{"id":2652136,"date":"2026-08-31T08:37:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T12:37:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bernie-sanders-says-democrats-arent-enthusiastic-enough-about-el-sayed\/"},"modified":"2026-08-31T08:38:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T12:38:48","slug":"bernie-sanders-says-democrats-arent-enthusiastic-enough-about-el-sayed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bernie-sanders-says-democrats-arent-enthusiastic-enough-about-el-sayed\/","title":{"rendered":"Bernie Sanders says Democrats aren&#8217;t enthusiastic enough about el Sayed"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbernie-sanders-says-democrats-arent-enthusiastic-enough-about-el-sayed%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2652136&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) criticized Democrats for thier lack of enthusiasm for michigan Senate candidate Abdul el Sayed, focusing on party leadership&#8217;s concerns over his association with controversial streamer Hasan piker. Sanders, who endorsed el Sayed in the Democratic primary against Rep. Haley Stevens, highlighted internal divisions within the party, with establishment Democrats favoring the more centrist candidate. During the campaign, el Sayed appeared on Piker\u2019s podcast, drawing criticism from both parties due to Piker\u2019s past inflammatory comments about Israel, Jews, and 9\/11. Sanders acknowledged Piker\u2019s mistakes but argued that Democrats were distracted by the controversy instead of focusing on economic issues like healthcare and climate change. Several Democratic legislators condemned Piker\u2019s role, calling his comments malicious and inappropriate. Despite initial resistance from party leaders,they eventually supported el Sayed,with Senate Minority Leader chuck Schumer endorsing him after his primary victory. the Michigan Senate race remains highly competitive, with the state narrowly supporting Trump in recent elections and the race rated a \u201ctoss-up\u201d by the Cook Political report.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen.<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bernie-sanders\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"41\"> Bernie Sanders<\/a> (I-VT) criticized <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrats\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"249\">Democrats<\/a> for their lack of enthusiasm for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/michigan\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"655\">Michigan<\/a> Democratic Senate nominee <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/abdul-el-sayed\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"23138\">Abdul el Sayed<\/a>, arguing that party leaders should focus less on el Sayed\u2019s association with controversial Twitch streamer <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hasan-piker\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"22479\">Hasan Piker<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sanders, who has played kingmaker for the Democratic Party\u2019s progressive flank, endorsed el Sayed during his primary campaign against Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). The primary exposed divisions within the party, with establishment Democratic leaders backing Stevens, a more centrist candidate, over el Sayed\u2019s progressive platform.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4705818\/bernie-sanders-top-democrats-not-enthusiastic-enough-el-sayed-win-michigan\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Bernie Sanders says top Democrats aren\u2019t enthusiastic enough about el Sayed to win Michigan<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4704789\/rubio-stays-off-midterm-campaign-trail\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Rubio stays off campaign trail as Trump Cabinet rallies behind Republicans<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4704764\/seth-moulton-age-ed-markey-massachusetts-senate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Octogenarian Ed Markey\u2019s progressive credentials outweigh age concerns in Massachusetts<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">El Sayed also appeared on Piker\u2019s podcast during the campaign, drawing criticism from Democrats and Republicans over his association with the streamer, who has<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/4704523\/democrats-divorce-themselves-from-toxic-hasan-piker\/\"> faced condemnation <\/a>for inflammatory comments about <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/israel\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"219\">Israel<\/a>, Jews, and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sanders acknowledged that Piker has made comments that should be rejected, but he argued that Democrats are allowing the controversy to distract from el Sayed\u2019s economic populism.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou\u2019re talking about a small number of people who are at the head of the Democratic Party,\u201d Sanders <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/politico\/status\/2094362240535130242?s=20\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/politico\/status\/2094362240535130242?s=20\">said in an interview<\/a> with <em>Politico<\/em>. \u201cYou\u2019re talking about the donor class. Are they less than enthusiastic about Abdul? Yes, they are.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Michigan, talks poolside with streamer Hasan Piker at a party for content creators supporting his campaign, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo\/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/AP26215716145202_bac87e.jpg6a95756fd5f36.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Michigan, talks poolside with streamer Hasan Piker at a party for content creators supporting his campaign, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo\/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several Democrats have<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4700059\/hasan-piker-condemnation-progressives-asset\/\"> publicly condemned<\/a> Piker and his growing role in political discourse this election cycle.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) said \u201cthe Democratic Party does not stand for what Hasan Piker stands for,\u201d while Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI) called Piker \u201ca hack who thrives on hate, shock and awe because he lacks substance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">House Minority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hakeem-jeffries\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"790\">Hakeem Jeffries<\/a> (D-NY) also condemned Piker, saying his comments regarding Jewish Americans were \u201cmalicious\u201d and \u201cshould not be tolerated by anyone in the public square.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLike every other podcaster in the world, he says dumb things that people should reject,\u201d Sanders said of Piker, arguing that Republicans are using the controversy to avoid addressing economic issues.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sanders also dismissed Republican attacks over Democrats\u2019 ideological labels as a distraction from issues including healthcare costs, the minimum wage, and climate change.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur job is to talk real issues, to refute their stupid, often bigoted charges, and I think we do that,\u201d Sanders said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4677479\/democratic-party-big-tent-messaging-ideological-differences-2026-elections\/\">DEMOCRATS FROM OPPOSITE SIDES OF PARTY ALL RALLY BEHIND \u2018BIG TENT\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the Democratic establishment\u2019s initial resistance to el Sayed during the primary, party leaders have since rallied behind him as they seek to flip the Michigan Senate seat and reclaim the upper chamber\u2019s majority. Senate Minority Leader<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chuck-schumer\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"384\"> Chuck Schumer <\/a>(D-NY) has endorsed el Sayed following his primary victory, despite backing his primary challenger. Schumer has also not weighed in on Piker\u2019s role in el Sayed\u2019s campaign.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Michigan has become one of the country\u2019s most closely watched Senate races. The state narrowly backed President<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\"> Donald Trump<\/a> in both 2016 and 2024, and the Cook Political Report has rated the 2026 Senate race a \u201ctoss-up.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sanders criticizes Dems&#8217; lukewarm support for Abdul el Sayed<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2652137,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26231673158619.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[32175,3685,81734,84907,32171],"class_list":["post-2652136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-bernie-sanders","tag-democrats","tag-el-sayed","tag-election-enthusiasm","tag-political-commentary"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26231673158619.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2652136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2652136"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2652136\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2652139,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2652136\/revisions\/2652139"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2652137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2652136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2652136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2652136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}