Avenatti

[Are_grits_groceries]

I have no idea what Avenatti is up to. Delusions of grandeur.? I’m not going to worry about it now.

I am also not going to badmouth him. There will be plenty of time to sort out his machinations.

For weeks he was the only one taking on Trump and getting traction in the news. He did not let up. Because of that, Trump may have tweeted things that will come back to haunt him. He kept Stormy Daniels and Trump’s sordid behavior out front.

Sure he was advocating for his client. However, he hit Trump where it hurt and his transgressions do not play well and add to the impetus for a blue wave. And Trump seemed to shy from attacking him. Hmmmmm......

[malaise]

1. Excellent post

Get thee to the greatest page

[W_HAMILTON]

2. Trump never attacks Putin...

...or Avenatti.

I can't begin to imagine the things that Avenatti must have on Trump.

[fierywoman]

36. ... and that Spanky does NOT have on Avenatti!

[Siwsan]

3. It's possible he might just be messing with people

[oberliner]

6. He's spending time at Democratic Party events in Iowa and will shortly be in New Hampshire

Doing the same thing. Sounds like he is serious about this.

[Siwsan]

9. Or, he's seriously messing with people!

[oberliner]

11. If he was just tweeting, I'd be inclined to agree with you

But now that he is doing the legwork - and getting some buzz in Iowa - I think he is serious.

[Siwsan]

16. I remain skeptical

And, as we know, anybody can run. Hopefully people are now more convinced that legislative experience is important when running for any higher office.

Although Avenatti as Attorney General? Hmmmm......

[femmedem]

35. Maybe his ultimate goal is AG after a presidential campaign.

Or maybe it's to give himself a bigger platform from which to bash Trump and help the ultimate nominee.

[amywalk]

37. I read he is exploring a run for president.

I think he is very serious about exploring a run, but that doesn’t mean the public will take him seriously. I’m not sure how I feel about him as a candidate, but time will tell if he is cut out for public office. He might be the best one to take on Trump in the primaries.

[MissKat]

38. Nail-- meet hammer!!

I think you're right Siwsan! My first thought was-- he's messing with Trump. He's doing this to draw fire. And let's face it, this race car driver is FIERCE and I love him.

Just imagine this as a car race...Michael is zipping around while Trump has over-inflated tires, a worn-out drive train, and those pistons ain't firing like they used to.

What nickname can the Orange Blunder find for Michael? Can't call him stupid, Michael was first in his class. Nope, he's dealing with a successful, determined, bold, creative brain and what makes me happy is that the Orange one will be playing toss the turd, while Avenatti directs laser guided nuclear missiles.

Have I just convinced myself that Avenatti would be a good candidate???

We'll just have to wait and see. Right now, I'm focused on Nov. 6th.

[DemocracyMouse]

44. Thank goodness Avenatti isn't a typical politician.

He doesn't fit the mold of an inside player and I think the public would find that refreshing. Warren is not a typical politician either and has similar appeal. I'd like to know what his positions are though. He did say he was doing a "listening tour" – which Hillary showed to be a reasonable first step to running for office.

[badhair77]

50. Below I used the word "trolling." I like your words "messing with" better.

He’s playing with what’s left of trump’s mind. We’ll see if he’s serious in due time.

[badhair77]

4. I agree.

I’m willing to wait and see how this all unfolds. I believe he’s just trolling trump.

[oberliner]

7. He's not just trolling Trump

He just spent four days in Iowa and is heading to New Hampshire later this month.

[helpisontheway]

24. I think he is trolling Trump too..He knows how to

get under his skin like Elizabeth Warren. However, Trump will not say a thing about Avenatti..Hmmmmm....I wonder why...Avenatti must have some dirt on him. However, new candidates worry me. They might have their own skeletons out there..

[badhair77]

49. Exactly.

I believe he loves irritating trump. Interesting, isn’t it, that there is no backlash from the guy with the thin skin.

[gibraltar72]

5. Why does he have to be up to anything?

As much as I love Biden and Bernie I don't want them as our standard bearer. I feel that way for many reasons. First of which is age. Can't we fond someone who statistically wouldn't be sundowning as we watch. Some one who excites people from all demographics.

