Jonathan Bernstein, Columnist

Michael Avenatti’s Downfall Has a Lesson for Democrats

Don’t embrace con artists and frauds. Even if Republicans do.

July 9, 2021 at 11:30 AM UTC

Jonathan Bernstein is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics. A former professor of political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio, he wrote A Plain Blog About Politics.

Too good on TV.
Photographer: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

This article is for subscribers only.

Get Jonathan Bernstein’s newsletter every morning in your inbox. Click here to subscribe.

I’ve been giving the Republican Party a hard time recently. The sentencing of Michael Avenatti on Thursday for trying to extort $20 million from Nike Inc. is a good reminder of mistakes Democrats have made — and the important difference between the parties that Democrats would be wise to remember.