The voice recordings of payoffs to an ex-mistress of scandal-wracked U.S. president Donald Trump is another godsend for high-profile lawyer and arch-Trump critic Michael Avenatti, who remains dead set on his goal of running for the presidency in 2020.
Avenatti, a media savvy celebrity who uses Twitter as a weapon to constantly bash Trump, hasn't made a flat out denial of his presidential bid since rumors to this effect began to circulate widely in June. Avenatti as kept in the media spotlight, and according to one estimate made over 100 TV, newspaper and media interviews in the span of a month. This looks like a deliberate attempt to keep in the public eye.
Avenatti zoomed to worldwide fame and recognition as the lawyer of porn star Stormy Daniels. Avenatti filed a lawsuit last March on behalf of Daniels seeking to invalidate a 2016 non-disclosure agreement regarding her affair with Trump in 2006.
Daniels had an affair with Trump over a period of six years despite his being married to Melania. She first sued Trump and his lawyer, Michael Cohen. Daniels alleges both men "aggressively sought to silence" her when she planned to make her story about the affair public in late 2016.
Trump first hooked-up with Daniels in 2006 after Melania gave birth to their son, Barron. The porn star described sex with Trump as boring, and said she met Trump met at a celebrity golf tournament in Nevada in 2006.
Avenatti's near constant presence on U.S. TV news and talk shows made him a media celebrity and an instantly recognizable new face famous for his feistiness and eagerness to take on Trump on twitter.
The tough-looking and tough-talking Avenatti, who is an ardent Democrat, said he'll seriously consider challenging Trump if "there is no other candidate in the race that has a REAL chance at beating" Trump in 2020.
"I love this country," declared Avenatti. "Our values and our people too much to sit by while they are destroyed." Avenatti also noted "only a street fighter has a chance at displacing the 'King.' Otherwise, this country and its principles will be in pieces and non-recognizable."
Aventatti tweeted that Democrats need a tough guy to beat Trump. "Be clear - only a street fighter has a chance at displacing the "King." Otherwise, this country and its principles will be in pieces and non-recognizable."
Avenatti's in luck since the conventional wisdom among Democrats is that only a white guy can beat Trump in 2020. This view is held by Jason Johnson, a black political analyst, who argues Democrats "have to run a white guy" if they want to win in the presidency in 2020.
"2020 is not the year where the Democrats can run a woman and win," said Johnson. "2020 is not the year where Democrats can run a black person and win. They're going to have to run a white guy and it's going to be a white guy."
For Democrats, this white guy isformer Vice President Joe Biden, who remains the frontrunner among Democratic voters. Hillary Clinton is second to Biden but won't run for president again.
