Why do you think Avenatti is running for POTUS?

[JarOCats]

First, my opinion, so there's no question about where I stand. When asked on Twitter if he should run, I replied:

No. He has no governing experience, and he cannot just leapfrog into the presidency like some Green Party candidate who will do nothing but split the Dem vote.

Speaking of which, he's never answered my direct question of whether he would even run as a Dem, or go third-party.

That said, I'm beginning to wonder if Avenatti is a plant. He appears to have let drop the Stormy Daniels case, and turned his attention to the presidency.

Go ahead and call me paranoid, if you must. But kindly give me your thoughts.

[pnwmom]

1. Because in Iowa recently he said he was thinking about it. And he hasn't dropped

the Stormy case. The Federal judge ruled that Trump's lawyers shouldn't have been able to move it to Federal court, and that it should go back to CA state court.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/09/us/politics/michael-avenatti-president.html

Yes, Michael Avenatti, Stormy Daniels’s lawyer and Mr. Trump’s tormentor, is pondering a presidential campaign.

“I’m strongly considering it — it’s going to have a lot to do with who enters the race,” Mr. Avenatti said in a telephone interview Thursday night from Iowa, where he ate not one but two pork chops at the state fair.

SNIP

As for the pornographic film artist who put him on the map — or screen — he said that “Stormy is 100 percent supportive” of his exploration.

“She knows these are dire times,” Mr. Avenatti said.

[JarOCats]

3. Good link, thank you. But...

What do you think about it? Will he cause more harm than good?

[pnwmom]

4. I can't tell yet. He certainly can give a great speech, and he's no dummy.

He was #1 in his law school class at George Washington University.

And he is a progressive. So I'm reserving judgment.

[JonLP24]

2. It's because so many people see an opening now that Trump is President

I have no doubts he is a loyal Dem which is the main reason he took the Stormy case and also Trump shows anyone can be President now. I expect a very crowded Primary for 2020

[JarOCats]

5. See, that's something I don't know:

Is he a Dem? I'm not the only person who's asked him where his loyalty lies, and received no answer. If it's this important to him, you'd think he'd jump at the opportunity to clarify his allegiance.

If he can endure the process -- fundraising, debates, the works -- as a committed Democratic candidate -- then, OK. And even if he runs third-party, he certainly has every right to run, as divisive and destructive as that would be.

But, either way, I can't see him serving any purpose other than being a spoiler. Another Nader. Another Stein.

[JonLP24]

7. You're right

I overlooked the last par

t While in college and later in law school, Avenatti worked at The Research Group, a political opposition research and media firm run by Rahm Emanuel (later White House Chief of Staff for President Barack Obama, and Mayor of Chicago).[22] Avenatti worked on over 150 Democratic and Republican campaigns in 42 states while studying at George Washington University.[8][23]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Avenatti

Working with Republicans isn't a loyal Democrat so misused that phrase he does appear to be a successful lawyer with political experience but I wouldn't vote for him depending on who else is in the race.

[JarOCats]

10. That's news to me.

Strange he's not emphasizing this work. Not that it would go far in changing my mind, but if he wants to beat back the lack-of-experience argument, thus would help his cause.
.

[LuvLoogie]

6. My take...

for which I was hidden, so I am taking a risk...

I think he will run third party as Bernie Sanders' running mate, because no other Democrat will be "good enough" in M.A.'s judgement.

He won't go toe to toe with actual Democratic contenders. He'll throw bombs at us from the sidelines.

As I have said, I am skeptical of Michael Avenatti.

Note to alerters. This is not a right-wing talking point. This is my opinion and speculation, of which I am entitled as a member of DU in good standing. I vote for Democrats and support Democrats.

[JarOCats]

11. "... throw bombs at us from the sidelines."

Well put. I believe he's lobbed a few at Hillary already -- which, regardless of anything else, is pointless and unproductive.

I think your take is spot-on -- except for running as VP with Bernie. I doubt Mr. Avenatti would play second banana to anyone.

[leftofcool]

16. He will not be a running mate to Bernie. I guarantee it.

Bernie can be a third party spoiler all he wants to but Avenatti won't have anything to do with that.

[JonLP24]

19. He in a primary for a reason

Because he isn't a third party spoiler.

[Midnight Writer]

8. He must be concerned he has too much credibility. I hope he primaries as a Republican.

[donkeypoofed]

9. I think he'll only run for reals if there isn't a strong enough opponent for Spanky

Knowing what he knows about him, Spanky might be a bit more reticent to attack Avenatti on twitter. A Presidential debate between the two would be historic. I mainly want to see this happen because it would be hilarious to watch Spanky be so nervous! Maybe that's also why Avenatti hasn't said which Party he'd run for - maybe he just wants to stress Spanky a little bit ? He seems to enjoy that sort of thing.

[JarOCats]

13. It's been suggested he's only trolling Drumpf.

In which case, I'd be all for it -- if the rest of us were in on the joke.

Problem is, Avenatti is quickly developing a cult of personality among normally sensible Dems, as if he were Dr. Dreamy. This could cause (already has caused?) noticeable divisiveness (at least online).

[Laffy Kat]

12. I'm hoping he's just messing with tRump.

He terrifies 45.

[herding cats]

14. I'm not entirely sure, but I know he won't have my vote.

I'm hoping he's just working an angle and trying to raise his name further, but I'm not sure anymore.

Either way I don't support him. I've read his pedigree forwards and backwards and he's not a world leader material. At least not at this point.

[leftofcool]

15. He's ggot both votes in our home and we know several who like him a lot.

And, no, he hasn't dropped the Stormy Daniels case. He will not be a Bernie or Hillary 2.0 and he has plenty of experience in politics. Try researching.

[lamp_shade]

17. I think he's just yanking trump's chain.

I think he knows damn well that his chances of winning the nom are slim to none.

[FakeNoose]

18. Avenatti hasn't dropped Stormy Daniels, and he still represents her in California

I think it has to do with licensing and the NY Bar. Avenatti isn't licensed to practice law in New York, and it seems this case will proceed in New York because of Michael Cohen. Therefore Avenatti partnered with a local NY law firm, and they will be represent Daniels if/when the case goes to court in New York.

Am I right about this? I read it in one of the NY papers a couple months ago but the story didn't have many details. I'm not a lawyer myself, so I may have misinterpreted.

Meanwhile Avenatti is getting involved in pro bono representation of some immigrant families who were separated from their children. He was all over that for a few weeks, and now the story is suddenly silent. Avenatti has some very effective crowd-funding going on, and I guess he's looking to get high-profile work that the liberals would approve of. Therefore, the me-too cases and the immigrant families. I doubt that his crowd-funding sources are enough to finance a presidential campaign though.

[JonLP24]

20. Its usually how law firms do things so you are probably correct n/t

[Squinch]

21. He's saying what we want said, and he's getting a hearing in the press, which few on our side are.

I don't necessarily want him as my president because I want TAMMY DUCKWORTH!!!! but I appreciate the guy and hope he continues to be a thorn in the side of the imposter president for a long, long time.

And if he ever DID get to be the Democratic nominee, I'd vote for him. I just don't think its likely.

[lostnfound]

22. Hell, I'd vote for Dick CHENEY if he was the Democratic nominee against Trump

That’s the ultimate test! Yes, Darth Cheney is a twisted atrocious creep that tries to justify torture and started an illegal war, but it would be ever so slightly better than the thought of four more years of the the guy we’ve got now.

[mythology]

23. Attention

He's not a serious potential candidate.