Michael Avenatti to Time: 2020 Democratic nominee 'better be a white male'

[Jose Garcia]

Source: CNN

Washington (CNN) — Michael Avenatti said the Democratic Party's choice to take on President Donald Trump in 2020 should be a white man, according to an interview with Time magazine published Thursday.

"I think it better be a white male," Avenatti, a 2020 potential candidate himself, said.

Avenatti said in the piece that he wished it was not the case that white men, as he and Trump are, are listened to more than people of other races and genders, but that he believed his identity was part of why he had been able to defend adult film star Stormy Daniels and immigrant mothers.

"When you have a white male making the arguments, they carry more weight," Avenatti said. "Should they carry more weight? Absolutely not. But do they? Yes."

Read more: https://www-m.cnn.com/2018/10/25/politics/michael-avenatti-time/index.html?utm_source=fbCNN&utm_medium=social&utm_content=2018-10-25T18%3A29%3A06&utm_term=link&r=https%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F

[sandensea]

1. True to some extent - but with enough GOPee misrule, a good Dem of ANY background could win

[Honeycombe8]

2. Ruh-roh. I see a star falling.

I disagree with him, but I know what he means. He means, I think, that when going against a big mouthed alpha white nationalist rich elite male, it helps to have an alpha-type white male, if only to put Trump on guard and on the defensive. Trump is more threatened by alpha white males than anyone else, is a theory. It'd keep the focus on the issues, rather than letting Trump rile his followers up by focusing on what the other candidate is (female, black, Muslim, etc.)...is that what he means?

I disagree with him. I think it depends on the individual. Anyone remember Obama? I heard the same things about HIM. But Obama wasn't biracial. Obama was....Obama! A natural leader, a decent person, a brilliant professor, an adept politician, one of the most charismatic candidates to come along in decades.

It will probably be a white male, anyway. There are just so many more of them in national politics. But I, for one, am going to go for whoever I think is the best person AND who can win. I don't know yet who that will be.

[The Liberal Lion]

3. This is racism, and it pisses me off.

I had my doubts about Avenatti, I've even went so far as calling him a charlatan and a conman cut from the same fabric of trump, only attempting to take advantage of a different cohort. This only makes me believe it more. This pud is pure scum. Please liberals and progressives, don't fall for this conman. He is showing his true colors.

[LanternWaste]

4. He's simply stating that racism is so strong in the US that it not only has a place at the table

He's simply stating that racism is so strong in the US that it not only has a place at the table, it's usually serving the food and deciding the portions.

To be honest, I'd find it either absurd or simply disingenuous to the point of a lie if anyone thought otherwise.

Seriously, fella... try context and nuance. Together. They really do work to help us understand better and infer with more accuracy.

[The Liberal Lion]

10. Well I'll put it to you like this

If he's right then this country is already lost.

[Initech]

14. The racists can go fuck off.

I'm tired of this shit - Trump got into power because of these worthless fucking assholes, and he's been nothing but one disaster after another. White supremacists are a dying breed and they're desperate to hold onto their power. It's time we push them aside and let the adults run the country again.

[oberliner]

17. Except now he is denying that he said this

[xor]

19. Giving him the benefit of the doubt that this isn't just serving, I think his logic is flawed

Our country elected Obama 10 years ago. The hard core racists and sexists who will only vote for a white male are likely not ever going to vote for a democrat. Those folks on the more center right or center likely don't care as much about the race or gender of the person running. After all, many of those likely helped get Obama elected. Clinton also had a lot of hate coming at her from the left and right. In my opinion most of it was unfair, but nonetheless she had an uphill battle. A strong candidate regardless of race/gender who brings the left and center toward the democratic party is going win. We just need another Obama....

[Honeycombe8]

49. I think that's it. He's stating what he thinks is necessary to win, because of the way things are...

right now. Can't say there's no evidence to back that up.

Still, I think he's wrong about that. One word: Obama.

