Abdul El-Sayed's victory in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary offers a model for how Democrats can counter Donald Trump's political challenge, according to Peter Beinart. If El-Sayed wins the general election this fall, he will have created a template for his party.
A progressive nationalism
El-Sayed's campaign is innovative in its blend of nationalism and progressivism. Unlike some democratic socialists who focus on human rights, El-Sayed links US military aid to Israel with unmet needs at home. In a recent interview, he emphasized his focus on domestic issues, saying, "It is not my job as an American policymaker to decide what the ultimate peace should be. But it is my job to make sure that our resources are stewarded correctly for the people I’m responsible for: those kids going to those broken schools."
This approach turns Trump's America First rhetoric on its head. While Trump fused nationalism with imperialism, El-Sayed fuses it with progressivism, condemning military aid that violates human rights abroad and denies resources to Americans.
Turning financial disadvantage into strength
El-Sayed also demonstrated how to counter the GOP's financial advantage. In the primary's final weeks, outside Super Pacs supporting his opponent spent over 12 times more on TV ads. El-Sayed used this to his advantage by highlighting his opponent's funding from Aipac and other special interests, turning it into an electoral liability.
His focus on the source of donations resonated with voters, who repeatedly brought up Aipac and corporate influence. This strategy could be crucial for Democrats facing Republican spending, with groups like Elon Musk's announced $100m support and GOP committees raising nearly $600m more than their Democratic counterparts.
A roadmap for reclaiming nationalism and populism
El-Sayed's campaign offers a template: make the money the issue and rely on small donors. While not guaranteed to work everywhere, the corruption of Trump's presidency and wealth inequality present an opportunity. If El-Sayed wins, he'll have handed Democrats a roadmap to reclaim nationalism and populism.