[dottie66]

8. Yes I like him and agree with the OP when he writes

"...For weeks he was the only one taking on Trump and getting traction in the news. He did not let up."


That's a point in his favor.

[brush]

30. I agree too. We need a fighter who's not afraid to challenge trump and the repugs.

So many have complained for years that the Dems don't fight back against repug attacks.

Well this guy fights back big time.

Let's see what happens. If he gets in the race it'll prompt other Dems to up their combativeness towards trump and the cheating repugs.

[eleny]

10. I say - let him keep Trump worrying

Avenatti has a client important to Trump's political life. So it's a touchy situation. He can play a role in putting Trump slightly off balance. Make that more off balance.

[ooky]

12. I'm riding the big blue wave wherever if goes.

If it ends up being Avenatti then so be it. Maybe his candidacy will pick up traction. Whoever the dem is will get my vote. My priority now is throwing out President Jerk and his corrupt Republican congress.

[spanone]

13. K&R...

[MontanaMama]

14. I don't know enough about Avenatti

to have an opinion about this now. I will say that he is a master at trolling the Squatter in Chief and at this time, that’s entertaining as hell. While I would much prefer a candidate that is familiar with the workings of government, the “outsider” thing worked for tRump...so who knows what’ll happen. Avenatti is certainly more intelligent that tRump so there’s that. Let’s wait and watch. Maybe one of our stellar Dems would choose him for VP or another cabinet post??

[malaise]

15. Entertaining and needed

+1,000.

[leftofcool]

22. He is not a total outsider. He has worked on several Democratic campaigns in the last 30 years

He seems pretty knowledgeable about foreign policy.

[brush]

31. Good points. We've seen Carter, Obama and even Bill Clinton come from underdog status to get...

Last edited Mon Aug 13, 2018, 03:21 PM - Edit history (1)

our nomination and win the WH.

Maybe it's the new, fresh face aspect that's appealing.

Avenatti has that going for him, and his proven combativeness against trump is a plus.

Let's see what happens.

[monmouth4]

17. He's fearless and I do like that. He has no intention of running or Pres. IMO, but he does like to

mess with trump and I'm fine with that.

[steventh]

18. I would vote for Avenatti

I can see him as Senator or President. He has qualities that recommend him for public office. Off the top of my head:

He's very very smart and well educated
He's articulate, careful with his words
He's verbally, mentally agile
He's well versed in the law
He has good values, i.e., was incensed about separation of families at the border and rushed down to Texas to represent victims of ICE policies.
He relentlessly and effectively confronts on 45*

There's probably lots more if I give it some more thought.

[leftofcool]

20. He is also an advocate for climate change, womens rights, gay rights, equal rights, justice reform,

he is science minded, will not bow down to Putin, believes in some form of medicare for all or at least some sort of single payer program, thinks to many rich people at the top are making too many decisions for the rest of us and a few more things I have forgotten.

[steventh]

26. Yes Avenotti advocates for democratic principles and ethics.

I'm aware of some of the things you mentioned. I'm not surprised at some of the others I wasn't aware of, but those seem in keeping of what I've perceived in his interviews. Thanks for adding those items to the conversation.

[oberliner]

34. Who needs silly things like governmental experience and a lifetime of public service?

[safeinOhio]

42. Paul Ryan

Too much experience may not be all it is made out to be.

[oberliner]

45. Experience, public service + being on the correct side of important policy issues

Which would describe many wonderful Democrats who would be great options.

[safeinOhio]

46. My first choice is Kamala Harris.

I'll be voting for the nominee.

[oberliner]

47. Agreed on both counts

[Polly Hennessey]

19. I would vote for him

for all of steventh’s reasons. He would scare the crap out of Mr. Trump. That alone makes him worthy.

[octoberlib]

21. I don't know enough about where Avenatti stands on issues to have an opinion

but he's a fighter and I like that. I just turned on MSNBC and there were 2 Dems on bashing him saying "I think we need to stick with 'when they go low we go high' " Yeah , that got us Trump.