But so far, we haven't been successful with female candidates, to my disappointment.

[Honeycombe8]

5. Come on. He's saying that in his opinion, this is the way it is, not the way HE thinks it shud be.

But he shouldn't have said it. OTOH, it's a good thing to say outright what you think.

But I see this as a problem for him.

[The Liberal Lion]

12. This is exactly what pisses me off about the "mainstream" left

Instead of having courage and challenging the right on their inane notions, we give in and produce our own version of "right-lite". As for me I say "HELL NO!"

[LiberalLovinLug]

28. I get pissed off at the "mainstream" left too for having no courage

Like saying what Avenatti is saying and not being afraid of the hyper triggered PC police in our camp that make a mockery of important issues by overblowing minor PC infractions, and also by being cowards in refusing to face reality, or speak of it.
Obama was a special person. If he had the personality of a grumpy Bernie Sanders, he wouldn't have had a chance. He was charming, witty, and, he also spoke like an educated person that he was. If you never knew his race, and only listened to him, you would not be able to tell his race. He also wouldn't have had a chance if he sounded like a gangsta rapper.

Do you honestly believe that the country has moved on from race and gender to that degree? That it doesn't make any difference if its a woman or if its a non-white? Sure for many that is the case. Certainly for myself. But we are talking about close elections where a couple of points can decide elections.

There are enough independents and probably even some traditional white Democratic voters that just feel more comfortable culturally to relate to another white person. They may even be appalled if they were thought of as racist. And are also conditioned to respect a male over a female as a leader. Can they be won over? Absolutely! But can we wait for that? Even the majority of white women voted for the white male over the white female in '16. Imagine if it were a black female. Sorry but the last few years have changed my mind about how far the US has come after the election of Obama. I don 't care anymore if people vote for a Democrat because they like their positions and values, or if they are dumb secret white bigots and will vote for them because they are of the same race and a male. Winning seats now is the only goal. And I say that with great sadness.

[Honeycombe8]

45. I don't think he's mainstream. You don't know that, either.

He's wrong about what he thinks. He shouldn't have said it. I think it's more important that he didn't know not to say that, rather than what he said.

It'll cause some people not to like him, though.

[brush]

26. It wasn't a smart thing to say.

He'll have to stay useful as an abrasive antidote to combat repugs but he probably just eliminated himself as a candidate for 2020.

There's a kernel of truth to what he said, considering how white, male privilege works in out society but the Democratic Party has the potential to prevail against that as it has put forth formidable candidates who have proven repug white male privilege can be overcome with the right candidate. Hell, Hillary just did but the election was stolen from her by comey, repug cheating and traitors working with Putin.

And let's not forget Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States.

As for me, an AA male, I'd like to see a woman president. It's time.

Let me amend that—a Democratic woman president.

[sprinkleeninow]

63. You have revealed you are an AA male. Also looking to see a Dem woman president.

I would like to see 'anyone' qualified and thus chosen.

Additionally, me, myself and I would be thrilled for a Democratic AA 'male' to enter the skirmish.😍 Hmmm, who/whom might that be?

[P. S. sprinkleeninow is not American African.]

[brush]

66. Harris would be nice, but so would Holder or Castro or Warren.

Kennedy too. And actually Landrieu from Louisiana.

I do think it's time though that we break the glass ceiling as far as a woman president and join the rest of the enlightened world.

[sprinkleeninow]

67. I have me looking at Cory! But I'm not that well into his bio.

I thot someone had some not positive stuff to say about him. Sheesh!

[Ligyron]

6. Unfortunately, that will probably need to be the case.

That is: if we actually want to win next time.

The country is a lot less civilized than I liked to imagine.

[oberliner]

18. What will need to be the case?

[Ligyron]

30. That we will.end up running another white male.

Or we'll end up losing another Presidential election.

