As The Guardian noted in an article posted overnight:
Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who lost the Michigan Democratic Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed, endorsed his Republican rival, Mike Rogers, in an extraordinary rebuke of her party's nominee on the eve of the midterm elections.
Her endorsement came in a video posted to X after she attended an event with Rogers at the predominantly Black Perfecting church in Detroit on Sunday. Stevens's endorsement was the culmination of an escalating feud between the former primary rivals – primarily over support for Israel – that has roiled one of the most fiercely contested Senate contests of the cycle.
The story is highly significant.
Firstly, there is the racism involved. Abdul El-Sayed has been viciously attacked on racist grounds by Republicans, including by Donald Trump, who casually calls him Mohammed, which is not his name, which name is being used by Trump as a form of abuse at multiple levels.
Secondly, there is the role of Israel and its power to divide, in the creation of which division Israel is an active participant. No state might ever have gained as much influence over the politics of other countries without having occupied them as Israel under Benjamin Netanyahu now does. And I stress, this is a comment about politics, the particular role of the current Israeli government, and nothing else.
Thirdly, there is neoliberalism. Abdul El-Sayed challenges it. Haley Stevens is so in favour of it that she is willing to cross party lines and endorse a Republican, and by implication Trump, in what I hope will be a vain attempt to stop a democratic socialist being elected in Michigan, giving rise to an increased level of opposition to the pernicious influence of neoliberalism within the US Senate.
Fourth, there is then the role of the single transferable party, which is a phenomenon we see in the UK when the economic policies of the Tories, Labour, Liberal Democrats and maybe other parties are virtually interchangeable, but which exists just as strongly in the USA, where many Democrats and Republicans share a very clear ideology on most economic issues.
But most of all, and fifth, what is apparent is the dislike of the ‘other' and the threat that a person who does not represent the established view poses to those who think power is theirs by right, even when, as Abdul El-Sayed has, that opponent has won popular support.
For me, Abdul El-Sayed is a symbol of hope that change is possible. That doesn't mean I agree with everything he has said, or will say. Politics is never that simple. What he represents is the possibility of change, and when the system we have is rotten to its very core, as protests around the world are proving, the need for change is incredibly high, and the fear of it amongst those with power is very apparent.
That, of course, creates tension. Change would never happen without that.
It also creates risk. Anyone should appreciate that.
But it also creates possibility, and that possibility is what the likes of Haley Stevens seek to deny the people of Michigan.
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…and that makes the Establishment extremely dangerous.
‘Was watching the superb PBS documentary about the Vietnam war over the weekend – just as sentiment against that war was picking up – Martin Luther King slain, Bobby Kennedy slain, hard line policing everywhere, huge division in society.
I hope El-Sayed stays safe. Too me he is a real American in his values – and I’m talking about Roosevelt type values – domestic ones at least.
Well said, Richard.
This election may well be seen by future historians as a crucial pivot point away from the appalling political economics of neoliberalism, and the long-awaited funeral of Margaret Thatcher’s ghastly assertion that there is no alternative.
El-Sayed is possessed of a level of dignity and intelligence that Trump can only dream off.
Thanks, John
At the UK end, the good news is that, (better inexcusably late than never) the support for “Christian” nationalism and far right/fascist politics amongst actual practicing (rather than “cultural/identity”) Christians is declining in UK.
A recent report from think-tank THEOS
https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/research/2026/10/10/beyond-christian-nationalism-measuring-attitudes-to-christianity-and-britishness-today
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/11/christian-nationalism-uk-far-right-people-rarely-go-to-church-report
suggests that where there is still support, it is from those whose link to Christianity is one of identity rather than one of faith or practice, and is less inclined to involve church attendance or engagement with prayer or scripture or any form of practical service. Terms such as “Judaeo-Christian values” or “Christian” are for them, ciphers, for white ethnic identity, not for Jesus-centred religious belief.
I remain deeply ashamed that the Christian community has taken so long to wake up, and realise parallels between their guillibility and those of the Deutsche Kristen a century ago.
One reason is that it is now possible to demonstrate the case for Israel’s war-crimes using only the words of Israeli witnesses, in Israeli government minister’s rabid pronouncements, IDF confessions of murder, and their videos of it on social media, as well as from Israeli human rights organisations and Israeli press. They now tell us what Palestinians have told us for decades, but because these witnesses are not Palestinian, they get believed.
I watched NAZA recently at the Watershed in Bristol. It didn’t shock me. What shocks me is how many other people were shocked by it. Where have they been for the last few (80) years?
The tide is slowly turning. But our government still lacks the courage and moral fibre to respond. Now the Knesset kingmakers are 19 Arab MKs voted in by a massive turnout of Bedouin women. What next? The mid-terms in USA? Hold tight!
Much to agree with. I had seen that.
There are alternative voices available.
This guy is having a deep influence on me – he is a Palestinian Arab Israeli Christian theologian, born 1967 during 6 day war, in Jerusalem, now living in Nazareth.
https://www.regent-college.edu/resources/2026/january/video–yohanna-katanacho-on-faith-justice-and-peacemaking.php
He walks the talk. If anyone watches the video do watch it to the end.
Thank you, Robert
‘Christian nationalism’ is a contradiction in terms. Jesus was not a nationalist. The kingdom of which he spoke is in heaven. He preached equality of all ethnicities and for the humanity of the excluded. The rebellious Jews of first century Palestine were seeking a nationalist messiah to throw out the Romans. Jesus wasn’t interested and that led to his crucifixion. The very idea of Christian nationalism is a monstrous heresy.
Much to agree with
Yes, proportional representation should be a human right.
It’s a not a solution to the problems (despite having it in Germany we also are having strong right-wing parties) but it can at least prevent the worst.
Otherwise one obviously only has to illusion of a choice.
The democrats are incapable of governing as the republicans are, they have both proven it.
It’s time for the Americans to vote Green, give them a try at least.
That would be fun, a House of Representatives lead by the Green party and a heavy influence in the Senate.
I think Trump would simply explode. “^^
I always find Abdul El-Sayed very interesting to listen to. He is articulate, intelligent, prepared to listen when others speak and has a wonderful, dry sense of humour (see the ‘I will go through a metal detector every day, Donald, if you have a lie detector test once’ clip).
And he offers an alternative, something that offers hope and the chance of something better for everyone.
I really hope he wins the seat.
Craig
Me too.
It looks likely….
Thank you, Richard.
Readers may not be aware that Sayed, a doctor of Egyptian parentage, was a Rhodes scholar and came across the NHS. He supports an American NHS.
When readers watch reporting of Stevens and Rogers, please note their two young Israeli women minders, Abigail Ronson and Jesse Stokes, both seconded by the Israeli government to their press offices.
British, and now American, society is increasingly divided over support for Israel vs Palestine rather than economic policy or domestic issues.
Just a minor observation, however I did hear that he doesn’t describe himself as a democratic socialist because he supports capitalism.
And what does he mean by capitalism?
Probably private business, so I think you make a good point.
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