THE MUELLER WAY

The Democrats hoped that Robert Mueller's testimony last Wednesday would be a bang which might have left the Republicans K.O. In reality his comments were devastating for Trump indeed, but the absence of emotion killed any form of outrage and drama. Mueller, by temperament or deliberate choice, preferred the role of accountant rather than the part of accuser.

It was also noticeable that not a single Republican contested any of Mueller's findings. They ignored rather than engaged. The hydrogen bomb in the White House must feel relieved that the former damage done was not revived and that the Special Prosecutor's halting presentation spoke more of old age than of legal vigor.  In situations as these any faux pas or hesitation  is weaponized.

The Democrats missed a chance. They might try again (Don McGahn, the Kushner duet) but the Republican Stahlhelme should not be underestimated. If the Democrats fight a messy, often incoherent battle for principle, the Republicans follow a disciplined path for gain. Material considerations make for better cement than lofty indignation.

To impeach or not to is now the Democrats' difficult choice,  rendered even more hazardous since the outcome is certain. Under the current circumstances impeachment is dead on arrival. The added value might nevertheless be that the Republicans would be obliged to address the real issue rather than wasting time in mostly gratuitous personal attacks on the four Democratic congresswomen, defined as "the squad". They are loud but certainly not without merit or cause. Mostly they should be seen less as "the quatuor from hell"--as described by the Republicans--and more as individual defenders of rational recrimination.

The Democrats had better rally soon around a candidate and quit this shadow boxing among themselves, which only fires up Trump's glee. Such a candidate should possess Warren's mind, Harris' punch and Buttigieg's self-control...Hard to find.