[oberliner]

58. Why do you feel that is the case?

[onenote]

29. So you think the misogynistic, racists who won't vote for a woman or minority

will line up to vote for a white male who, presumably, will as part of his campaign, point out what a misogynistic racist guy Trump is?

That doesn't make any sense.

[Ligyron]

34. No but the Independents might.

Last I checked, there were more of them than either of the others.

[onenote]

35. The racist, misogynistic indpendents?

Or the non-racist, non-misogynistic independents who would prefer a white male over a minority or woman because...well, why exactly would they prefer a male candidate over Trump?

[Ligyron]

36. Because hopefully Trump.will be in jail.

Or totally disgraced and not running.

[sprinkleeninow]

65. This is a good thought...

[Honeycombe8]

48. Odds are it'll be a white male, just because there are a lot more of them...

in the national political scene.

But it's too early to know who will be a candidate. Of course, we shouldn't discriminate against someone because of race...even if the race is white.

But I think Avenatti is wrong to a certain extent. It depends on the individual. I remember people being unsure that Obama could win well into his campaign, when it was so obvious that he was the best candidate we'd had in decades and that he probably would win.

It depends on the individual.

[TygrBright]

7. I'm not sure I'm willing to submit to whitemail- er, whitemale any longer. n/t

[Ligyron]

27. I don't think anyone on DU does either.

I'm thrilled to see so many non-males running this midterm and support as many females as possible financially and in every other way I can.

But we need a Democrat in the WH in 2020 more than any specific gender and I'm tired of us losing.

[mucifer]

8. Gee who could be white and male and greedy with desire to be President?

Who could be the democrat's only savior?

[truthisfreedom]

9. Well, hell, if he's going to go that far he had better suggest

Taller than trump by several inches, with a thick head of hair and drop dead good looks, and a gorgeous female black or Latina running mate.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

13. In other words, maybe Beto O'Rourke and Kamala Harris?

But I think he has some other white male in mind. A shorter, balder one.

[Honeycombe8]

50. Actually, stats show that tall men have an advantage in winning the Presidency.

Almost all of the Presidents have been taller than average. Almost all the time, the taller candidate wins, if the opposition is shortish. It may be because they are viewed as authoritative or leader-like. Who knows? But that's the stat.

People are human beings and come to the table with certain preconceptions of what a leader looks like and talks like.

Obama is tall. He beat the shorter McCain big time. Same as most Presidential elections.

[SKKY]

11. I don't know. I've been watching Kamala Harris a lot lately...

....I'd put her up against any white male I can think of. And certainly, against the orange male that is sitting in the oval office currently.

[Sparky 1]

42. She's got my vote. She makes mincemeat out of the R's as easily as breathing. Love her.

[The Liberal Lion]

15. I can't believe the meekness with which this statement is being accepted

If a republican had said this we'd be ready to burn the barn, but this creep Avenatti says it and many are already resigned. Get some steel in your backs liberals/progressives. It's fine if a white male democrat becomes President, but that's not how it has to be. Have you forgotten HILLARY WON!
Quit being so fucking defeatist! We are the majority, we make the rules, not just accept the world as dictated to us.

[bluestateboomer]

16. I'm an old white male.

I voted for Obama. I voted for Hillary. We'd better nominate the best person we can find and vote that person into office. Anything else is a circular firing squad. We don't have any other option.

[xor]

20. That seems like a good plan to me.

The best person for the job should be chosen. Needlessly divisive comments like this prove to me that Avenatti is not that person.

[The Liberal Lion]

37. Indeed, you are correct. If it's a white male, fine. If not, fine. We fight, not weaken our knees.

[Galraedia]

21. Avenatti said, "I was misquoted, and it was taken out of context."

Considering he was quoted by Time, I'm more inclined to believe he was misquoted.

[onenote]

31. I'd be surprised if Time didn't record the interview.

[elmac]

22. Not a very smart thing to say

I hope it was a misquote.

