Washington Examiner chief political correspondent Byron York said Democrats are hoping to capitalize on Michigan voters’ dislike of President Donald Trump, but that strategy may not be translating into as much support for Democratic Senate nominee Abdul el Sayed as they expect.
“The president is pretty unpopular overall in Michigan,” York said Monday on Fox Business’s Kudlow. “Now the Democrats are counting on disapproval of Trump to translate into votes for Abdul el Sayed.”
York highlighted a Fox News poll of registered Michigan voters, showing Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers has the lead in the race at 51% compared to el Sayed’s 47%.
The poll also found that 59% of people had an unfavorable view of Trump.
“Only 47% say they’re going to vote for el Sayed,” York said. “There’s some people out there who don’t like Trump, but they may not like el Sayed even more. That’s a big problem, and that’s what [Democrats are] worried about.”
While el Sayed has not said he is a socialist, and the Democratic Socialists of America has not backed him, he has still received support from socialists such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
“A lot of research has shown that the DSA sweet spot are people with a lot of graduate degrees who are underperforming financially in their careers, and that’s kind of who they are,” York said.
York said Republicans are pointing to the DSA platform.
“The DSA has been kind enough to write down all of its positions and give them to us,” York said.
The platform, called “Workers Deserve More,” includes abolishing the Senate, granting amnesty for all immigrants, defunding the War Department, and replacing the Electoral College with a national popular vote for president.
York said some high-profile Democrats are even distancing themselves from socialist views, but the movement could be taking over the party.
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“You’re seeing people like Hakeem Jeffries and others, say, ‘No, I don’t agree with that, I don’t agree with abolishing the Senate, I don’t agree with getting rid of the presidency, I don’t agree with these things,’ and you’re going to force Democrats to actually contend with what DSA actually believes,” York said.
The midterm elections will take place on Nov. 3.