what are perhaps some of the factors that went into making this private rather than public? >> i think the biggest factor is that roger stone is known for showmanship, shall we say, in terms of public displays. and i think there was a concern by the committee that it would become something of a show, that he would make statements that might be far afield, that it would not be relevant. they thought this would be a more containable hearing. it's not dissimilar to what we saw for john podesta. we have seen other people in things related to this investigation testify in public, but this is different. i do think it was interesting. stone's statement we read before was he was eager to talk to them, eager to testify and to talk about collusion which he believes doesn't exist and that i believe, caveat, is something i have not heard him say before. >> gives some wiggle room. >> not really for himself but about other people. i can't speak to the actions of