Porn star lawyer Michael Avenatti warned Democrats on Thursday that they won’t defeat President Trump in 2020 unless they accept the need to toughen up security at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Without agreeing to that, Democrats could lose as badly as then-Massachusetts Gov. Mike Dukakis lost to then-Vice President George H.W. Bush in 1988, he argued.
“In 1988, Michael Dukakis lost the presidential race because of the Willie Horton ad and his refusal to fight fire with fire and go on the offensive,” Avenatti tweeted on Thursday. “The Dems will not effectively combat Trump’s racist ad of earlier today or capture the WH if we make the same mistake again.”
[Also read: Nancy Pelosi promises no civility unless Democrats win the midterm elections]
In 1988, Michael Dukakis lost the presidential race because of the Willie Horton ad and his refusal to fight fire with fire and go on the offensive. The Dems will not effectively combat Trump’s racist ad of earlier today or capture the WH if we make the same mistake again. #Basta
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) November 1, 2018
He was referring to an ad Trump has tweeted out that features an illegal immigrant who mocks the courtroom as he’s being tried on charges that he killed two California sheriff’s deputies. Trump’s critics said the ad was “sickening” and “divisive.”
But Avenatti said the way to fight back is for Democrats to finally accept that tougher border enforcement is needed, a position many Democrats are reluctant to take. Aside from just losing to Trump in 2020, Avenatti said the lack of a more middle-ground stance on the border could also hurt Democrats in next week’s midterm elections.
“There is too much at stake in the midterms for the Dems to allow the Repubs to use the caravan, which is so obviously a set-up, as a wedge issue,” Avenatti tweeted. “It is time for the Dems to step up and be strong on border security. We cannot once again be painted as weak and then lose.”
He added that Democrats have to be “strong” on border security in part because Republicans are too easily exploiting Democrats on that issue.
“We can have secure borders and yet still be compassionate,” he tweeted. “They are not mutually exclusive.”
Let me repeat what I have been saying for months. We have to be strong on border security! It is the number one issue being used against the Dems. We can have secure borders and yet still be compassionate. They are not mutually exclusive. https://t.co/sPTsjoZ6GT
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) November 1, 2018
Avenatti represents porn star lawyer Stormy Daniels and immigrant families who have been separated at the border. He has said he’s exploring a 2020 White House bid against Trump.
