Some Democrats see Michael Avenatti's entry into the Brett Kavanaugh scandal as a 'distraction'

[oberliner]

Excerpt:

Unlike with the other accusers, whose claims are now the subject of an FBI investigation as the Senate considers Kavanaugh's nomination, Republicans have dismissed Swetnick's allegations, in large part because of Avenatti's involvement. Swetnick claims, among other things, that Kavanaugh was present when she was gang-raped at a party in the early 1980s.

Multiple Democratic congressional aides told Business Insider they worried that while they wanted to fully investigate Swetnick's claims, they viewed the connection to Avenatti as an unnecessary distraction that only gave more ammunition to Republicans looking to discredit his client.

"Personally, I think he's kind of a distraction," Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia told Business Insider on Wednesday. "I don't know him, but I think he's a distraction."

Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, who announced last week that he would vote against Kavanaugh, told Business Insider that Avenatti "wouldn't have been my first pick" to represent someone making such serious allegations.

https://www.businessinsider.com/michael-avenatti-julie-swetnick-democrats-distraction-brett-kavanaugh-2018-10

[stonecutter357]

1. #facknews !

[rzemanfl]

2. Your concern is noted. n/t

[JonLP24]

3. He is very successful lawyer

Look what he did to Cohen Jon Tester. He would be one of my top picks for a lawyer if I were rich.

[Buffalo Soldier]

4. The enemy of my enemy is my friend

The R's are afraid of him or at the very least...They know he will get in the mud and duke it out with them. The R's only respect "fear"...they know he is a junk yard dog.

[violetpastille]

5. I've got 99 Problems but Avenatti's Not One.

And I have to ask myself again, "Why does Putin want me pissed off at Avenatti?"

[Kingofalldems]

6. How come you are always attacking Avenatti, oberliner?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211178898

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211177647

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211176178

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=11184305

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=11184207

I know republicans hate him- but he is well respected among most Democrats.

I don't get it?

[ret5hd]

9. It's his job.

[Demsrule86]

7. Is this the third or fourth time this had been posted?

At least three that you posted...obviously you have a problem with Avenatti...I like Avenatti.

[Autumn]

8. I like how he's everywhere you look, beating on these scum sucking pigs.

[GeorgeGist]

10. TOUGH SHIT

[jcgoldie]

11. Why you bringin' up old shit?

[Drahthaardogs]

12. Ahhh more concern.

I shall go clutch my pearls.

[libdem4life]

13. Let us not "distract" from sexual assault ? AYKM?

He's fearless. Not gutless like so many who are fearful of his aggression. What exactly is the Republican's defense of sexual predators? Pussyfooting around...excuse the intended pun. Let us unite behind this disapproved and unhinged rabblerousing of a saber rattling gentlemen...for accused women.

[Owl]

14. Unrec

[CaptainTruth]

15. What I've observed on social media ...

... is that Avenatti's entry into this has really pissed off a lot of RW folks & made them more staunch Kavanaugh supporters. They think Avenatti is only playing politics ("out to get Trump, & now Kavanaugh" ) & convinced them that Kavanaugh is getting "railroaded by the Dems" to the point where they seem to have forgotten all about Dr Ford's testimony.

Now, would any of those folks have voted for a Democrat in November? No. What concerns me is this issue (the Kavanaugh situation) is firing up the RW base in a way that other recent issues haven't, & Avenatti's involvement is driving their anger to even higher levels.

Regardless of what you think about Avenatti (I personally like him, he's a fighter) from a purely strategic standpoint I don't like to see the RW base getting so fired up so close to the election. Just earlier today I was thinking about this & hoping that his involvement doesn't backfire & hurt us at the polls. If it was any other attorney (for example, look at Dr Ford's attorneys) there wouldn't be this "Avenatti hate" factor on the Right (which seems to have replaced "Hillary hate" for some folks).

To be clear, I'm NOT criticizing anyone's choices of legal representation, I'm merely sharing what I've seen recently.