Lessons for Democrats In Michael Avenatti’s Downfall

Jonathan Bernstein: “Avenatti burst into national prominence as the anti-Trump lawyer for porn star Stormy Daniels, and was rapidly embraced by many Democrats (not to mention many members of the news media). He was good at television and eager to be on show after show, telling critics of President Donald Trump things they wanted to hear. His demise wasn’t a case of rank-and-file liberals realizing they shouldn’t trust him, but of the law catching up to to him.”

“Democrats shouldn’t forget that short period of time when many of them (although of course not all) fell for Avenatti. At a time when Republicans seem to have been taken in by hoaxes, frauds and conspiracy theories, it’s important to remember that everyone, Democrat and Republican, liberal and conservative and centrist, is susceptible to the appeal of such people and ideas.”