[KT2000]

23. I want his voice in the mix

He is going to raise the level of discourse to insist upon some basic ethics the party should stand for and be vocal about. Right now people are too numb to process all the details of the many crimes of the GOP. I bet the majority don't even hear most of the news about that.
Avenatti has been great at getting back to the basic differences between the parties and he is a natural. Everyone will have to meet him because he knows how to make people listen.

[empedocles]

25. We need all the help we can get

[brush]

32. Yes, and with him in the mix the other Dems will have to raise their game...

against trump and the cheating repugs.

[steventh]

27. Michael Avenatti Iowa Speech - August 10th 2018

Last edited Sat Aug 11, 2018, 10:30 PM - Edit history (1)

I found and am about to listen to what seems to be the full 26 minute Iowa speech

[femmedem]

43. Thanks for posting that. It was excellent.

I am reconsidering how I feel about him as a candidate.

[steventh]

52. You're welcome.

I learned a lot about Avenatti from the speech I didn't know before. For instance, I didn't know he worked on many political campaigns. I could wish for the main stream media, especially MSNBC, to air more of this speech and less of trump and his sycophants.

[Kablooie]

28. Avenatti is someone Trump refuses to take out with tweets.

Trump ignores him.

My theory is that Avenatti grabs media attention just like Trump does so he's an actual threat.
Trump's hold on power is based on his ability to grab all the media megaphones.

Avenatti also has this ability to grab the media's attention so Trump is scared to take him on.
If Trump talks too much about him it would increase Avenatti's visibility and make his megaphone even louder than it is now.

This is the only thing Trump is really scared of: Someone playing on the same field he is.

[Hamlette]

29. Trump can't attack Avenatti because of the nondisclosure agreement.

If Trump talks about Stormy, even to deny it, he will have breached the agreement and then Stormy is free to talk too.

I think that is probably in the agreement "both parties agree to not talk about it". So if Trump says Avenatti is a liar, or is showboating or anything, it could be considered a violation of the agreement.

I can't think of any other reason Trump has stayed silent on this, and if true, Avenatti won't get the same treatment in a presidential run against Trump.

But how sad it is that we are now looking for a president who can "stand up to Trump" instead of someone who would be a good president. I'm done with reality TV and just want Obama back. Or, obviously, someone like him.

[pazzyanne]

33. Avenatti running for president is an intreging idea.

I like a lot of the skills and characteristics he would bring to the campaign. However, I have had enough of celebrity in a POTUS. I would have to really work hard on that if this comes to pass.

[LiberalLovinLug]

39. While I love what he is doing...keeping the spotlight and pressure on Trump

...and dismantling any opposing Trump humper on as a second guest on a panel, I am well aware of how a lawyer builds a case. If they can get a lot of public empathy for their client, and conversely demonize the defendent in order to get a bigger settlement in the end they will.

There may come a time when Trump cries "uncle" to Avenatti and agrees to some undisclosed amount of compensation for his client (and him of course) to settle the matter. Part of that settlement may include a gag for Avenatti which he may gladly strap on. As long as he and his client are well compensated. In other words, all of his bluster and showmanship is purely to advance his case involving Daniels, and has not much to do with him being some shining knight in armour whose life purpose is to bring down Trump and the GOP along with him.

[tavernier]

40. Sure, I'll give him a listen.

And as far as all the glorious experience, it was the “experienced gang” that shoved Al Franken out the back door with an added boot up his behind, ridding our party of one of our strongest players. I really can’t see Avenatti playing that game, as he seems more interested in taking out the other team.

[greymattermom]

41. I think he's just trying out the Democrats can have balls idea.

Market testing it, sort of.

[CanonRay]

48. Trump never attacks people he's afraid of

like Mueller.

[Peace06]

51. Question

Could this performance effect the manafort trial in any way?

[Pluvious]

53. Thanks for posting that Grits !!

We're in the fight for the soul of the Country.

You bring guns to a gunfight, not pillows.