[Raven123]

23. Well aren't we lucky. Avenatti also happens to be a white male who wants to be President

Never mind the current white male preisent lost the popular vote, and in neede a lot of help to win the election.

[lancelyons]

24. I would rather see a women in there and whoever the best candidate is (Dem of course)

I would rather see a women in there but whoever the best candidate is (Dem of course) is good with me.

I do understand that the chunk of people on the right who are racists, etc would get even more unglued if we have a minority president.

The entire right is anti minority.. a minority president would continue the divide to some degree unless they knew how to smooth this out.

A white male (dem of course) might have an easier time of smoothing this out.

I am not racist but a realist.

[apnu]

25. He's not wrong. America is a profoundly misogynist and racist state.

Not the worst in the world (look at Africa and the Middle East), but we are really bad at gender and race equality. He's correct when saying that.

However, how he's saying it? Its not right. He's torpedoing his tiny chance at Democratic or Liberal stardom. Not that he had much in that department to begin with.

We all love him for being an annoying thorn in Trump's side, but we also see him for what he is: an opportunist.

[onenote]

32. And will those misogynists and racists vote for a white male who points out that Trump also

is a misogynist and racist?

Of course not. It's a dumb statement by someone who increasingly appears not to be as bright as some people think he is.

[3Hotdogs]

33. If the race is close, say Nov. 3, 2020, there are people who might have voted for a

"traditional" candidate but refuse to vote for a (insert your choice).

Result: We lose.

Obama won. Yes, because he is Obama but also because of who he followed and who the opposition was. Remember, "Grandpa, walking around the debate stage, looking for his Buick? Also the 47% freeloader comment which tossed votes our way?

Can you imagine Trump on the stage, "Look at Spartacus, over there?" or "There goes Pocahontas, again. Her own tribe can't stand her."

Whoever is nominated, will be mocked by Trump for their ethnic background unless that background is the same as his and his followers.

[onenote]

38. Hillary Clinton received 3 million more votes than Trump

and came very close to winning the electoral college (a shift of a relatively small number of votes in three states).

I don't think the candidate has to be a woman. Or a minority. I also don't think it has to be a white male. It has to be the candidate that generates the most enthusiasm.

[3Hotdogs]

40. Go Bernie?

His rallies were as large as the Gropenfuher's.

[The Liberal Lion]

44. Boom! Just one small correction. Hillary did not lose the electoral vote either

vote totals were altered. Hillary is the legitimate President of the United States. The man their now, the orange interloper, is there by way of coup.

[StevieM]

55. She would have won had it not been for Comey. It was her gender that emboldened the FBI and

State Department IG office to target her the way they did.

If you eliminate Comey's misdeeds she would have absolutely destroyed Trump.

And I agree that we should nominate whoever we like, regardless of race or gender. But that doesn't mean that misogyny was not a huge factor in driving what happened in the 2016 election.

[The Liberal Lion]

41. We lose when we give in to false notions

Ted Cruz didn't win, ok fine he's Cuban.
Jeb! Didn't win, and honestly it doesn't get more WASP than a Bush.
Your conclusions are fraught with misconceptions.
It doesn't matter the race of who goes against trump, and it doesn't matter what is or what isn't between their legs.
What will matter is their ability to connect to the voters and give them clear eyed plans for a prosperous and inclusive future.

[3Hotdogs]

43. That negates your second sentence. Jeb was half asleep during the campaign.

He didn't lose because he was white.

[The Liberal Lion]

46. Your reply was humorous and I appreciate it

My point, however, was, trump will go after you even if you are a white male. His point is to win, he doesn't care who you are. He's not going to hold back because someone is a white male.

[3Hotdogs]

47. Trump won't hold back but his audience will be less receptive.

[marylandblue]

77. I agree that white males have an advantage, but

the most important thing is how Trump's opponent responds. Avenatti knows how to respond, that's a plus in his column, but that's about it. I also think Cory Booker would respond well.

