Well, there goes the one candidate that would have guaranteed YUGE ratings for the Democratic debates. Michael Avenatti formally announced this morning that he won’t be running for president in 2020.

I don’t know if I want to laugh or… laugh at this news.

Though Avenatti for weeks has been testing the presidential race waters — along with dozens of other potential candidates — he cited family concerns in deciding against a run.

“After consultation with my family and at their request, I have decided not to seek the Presidency of the United States in 2020. I do not make this decision lightly—I make it out of respect for my family. But for their concerns, I would run,” Avenatti said in a statement posted to Twitter Tuesday.

Please see my statement below regarding 2020. pic.twitter.com/ztCfZUY6hA

— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) December 4, 2018

Avenatti had said earlier this year that he was exploring a presidential bid. Avenatti, in August, even posted a document highlighting his position on a range of issues, titled “What I Believe.”

He added: “I remain concerned that the Democratic Party will move toward nominating an individual who might make an exceptional President but has no chance of actually beating Donald Trump.”

On that point, he and Republicans agreed.

“For all of his flaws, Michael Avenatti has one thing right: the Democratic field is a disaster and the likely candidates ‘have no real chance at winning,'” Republican National Committee spokesman Michael Ahrens told Fox News.

Yes, I’m sure that it’s completely because he is respecting his family’s wishes and not because the media has fallen out of love with him, he has a pending misdemeanor charge for domestic abuse, and because Stormy Daniels threatened to leave him before making up with him this last weekend.

I’m sure it isn’t because he owes millions to his former colleague at his law firm or because he reportedly owes millions in back taxes to the IRS.

I’m sure it has nothing to do with the ongoing divorce from wife #2.

And it has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the criminal referral by the Senate Judiciary committee after his shenanigans during the Kavanaugh confirmation.

He’s just TOTALLY respecting his family’s wishes, you know. Because he knows he could beat Donald Trump, and is already worrying that the Democrats won’t nominate “a fighter.”

Or maybe he’s just admitting to the inevitable?

TRUMP WINS https://t.co/g5ONqRPADZ

— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) December 4, 2018

Avenatti was polling at 1 percent. His handling of Julie Swetnick was a disaster. He was recently charged with domestic violence. He doesn't have Trump's instincts and Democrats don't have an appetite for a Trump-like candidate. He would have lost badly and embarrassed himself.

— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) December 4, 2018

But the rest of us are lamenting just what might have been.

DAMMIT https://t.co/l03ieHKz8j

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 4, 2018

It’s a shame. Those Democratic debates would have been comedy gold.

Featured image: Michael Avenatti via Fox News YouTube channel screenshot