Larry Schweikart explained it for us.
1) Don't freak out that the Rs did not destroy [Blasey Ford] in her testimony.
THAT WAS NOT THE GOAL. Michell was recommended by Flakey. He would not have done that if he wanted K torpedoed.
Mitchell's questions, therefore, were designed to generate a list of inconsistencies in a kind, gentle manner so no one could remotely say she was "bullied." Mitchell will give these to Judge K in questioning so HE can personally refute them.
2) REMEMBER WHO THE "JURY" IS: it's not the "American people." In this case, the jury is Jeff Flake, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski. That's it. We need 2 of 3 and Pence breaks a tie.
ALL OF THIS was designed to provide cover through serious inconsistencies for Flakey, Tom Collins and MurCowSki.
2) If Mitchell had gone Full Sam Watterson on Edsel, it would have backfired especially with these three senators.
Bears repeating and I would add that everyone expects the republicans to lay down and abandon their troops during hostilities anyway. Net zero.
Good analysis.