Sanders condemns GOP attacks on Michigan Senate candidate

Sanders denounced comments by President Donald Trump and other Republicans about Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee in Michigan’s closely watched U.S. Senate race. Speaking on CBS’s Face the Nation on November 1, Sanders described the remarks as overt racism and said they should appall Americans.

Trump’s attacks on El-Sayed show the stakes of Michigan’s Senate race

President Donald Trump used an Iowa rally on November 1 to cast Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee in Michigan’s close Senate race, as a threat, including by repeatedly calling him a jihadist. Trump also suggested Congress would need special security screening if El-Sayed were elected. Sen. Bernie Sanders condemned the rhetoric as overt racism on CBS’s Face the Nation.

The attacks come as the Michigan contest could help determine which party controls the Senate. Trump praised Hayley Stevens, who was defeated by El-Sayed in Michigan’s Democratic primary and had refused to campaign with him. After demanding that El-Sayed reject an outside group’s ad about prices and U.S. military support for Israel’s war in Gaza, Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers.

Sanders said disagreement with El-Sayed’s positions, including Medicare for All and taxing billionaires, was no excuse for racist attacks. He predicted voters would reject what he called ugliness. Sanders also said criticism of Israel’s right-wing government and U.S. support for it should not be equated with antisemitism, while stressing that antisemitism must not be tolerated.

Trump praised Rogers and invited Stevens to join the Republican Party. El-Sayed’s race remains a nationally watched contest ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections.

Sanders condemns GOP rhetoric as El-Sayed faces Senate voters

Sen. Bernie Sanders is condemning Republican criticism of Abdul El-Sayed as racist, turning attention from the Michigan Democrat’s record and positions to the language used by his opponents. On CBS’s Face the Nation on November 1, Sanders said the rhetoric from President Donald Trump and others should appall Americans.

Trump attacked El-Sayed at an Iowa rally, repeatedly describing him as a jihadist and warning that he would be dangerous in Congress. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz had also voiced concern about El-Sayed’s alleged support for the Muslim Brotherhood. Those are serious claims in a race that could help decide Senate control, and voters are weighing them as they approach Tuesday’s midterms.

Sanders argued that policy disputes over Medicare for All and taxing billionaires are fair, but said they do not justify what he called overt racism. He also rejected the idea that criticism of Israel’s government is inherently antisemitic, while affirming that antisemitism is dangerous and unacceptable.

The contest has also split Democrats. Hayley Stevens, defeated by El-Sayed in the primary, declined to campaign with him and demanded he disavow an outside group’s ad linking rising prices with U.S. military support for Israel’s war in Gaza. She later endorsed Republican Mike Rogers, drawing criticism from Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.