Democrats' Dilemma: Would Pushing For Mueller To Testify Hurt Or Help?

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, pictured during a May 23 press conference, and her lieutenants in the House are confronting politically difficult decisions about the aftermath of the Russia investigation.Democratic House members returning from recess this week must tackle another new dilemma over the results of the Russia investigation: what to do about Robert Mueller.The outgoing Justice Department special counsel has said, in so many words, that he's said all he's got to say and that he does not want to appear in what would likely become a traffic-stopping set-piece hearing before a congressional committee.Key chairmen on those committees want him to testify anyway, but they don't appear to agree how strongly to push for that. The outgoing special counsel hasn't closed the door completely, and members of Congress have said they're continuing to negotiate with the Justice Department over what might be practicable.But Mueller said last week that he's reluctant to talk more in public and would do his best to be a boring witness."I would not provide information beyond that which is already public in any appearance before Congress," he said.Democrats' debatesThe decision about Mueller is a dispute within a dispute — taking place as Democrats also argue over whether to pursue impeachment proceedings against Trump based on what the special counsel uncovered.More leaders within the party, including Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, have announced they support impeachment.pic.twitter.com/GVAYl9ac1YPelosi is much more hesitant, mindful about the need to try to garner support from voters outside her own liberal base.She also said in San Francisco last week that only a minority of her majority — less than about 20 percent of her members — support impeachment.