SHOWDOWN – AT 8:51 A.M. ET:  Hillary Clinton will testify before the House Benghazi committee today.  I have major concerns.

Based on the evidence released so far, Hillary should, logically, have a disastrous day.  And, yes, her day of disaster may still come when the FBI completes its probe of her handling of classified information while secretary of state.  But,in the real world, today's public, televised testimony is important.  Hillary has been preparing for it, and, when she prepares, she can present herself superbly.   Her lack of character is held in check.  She knows how to use television.

I fear that Republicans, to show that they are fair, will give her every advantage.  Apparently, they caved already on the way the questioning will be handled.  In truth, this should have been a classified session, with one or two expert Republican prosecutors doing the questioning.  Instead, it will be a show, with each member of the committee getting a chance to windbag it.  Structures like this always favor the witness.  Congressmen doing the questioning usually use their time to show off to their constituents. 

Trey Gowdy, the committee chairman, is superb, and an expert prosecutor.  But I wonder how he will do against a woman who is profoundly dishonest and fully confident in her ability to deceive people, and even to gain sympathy when she turns on whatever little charm she has.  And how will he do when much of the media will be searching for any "unfairness" in his questions?  And how will he do, considering that the Democrats on the panel have been carefully supplied with talking points by party operatives?

I hope I'm wrong, but I fear today's much-anticipated session will end in a draw, at best.  And that will be seen as a victory for Hillary Clinton.  I hope I'm wrong.

October 22,  2015