Sanders Warns of Ugly Ads in Michigan

Bernie Sanders told viewers on CBS's Face the Nation that the campaign ads attacking Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed are disgusting and racist. The independent senator from Vermont spoke from Burlington just hours before voters in 50 states went to the polls for the midterm elections.

Sanders joined the broadcast alongside New York Republican Mike Lawler and Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro. The show, moderated by Margaret Brennan, focused on the final push for the November general election. More than 52 million votes had already been cast, leaving tens of millions of ballots yet to be counted.

The senator addressed ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party in Michigan. Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who lost the primary, has publicly expressed misgivings about backing El-Sayed. Stevens cited concerns about his views on Israel and specific ads that El-Sayed says are not his own. Sanders acknowledged the close primary race but argued that voters in Michigan are uniting behind El-Sayed to defeat Republican Mike Rogers.

Sanders described Rogers as a rubber stamp for the Trump administration. He noted that the race is critical because it challenges what he called the most dangerous president in United States history. He cited President Donald Trump's recent rallies, where the president claimed Republican prospects were strong and predicted a surprise victory.

The interview highlighted specific attacks against El-Sayed, who would become the first sitting Muslim senator if he wins. Sanders quoted Senator Ted Cruz and President Trump, both of whom raised concerns about El-Sayed's ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Trump stated that Michigan does not need a senator on the side of terrorists. Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio questioned whether El-Sayed understood that American rights come from God.

Sanders called this level of rhetoric overt racism. He pointed out that El-Sayed is a medical doctor and that the ads label him a terrorist and a jihadist. Sanders said he has never seen such fearmongering ads in his life. He predicted a victory for El-Sayed, believing voters would rebel against the ugliness of the campaign.

Brennan asked Sanders how he responds to the view that criticizing aid to Israel constitutes anti-Jewish hate. Sanders, who is Jewish, said his father's family was wiped out by Hitler. He stated that antisemitism is a dangerous ideology that has killed millions. However, he argued that criticizing a right-wing extremist government led by Benjamin Netanyahu is not antisemitism. He maintained that American taxpayers should not spend a nickel supporting that government.

The conversation also touched on the Alaska Senate race. Republican Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana claimed fraud was perpetrated against Alaskans. He said Mary Peltola should not be seated if she wins in a fraudulent manner. Sanders said the Democrats' actions in Alaska seemed dumb but were not illegal. He noted that similar ballot stacking happens in every election, referencing a candidate running in Ohio.