What Impact Can the Discrediting Campaign Have on Mueller's Investigation?

[ProudLib72]

This is a slightly older article about Hannity's role in the discredit campaign (interesting statistics): https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2017/11/21/study-how-sean-hannity-trying-discredit-mueller-and-russia-probe/218611

Dotard has been at this in a roundabout way for months.
Dowd just tried his completely absurd tactic.
Freedom Watch is suing to remove Mueller.

But I don't see much discussion about the potential ramifications of the discrediting campaign besides maybe adding a few counts of obstruction. Can this actually have any influence on prosecution? Maybe slow it down?

[greeny2323]

1. End game

IMHO, it's aimed at muddying the waters enough so as to give cover to Republican congressmen not voting for impeachment.

[ProudLib72]

2. So the supporters won't feel aggrieved

by their congress people? I could believe that, but it comes down to how many people buy into the discredit campaign. If only, say, 25% believe it, then that leaves a lot of people really pissed off at congress.

[marylandblue]

3. It reduces likelyhood of impeachment

But I think this will be settled in the courts, not Congress. However, no matter what the outcome, there will be reduced faith in law enforcement and the courts going forward. Unless we turn it around somehow, we will be easy prey for future Trumps.

[EL34x4]

6. I think impeachment is a lost cause.

No matter the evidence, Trump's supporters will never believe he did anything wrong, always remain convinced he was the target of a partisan witch hunt that fished for process crimes, and endlessly argue what they believe is a double standard that let Hillary Clinton off the hook for myriad corrupt and criminal acts up to and including murder.

They truly believe this.

And as long as Trump's die-hard supporters remain die-hard supporters (and there's little indication they are dropping off in significant numbers) a GOP congress will be loath to piss them off. Sure, we have a shot at taking back the House, perhaps even the Senate but we won't have the numbers in the Senate to ratify impeachment until 2021 at the earliest.

In other words, Trump isn't going anywhere as a result of the Mueller investigation and in all likelihood will complete a full term in office.

[marylandblue]

7. I'm alright with taking back at least the House

Trump is actually a coward. Once he has to work with Democrats, he will make nice, at least some of the time.

[ProudLib72]

8. This is kind of what I was thinking when I posted

Affecting impartiality in some way. I can understand congress using it to deflect impeachment. What about swaying judges? Would it have an impact should he be tried in court?

[NanceGreggs]

4. None.

Mueller's feathers are not easily ruffled. I'm sure he saw this coming from day one.

The problem the discreditors have is that the more they try to throw shit at Mueller, the more it conveys panic - panic born of guilt, and a need to cover it up.

Everyone knows it's the hit dog that yelps.

[ProudLib72]

9. It won't dislodge Mueller from tRump

I'm just imagining any possibilities down the road if/when he goes to trial.

I am also aware I just might be giving the tRump crew too much credit for planning ahead more than a few days or having a plan in the first place.

[LonePirate]

5. It strengthens the resolve of the Repubs in Congress to look away if/when he fires Mueller.

If he is fired, he won't be replaced and Congress won't do anything as a result if this discrediting is extensive and successful.

[RDANGELO]

10. The last resort of any legal defence is to attack the accuser.

If they are doing this, you know they are in trouble. Mueller has an immaculate reputation. It is going to be very hard to discredit him. It will only work with his base. The Republicans in congress will stick with Trump because of that highly manipulated base. They may never impeach him, but the Party will be extremely damaged. They are operating on core voters who are being manipulated by sociopaths like Hannity, and in the end that will kill them as that base becomes more disconnected from the rest of society.

[uponit7771]

11. Even RussTrumplicans know its BS, they're trying to push the "there's nothing else" line though

[kentuck]

12. I think their goal is to end the investigation as soon as possible.

They have sent down the marching orders to all their storm troopers.

[ProudLib72]

13. He cannot possibly fire Mueller outright

But he can at least make it incredibly difficult for the investigation to go forward by calling out to all his lackeys. If you can't win legally, win in the court of public opinion by discrediting your opponent.