Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders defended Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, while New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler argued that his record warranted reelection, during separate interviews on CBS News' "Face the Nation" on Nov. 1. The broadcast came on the final weekend before midterm elections that could change the balance of power in Washington, with more than 52 million votes already cast.
Sanders, who is not seeking reelection this cycle, said his campaigning reflected a belief that candidates should take no race for granted. Asked about his attention to Florida and Minnesota, which CBS rated as likely Republican and likely Democratic respectively, he praised Florida candidate Angie Nixon's grassroots effort. He said economic frustration and the difficulties people face paying for food, fuel and rent were helping candidates connect with working-class voters.
In Michigan, Sanders dismissed concerns that divisions among Democrats would prevent an El-Sayed victory. Rep. Haley Stevens, who lost the primary, has expressed reservations about supporting him, including concerns about his positions on Israel and advertisements backing his candidacy. Moderator Margaret Brennan noted that El-Sayed had said the advertisements were not his. Sanders also said he had no involvement in them.
Sanders condemned attacks portraying El-Sayed, a medical doctor, as a terrorist or jihadist. Brennan played remarks from President Trump and Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and Bernie Moreno criticizing the candidate, who would become the country's first sitting Muslim senator if elected. She also noted that El-Sayed had disavowed the Muslim Brotherhood after accusations of ties to the group. Sanders described the attacks as racist and predicted that voters would reject them.
Asked about concerns that criticism of Israel could constitute antisemitism, Sanders said antisemitism was unacceptable while arguing that opposition to the Israeli government should be distinguished from hostility toward Jewish people. He defended criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu's government and opposition to American taxpayer support for it.
Sanders also criticized a Democratic effort to influence the Alaska Senate ballot, calling it "pretty dumb," but maintained that it was not illegal. His comments followed Brennan's questions about a possible Justice Department challenge to certification and Republican objections to seating Mary Peltola if she won. Sanders said Alaska's voters should make the decision themselves.
Lawler, meanwhile, predicted victory in his closely watched New York district. He said his office had resolved more than 10,000 constituent cases and brought over $140 million back to the district during the past four years. He also cited 17 bills signed into law and an endorsement from Democratic Rep. Jared Golden. Pressed on affordability, Lawler pointed to tax cuts, an increase in the state and local tax deduction cap, and housing legislation he said would expand supply and lower prices.
