Obama Vows El-Sayed Will Reverse Wayne County's 51% Loss

Barack Obama spoke at Cass Technical High School in Detroit on Saturday to address a deficit that defines the current Senate race. The former president told a crowd of thousands that Abdul El-Sayed must win back Wayne County, where the Democratic nominee trails significantly from the primary results. Early voting in Michigan began the same day, ahead of the November 3 general election. Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic candidate for governor, also addressed the audience.

In the August primary, El-Sayed defeated Haley Stevens. However, Stevens won Wayne County by a margin of 51 percent to 45 percent. Obama stated that El-Sayed is fighting for change that will get money out of politics and put money in voters' pockets. He added that his running mate will finish the work started with the Affordable Care Act to ensure affordable healthcare for Americans.

The former president criticized Donald Trump for enriching his family and setting a culture of taking favors at the top. Obama described the current administration as intent on selling favors. He also mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for focusing on the jawline and testosterone levels of troops. Obama asked the crowd how much time Hegseth spends in front of a mirror.

On the topic of tariffs, Obama noted that Trump was toughest on Canada. He referred to the country as a well-known evil empire located just across the bridge from Detroit. Obama joked that the people across the border provided Martin Short and maple syrup. He also critiqued Trump's White House renovations, suggesting the leader should appear on home improvement television.

The rally was part of Obama's first weekend of in-person campaigning for the midterms. Earlier in the day, he campaigned in Cleveland, Ohio, for Sherrod Brown and Amy Acton. Questions had arisen about whether Obama would endorse El-Sayed because the Senate nominee once described the Affordable Care Act as an incremental fix. The two men spoke by phone after the primary, and El-Sayed has described Obama as a mentor.

Obama acknowledged that El-Sayed did not like some things he did as president. He noted that they would not agree on every detail of every issue. Obama said Michelle Obama does not agree with everything he does either. Slotkin, a featured speaker at the event, told the crowd that Michigan believes in electing fighters. She added that the Democratic team is putting a check and balance on Donald Trump in the White House.

A Marist poll of likely voters conducted in mid-October placed El-Sayed at 50 percent and Mike Rogers at 48 percent. RealClearPolitics averages show El-Sayed ahead by about 2.6 points. The Cook Political Report rates the contest a toss-up. Trump is scheduled to visit Port Huron on Sunday for a rally with state Republicans. If elected, El-Sayed would be the first Muslim and first Egyptian American in the US Senate.