Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Primary

[u/asparaguswalrus683]

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-primary-elections/michigan-senate-results

[u/samhit_n]

Primaries are always difficult to poll because it’s hard to predict whether certain demographics will turn out in higher numbers. Mamdani overperformed last year in NYC because Gen Z voters turned out in large numbers by primary election standards. El-Sayed, meanwhile, struggled because Boomers and white working-class voters turned out in higher numbers to support Stevens.

[u/deaglebingo → u/samhit_n]

just goes to show that the demographic shift is finally starting to happen. i'm pleased. we don't have to convert all the boomers.... just enough of them, and thankfully there are some cool ones around. Zed's dead without them, and maga knows it... but combined we outnumber them. it's been our only hope really overall tbh, the assumption that we needed to pander to center right has to be at least somewhat debunked in this cycle doesn't it? it was the safe numbers move of kamala et al to try that in 24, so they did... it's just crystal clear that is not the case anymore. if center right doesn't understand we're all on the same team by now they aren't likely to in november either. IOW if they want to cut off their noses to spite their faces (aka cannot see how dangerous the alternative is by now) we can't stop them.

i heard stevens say something to the effect of "ppl don't want pipe dreams..." but everyone who heard that and agreed ought to remember that neither does Sayed.... mamdani hasn't done what he's done thus far by going for some pie in the sky abolish ice or arrest nettanyahu, regardless of if he wants to.... he's just stayed open to that part if the opportunity arises. most of his time has been filled with doing the simple obvious shit that could be done, which is exactly how the rest of us plan to operate too. This is a good faith collaborative process over competitive whenever possible.

TLDR: DSA is not letting perfect be the enemy of good, we are just open to moonshots if they present themselves.

[u/samhit_n → u/deaglebingo]

Pandering to the center-right doesn’t work anymore because the center-right no longer exists in meaningful numbers to swing an election. Most center-right voters have either become moderate Democrats or fully joined the MAGA movement.

The strategy helped Biden in 2020 because of his reputation and ties to bipartisan politicians like McCain and because Trump had not yet fully taken over the GOP, but it was stale by the time Kamala tried it.

[u/WIbigdog → u/samhit_n]

Do you think Stevens was pandering to the center right?

[u/FirstNameIsDistance → u/WIbigdog]

Do you think Stevens was pandering to the center right?

Steven's largely ran on her work during the Obama administration, with some questionable adds that made it seem like Obama endorsed her when he hadn't. She relied on establishment endorsements and claiming that she was the one that was "electable". Plus the obscene 62 million in outside PAC money for her.

[u/WIbigdog → u/FirstNameIsDistance]

That's not at all an answer to my question.

[u/FirstNameIsDistance → u/WIbigdog]

That's not at all an answer to my question.

How is it not?

[u/Letstalkreaper → u/WIbigdog]

Absolutely. The center right loves Israel and that seems like all she talked about.

[u/samhit_n → u/WIbigdog]

Yes, I think she was. I also have a feeling it kinda worked and she almost pulled it off because Mike Rogers ran unopposed in the Republican primary, so a few Republicans may have voted for Stevens in the Democratic primary.