Democratic strategist Brad Gerstman thinks it was a mistake for Democrats to throw their support behind Stormy Daniels’ lawyer Michael Avenatti, and said he faces an uphill battle if he files a lawsuit against The Daily Caller News Foundation.

“If Michael Avenatti knows that these [claims] are untrue, then there would be an action here,” Gerstman said on Fox News’ “Outnumbered Overtime” Tuesday. “He’s a public figure so obviously the malice aspect has to be included in it. It’s a different set of circumstances when it’s a non-public figure. However, I think on a political point, I think that the Democrats, my party, have made a terrible mistake here.” (RELATED: Michael Avenatti Says We’ve Only Just Begun)

Gerstman said the Democrats pushed Avenatti out into the spotlight to attack their political enemies, but it only served to strengthen the president’s base.

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“You know they’re pushing him forward in the attack mode. And all that time that he’s doing it, Trump has improved his position, has improved his popularity,” Gerstman continued. “It has further strengthened the president’s base. So, you know, Michael Avenatti’s being used as a pawn here. And really as a tool of the Democratic Party. He doesn’t realize it yet, because he’s being encouraged left and right.”

Avenatti sent an email to DCNF reporter Peter Hasson Monday, in response to an article about his personal past, threatening to take legal action against the company. Avenatti claims the article is full of “lies” and “defamatory statements.”

“If you think I’m kidding, you really don’t know anything about me. This is the last warning,” the email read. Hasson later posted the message to Twitter.

Note: @MichaelAvenatti tried to call this off record, which of course aren’t terms I agreed to since it was an uninvited email pic.twitter.com/Ve6Guftwqq — Peter J. Hasson (@peterjhasson) May 14, 2018

The article in question was written by DCNF reporters Peter Hasson and Joe Simonson and is entitled: “With Avenatti In The Spotlight, His Own Questionable Past Emerges.”

It describes Avenatti’s business dealings as chaotic and claims he was embroiled in various lawsuits and bankruptcy issues throughout his career. The article also referenced people who’ve “worked with Avenatti,” who described him as being obsessed with fame and success.

“[Avenatti’s] wearing the explosive vest and he’s blowing himself up in front of the public,” Gerstman concluded Tuesday.

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