[Snellius]

39. Unless you're short on bad guys today, move along. Nothing to see here.

[Raven]

51. Boy! What a slippery slope we're on. We'd take a life raft from anybody I guess.

If we accept this we are no better, in my opinion, than the "decent" republicans who sold their souls to Donald Trump. This guy not only dissed all people of color but all women too. He is not for us...no matter how bad things get, he is just not for us. What he said is disgusting and there is no way to spin or sugar coat it otherwise. We've elected a black president who was the best we've ever had in that office...we have women in government who are more accomplished than Avenatti will ever be. GET A GODDAMNED GRIP PEOPLE!!!

[FakeNoose]

52. Excellent point

Avenatti's Dem/lib/prog credentials are impeccable however ... it may work to his advantage to get the Dems to put their blinders on early and start looking for white males only.

But I agree with you that too many women already in office are too qualified to not be considered. I prefer to find the right candidate, not put a label on it and only look at people who fill that label. If I were to slap a label on my next ideal candidate, I'd say - "NO TV PEOPLE!" Other than that, I'm wide open.

[oberliner]

59. "Avenatti's Dem/lib/prog credentials are impeccable" ??

Impeccable?

[SKKY]

53. People are killing me on this thread. Why do we need a white male????

Clinton lost the election by 80K votes. 80K VOTES!!! A WHITE FEMALE WHO WAS A CRAP CANDIDATE LOST BY 80K VOTES!!!!!!! Let me say that again. 80K VOTES!!!! All we need is a good candidate. Black, white, green, or purple. Male or female.

[StevieM]

54. I agree that we should vote for the best candidate, and not discount women and minorities.

But HRC absolutely lost because she is a woman. The fake email scandal could never have taken off if she was a man. It was just way too stupid to be an issue without misogyny to prop it up.

[oberliner]

60. She won by 3 million votes

[StevieM]

61. I refuse to focus on the popular vote vs. the electoral college because it minimizes

the significance of what James Comey did.

It is not OK for the FBI director to destroy a candidate's reputation. That is not legitimate within a democracy.

[oberliner]

62. Well, I agree with you there

[sprinkleeninow]

64. It wasn't okay and I blurted this out last nite when again I recalled what he pulled.

See, Mueller hasn't made any pronouncements regarding his investigation thus far according to protocol. But not comey. Facts do not lie. His stunt helped put the kabosh on her chances.

[StevieM]

69. I would argue that without the Comey intervention she undoubtedly would have won a decisive victory.

eom

[sprinkleeninow]

70. I'm with you in one mind and one accord. There's a graph I saw after he pulled that, her numbers

plummeted.

💙🇺🇸🌊

[SKKY]

75. Yes, she did indeed. But it was she lost WI, MI, and PA by a total 80K votes.

[SKKY]

76. Clinton lost the electoral college vote by 80K votes....

...spread across WI, MI, and PA. She lost because she ran a crap campaign. Sure, the e-mail/Comey thing didn't help, but ultimately, she was a crap candidate who ran a crap campaign. I doubt Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Corey Booker, or Joaquin Castro will make the same mistakes she made.

[StevieM]

78. You are completely wrong. She ran a great race. We heard nothing about this "crap campaign" until

the election was over. Usually we hear all about it when a candidate is running a bad campaign DURING the campaign. And the media relentlessly jumped all over her, bashing her every chance they got. They would have loved to say she was running a crap campaign, if it had been true. But there was no basis for it. People are just using her defeat to say whatever they want about her.

She was a great candidate who ran a great campaign. But the election wasn't winnable because the FBI made it their mission to torpedo her candidacy. Comey intervened repeatedly, and to devastating effect each time. The email story wasn't "unhelpful"--it dominated and defined the campaign. 2016 was the year that the FBI and State Department Inspector General's office set out to define a major party candidate as a criminal who got away with breaking the law, and they did this in order to help elect a Republican.

