Avenatti is right: Democrats need to fight fire with fire
By Julian Zelizer, CNN Political Analyst
Updated 6:54 PM ET, Sat August 11, 2018
(CNN)In a speech at a Democratic fundraiser in Iowa, attorney Michael Avenatti, who is toying with a potential presidential run in 2020, made a provocative statement. He rejected the famous advice of former first lady Michelle Obama who said, "When they go low, we go high."
Avenatti, who entered into the political spotlight through his defense of Stephanie Clifford, the adult film actress known as Stormy Daniels, told an excited crowd in northern Iowa that "we must be a party that fights fire with fire. When they go low, I say hit back harder."
Avenatti is right. With two critical elections on the horizon -- 2018 and 2020 -- Democrats need to wake up from their civil slumber and understand that turning back the modern Republican Party, with President Donald Trump as its Batman and the Freedom Caucus as its Robin, will necessitate engaging directly in the hard-hitting, media-centered, political combat zone within which elections are now determined.
Despite the weaknesses that were exposed about the GOP in Tuesday's special elections, the Democratic Party should certainly not make the same mistake it did in 2016, believing that the nation would inevitably reject the kind of politics that Trump represents.
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https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/11/opinions/avenatti-dems-fire-with-fire-opinion-zelizer/index.html
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Trump is a bully and the only way to handle a bully is to go right at him and show no fear.
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I'm with you. #lovetrumpshate 
I'm sure he views himself as a force for good against dolt45. I know that anger motivates people in one way, but hope does in another. We will win on hope. We just can not rest after victory, this time. I've posted before that we need to be just as vigilant as the anti-choice, anti-gay rights, anti-regulatory, climate change denying, and anti-people voters. They never give up. 
I think I may need to change my avatar to match yours 
same techniques as 'The Donald' himself uses? When someone hits you, hit back harder. 
I agree we shouldn't be the GOP's doormat, but "going Trump on them" is a little more than I can stomach. 
that we shouldn't be the GOP's doormat. I just don't want to get caught up in the same seedy, cut-throat game Trump is into.
Hey, do a good job on the meteor shower tonight, alright? 
"Avenatti, who entered into the political spotlight through his defense of Stephanie Clifford, the adult film actress known as Stormy Daniels, told an excited crowd in northern Iowa that "we must be a party that fights fire with fire. When they go low, I say hit back harder." Not a word about lying, just "hit back harder". That's right out of Trump's playbook.
Everyone just tunes it all out. It may feel good, but it doesn't work for us. There was another candidate that ran on "we're all getting screwed". It just doesn't work as well on our side. That's not OUR winning message. We're about what this country could be if we work together.
Great post. 
Works for them, not us.
Feet to pavement, we need to play each district in a customized manner. That's how this thing is going to be won....district by district. The party will need to adjust for each race.
What works in your part of the woods may not work in mine. The "people's economy" may work for you and constituents that you're familiar with. Politics are local! We gotta speak/meet with the people where they are.
We should tread really carefully when talking about which issues are considered to be distractions. Messaging in this area is crucial. I can not stress this enough.
At a time when republicans were sweeping the nation, Louisiana elected a Democrat to the governorship. All three major cities (Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport) are all ran by black women. It's the first time in our history! They all ran on social justice platforms. That's what motivated folks in my part of the woods. Mary Landrieu lost her Senator's race by running away from such issues. Gov. Bell Edwards ran on healthcare, protecting our wildlife and fisheries, education reform, and criminal justice reform. Again, politics are local.
I'm with you on the infrastructure, environment, and other issues. I think economics has to be a part of our overall message. It's only a part, though. If economics were all that we needed, we would not have Rep. Gianforte. We'd have Rob
Quist, the defeated Democratic candidate. Quist had a solid economic message, talked about education, healthcare, and was not an insider. A man who beat up a reporter defeated him.... Handedly.
This was great! You've made some excellent points. Whichever direction the party heads, it will be loads better than the alternative. Just one caveat.... we can not try to out do them (republicans) at their own game. It will not work for us. Cheers, DemocracyMouse! 
Maybe start a thread focused on your "civil infrastructure" concept to see what kind of feedback you get. It may be illuminating. If possible, consider waiting until a slow news day so that more would see and then hopefully respond. The more ideas, the better. 
