“Avoiding” is merely not going that direction. Thomas’s word was “evading” which brings slyness and sneakiness to their actions. That really speaks volumes.
http://nation.foxnews.com/justice/2010/04/18/clarence-thomas-were-evading-eligibility-issues
From above....
“Oh really?” asked Serrano. “So you haven’t answered the one about whether I can serve as president, but you answer this one?”
“We’re evading that one,” answered Thomas, referring to questions of presidential eligibility and prompting laughter in the chamber. “We’re giving you another option.”