[Hortensis]

79. +10,000. I was and am very impressed with what Hill

has developed into, and yes, she ran a very good campaign. Finally. She and I are both policy wonks. She sees a problem and just has to figure out a way to fix it. I love that, and I loved the long list of problems and delayed advances she was so eager to get to.

Skky is forgetting that Hill was way out ahead for months, sometimes by double digits, and that on her coattails we were in line to take control of the senate (!) and, amazingly, very possibly gain a majority in the house. Imagine, and I hope it's painful for Skky to remember what should be today's reality also.

This was in the face of constant massive propaganda attacks, but as they revved up toward the end, with the help of the FBI, AP, NYT, and cable programming, enough of those who claim our ideals eventually fell to the enormously funded dark arts of right-wing, Russian, and other hostile propagandists.

You know, it's one thing to prefer another candidate as Skky did, but when people go way beyond that to trade honesty and rationality for passionate lies, I believe they've become part of the very problem they imagine they're fighting. In 2016, for sure I would have gladly traded someone who failed to stand strong for liberal progressive government for one nasty but passionately committed right-winger.

Just sayin'.

[sarcasmo]

56. LMFAO Adios, Avenatti.

[SCantiGOP]

57. I hope so

I see Avenatti as a self-promoting huckster.
A lot of baggage to run for office if you are known as the “porn star lawyer.”

[SayitAintSo]

68. The most politically astute person I know is a Harvard educated African American

And she has been saying exactly what Avenetti is saying for well over 2 years now. Whether he is the one or not is beside the point, the point is I believe my friend as much as I hate to believe that this is where this country has landed thanks to Trump's unbridled racism. I think all the Avenetti haters need to get a grip and look at reality and think about winning for a change.

[oberliner]

71. This African-American woman thinks the Democratic nominee "better be a white male" ?

I'd be curious to hear more from her on that.

[SayitAintSo]

72. I will ask her to reply

She used to post frequently here and has been an active member since before the 2000 election. I will alert her to my post and see if she has time or inclination to respond. I have the utmost respect for her and have learned more from her about politics, history, and she has informed my ignorance on political history and
AA culture and the attendant sad realities . Unfortunately the rancor and partisan bickering between Democrats during the last election caused her to be more of a lurker than a poster on DU. It'll probably be a few days but I will most definitely ask her because this forum needs her voice back.

[ProfessorGAC]

73. Before The 2000 Election?

I was a very early member here and this site was founded as a reaction to the 2000 election.

This Wiki entry shows the site starting on inauguration day, 2001.

[link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Underground|

[SayitAintSo]

74. Do you remember Bart cop?

We were followers of Bartcop and then we transitioned to DU... I don't remember the exact year but I remember our online Forum activities began with the 2000 election. I messaged her and she may or may not reply but my guess is she will. Stay tuned... And stay woke...

[Demonaut]

80. ok...quite a stupid statement

[Peace06]

81. Avenatti

We Dems reject this advice, but look at the way women were treated in the Kavanaugh debacle. Avenatti is a realist. I am a female who was one of the first to break in the bank officer field. Avenatti is correct. It should NOT be this way, but it is. This election is too important to take any chances. This is what Avenatti was saying.

[qwlauren35]

82. I 100% agree.

I felt this way in 2016. I will feel this way in 2020. There are otherwise sensible people in America who cannot get past their prejudices and vote for a non-white non-male candidate. To think otherwise is to ignore the reality of America. As Avenatti says, it is unfortunate that this is how it is, but it's real.

50% of Trump supporters are women. What does that tell you about white women and Hillary? If there's no loyalty, it's just not going to work.

I don't know what kind of fantasy world folks live in. We had one black president, and there are some americans who are going to make sure it never happens again.

Maybe the folks on DU would vote for a non-white, non-male candidate. But DU does not mirror America. And the sooner the Democratic party figures that out, the better.