“Mr. Avenatti has a tendency to sensationalize and make his various crusades more about himself than about getting at the truth,” said a senior Senate Democratic aide. “This moment calls for the exact opposite.”…

“If Michael Avenatti has any evidence, he should come forward promptly. If he has a client who has relevant information, I welcome hearing from him,” Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), a member of the judiciary committee, said in an interview. “If there are additional allegations to come forward, this would absolutely be the time because I don’t see us pursuing this matter much more than the next week or two at most.”

Coons suggested Avenatti should have followed in the footsteps of Ford, who “attempted to contact news outlets and the committee before Judge Kavanaugh was confirmed as being the nominee.” The senator added that her claims are “credible” because she was “trying to balance a deep yearning to remain confidential… while also wanting to make sure that the general public knew her allegations.” But Avenatti is thus far dragging his feet, according to committee aides and senators who say he has yet to provide the committee with evidence or any other information. As a result, some on their side of the aisle are skeptical of the claims.