboutharry
(40,250 posts)C_U_L8R
(45,053 posts)Just saying, Robert
StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)empedocles
(15,751 posts)sessions, with less of the partisan bickerings/obstacles that a public proceeding entailed. [[Note the several Watergate timelines to verify how long the closed sessions lasted, making bipartisan headway more possible].
panader0
(25,816 posts)There is right and wrong. Anyone with half a brain can see it.
W_HAMILTON
(7,882 posts)people
(636 posts)Those of us who saw the Watergate hearings (and that includes Barr and Trump who probably saw them) know how compelling live testimony is. A transcript of his testimony will not have any weight with the general public and is a way to bury its impact. Does Nadler have to agree to this? Why should Nadler accept this condition?
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)groundwork that brought about breakthroughs in the Watergate situation took place in private sessions.
StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)And the people who testified in public whom you remember as compelling were fact witnesses were offering direct testimony about their involvement in activities related to Watergate. They weren't investigators sharing information with the committees. Any such investigatory information was shared with the Senate off-camera in private sessions.
And the Impeachment hearings weren't televised. No witness testified in those hearings in public.
Andy823
(11,495 posts)and I agree that if the republicans can't try and make a "joke" out of the hearing by being jerks, there will probably be less of them show up.
Takket
(21,754 posts)testify in public and allow the people to make up their own minds. don't leave it to the dog waggers to interpret for us.
and a transcript is insufficient. it won't convey body language, emotions behind words, etc.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)The key is to get accurate information.
If republicans don't show up, hold the hearings anyway, Speaker Pelosi could set that condition and call the republican tactics extrodinary measures that warranted suspension of some House rules.
StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)Just the facts.
But people want a show, so they're throwing fits about it - which is very revealing.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)People want a show, open hearings on sensitive issues, an impeachment show in Congress. They seem to be clueless about the setbacks all that can entail.
If Mueller comes testify in private and give up the goods on Trump, democrats will have actionable material for calling witnesses and putting them under oath. It was the private hearings that broke open Watergate, as one person wisely pointed out. Dean, Butterfield? When they testified in public, they had no choice but to tell the truth.
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