This is called a "straw man" argument. It misrepresents a topic to confuse and distract on purpose. From an atty, it's a dishonest form of debate.
The first 15 candidates Trump beat were Repubs in the Repub primaries.
The only Democrat Trump faced beat him by 3 mil. votes.
1/
The first 15 candidates Trump beat were Repubs in the Repub primaries.
The only Democrat Trump faced beat him by 3 mil. votes.
1/
Avenatti is serving up a deliberately false construct:
"Trump beat so many politicians we need a non-politician!"
...and he is doing that for a reason:
If he doesn't stoke both fear and the false belief an "outsider" is needed, he has no case for voting for him.
2/
"Trump beat so many politicians we need a non-politician!"
...and he is doing that for a reason:
If he doesn't stoke both fear and the false belief an "outsider" is needed, he has no case for voting for him.
2/
Trump did the exact same thing.
"You people are losing. Only an outsider can keep you from losing again."
Avenatti may claim to be "taking on Trump" but he's actually using the exact same tactic Trump used at the start of his run. Exactly the same.
3/
"You people are losing. Only an outsider can keep you from losing again."
Avenatti may claim to be "taking on Trump" but he's actually using the exact same tactic Trump used at the start of his run. Exactly the same.
3/
The above post isn't a one-timer. It's not a momentary thought just blurted out. It's his go-to tactic.
A few days ago, he jumped into a thread of mine and posted the same false argument... and then thought the better of trying that with me and hastily deleted and blocked me.
4/
A few days ago, he jumped into a thread of mine and posted the same false argument... and then thought the better of trying that with me and hastily deleted and blocked me.
4/
The argument itself is flatly false.
1) Repubs nominating Trump has nothing whatsoever to do with Dems
2) Even with Russian interference; 20 yrs of the media bashing his opponent; a less energized Dem base; and a higher approval rating than he has today, Trump lost by 3 mil
5/
1) Repubs nominating Trump has nothing whatsoever to do with Dems
2) Even with Russian interference; 20 yrs of the media bashing his opponent; a less energized Dem base; and a higher approval rating than he has today, Trump lost by 3 mil
5/
Trump has never beaten a Democrat at the polls.
Trump is not an undefeated Goliath.
Trump has never - not once in his life - actually pulled more votes than a Democrat in a general election...
...and that's BEFORE the massive Dem uprising that has flipped 40 seats this year
6/
Trump is not an undefeated Goliath.
Trump has never - not once in his life - actually pulled more votes than a Democrat in a general election...
...and that's BEFORE the massive Dem uprising that has flipped 40 seats this year
6/
Here's the point:
Avenatti cannot be both brilliant and dumb at the same time. He cannot be both a super smart lawyer yet somehow clueless that his argument is actually deceptive and false - just like it was when Trump used it.
He is either manipulative or dumb... Pick one.
7/
Avenatti cannot be both brilliant and dumb at the same time. He cannot be both a super smart lawyer yet somehow clueless that his argument is actually deceptive and false - just like it was when Trump used it.
He is either manipulative or dumb... Pick one.
7/
If he's just not that bright, there's nothing more to talk about here. I don't think that's the case though...
If he's manipulative, people ought to be pretty damn scared.
This may seem benign now - but it seemed benign in 2015 too.
8/
If he's manipulative, people ought to be pretty damn scared.
This may seem benign now - but it seemed benign in 2015 too.
8/
When someone deliberately stokes fear AND the belief that they alone can protect you, be afraid.
That was Trump's formula. So far, it's Avenatti's too.
Populists are dangerous. It doesn't matter what side of the aisle they're on.
9/
That was Trump's formula. So far, it's Avenatti's too.
Populists are dangerous. It doesn't matter what side of the aisle they're on.
9/
If you think I'm overreacting or taking this too seriously, go visit the Joy Reid poll above.
Before Avenatti posted it, 65% of people were in the no/not interested camp.
After pushing it to his followers, he has now swung the "public opinion" by 15 points.
10/
Before Avenatti posted it, 65% of people were in the no/not interested camp.
After pushing it to his followers, he has now swung the "public opinion" by 15 points.
10/
That's what populists do.
They manipulate... and then hold up the results of their own work and cite it as "truth".
It is very easy for populists to gain momentum. It is very hard to stop them once they have.
See: Trump
11/
They manipulate... and then hold up the results of their own work and cite it as "truth".
It is very easy for populists to gain momentum. It is very hard to stop them once they have.
See: Trump
11/
If you don't see the danger in even the rhetoric that Dems are doomed, be fully prepared for what may come.
It looks a whole lot like 2016.
Qualified candidates squeezed out by a figure popular on only his side of the aisle who then goes on to lose the popular vote.
12/
It looks a whole lot like 2016.
Qualified candidates squeezed out by a figure popular on only his side of the aisle who then goes on to lose the popular vote.
12/
If it seems like the danger level is low here and I'm being over the top, I'd say only this:
Today isn't the problem. The problem is what happens three dominoes from now.
We're close to toppling a dangerous domino here.
13/
Today isn't the problem. The problem is what happens three dominoes from now.
We're close to toppling a dangerous domino here.
13/
If Avenatti's rhetoric and candidacy pick up momentum, be afraid.
It's root is an argument against the competency of Democrats.
It undermines enthusiasm, harms midterm candidates and will depress turnout...
...and there has never been a more dangerous time for that.
14/
It's root is an argument against the competency of Democrats.
It undermines enthusiasm, harms midterm candidates and will depress turnout...
...and there has never been a more dangerous time for that.
14/
If we don't win back control of at least the House in November, there is nothing whatsoever the 2020 winner will be able to do to undo the damage Trump will do between now and then.
All will be lost for years and years.
15/
All will be lost for years and years.
15/
...and for the record, Avenatti's argument isn't even true of R's.
Several of the primary contenders weren't "establishment politicians".
Carly Fiorina, for example, was a biz leader just like Trump.
Outsiders lose too.
The "straight-shooter" somehow left that part out.
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Several of the primary contenders weren't "establishment politicians".
Carly Fiorina, for example, was a biz leader just like Trump.
Outsiders lose too.
The "straight-shooter" somehow left that part out.
<end>
