Eric Holder modifies Michelle Obama's golden rule, says 'when they go low, we kick them'

Eric Holder.
(Image credit: Screenshot/Twitter/RNCResearch)

Democratic 2020 presidential prospects just can't resist channeling Michelle Obama — for better or for worse.

The latest modification of the former first lady's 2016 Democratic National Convention speech comes from former Attorney General Eric Holder. At a recent campaign event for Georgia's Democratic nominee for governor, Stacey Abrams, Holder co-opted Obama's words, saying, "Michelle always says, 'When they go low, we go high.' No. When [Republicans] go low, we kick them."

Holder's forceful words were quickly labeled an "Avenattism" by Politico editor Blake Hounshell, referring to Michael Avenatti's August slammer: "When they go low, hit them harder."

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Avenatti is the lawyer for Stormy Daniels, the porn star who says she had an affair with President Trump. Like Holder, Avenatti has been discussed as a potential Democratic candidate for president. Avenatti's celebrity status has earned comparisons to a Trump-like anti-Trump, while Holder has said he's "interested" in running in 2020. And, funnily enough, neither man seems to have noticed that co-opting someone's very famous words is low enough on its own.

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Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.