Abdul El-Sayed says he was ‘younger’ and ‘angry’ as he revisits Obama criticism

Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed says his past criticism of former President Barack Obama reflected the frustration he felt as a younger man.

In an Oct. 11 interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker,” El-Sayed was asked whether he still considered Obama’s presidency a failure. The interview comes ahead of a planned Oct. 24 campaign appearance in Detroit with Obama, bringing renewed attention to El-Sayed’s earlier criticism of the former president.

In a 2012 opinion piece, El-Sayed criticized Obama’s record on war, civil liberties and deportations, concluding that “the list of his failures goes on.” Asked whether he still viewed the presidency that way, El-Sayed acknowledged that Obama had faced difficult circumstances and said he had done his best.

Abdul El-Sayed compared his relationship with Barack Obama to his relationship with his father, explaining that gratitude and admiration can exist alongside disagreement. “I also want to step back,” he told Welker, before describing how his father had shaped his life while acknowledging that there were things he would do differently.

He said Obama’s presidency was the first time he had seen himself represented in politics and credited the former president with expanding his sense of what was possible. El-Sayed said the person who wrote his earlier opinion pieces was younger and angry about the circumstances of the time. Fourteen years later, he said, he better understood how difficult political change can be. “You grow up, and you start to appreciate just how hard change is and how important it is to pick up and push,” he said.

He added that his approach may differ from Obama’s on some issues, but that those differences reflect lessons learned from the former president’s record. The exchange follows criticism of Abdul El-Sayed’s planned joint appearance with Obama. Former Obama adviser Ben Rhodes defended the relationship, arguing that progressive politics often involves being inspired by leaders while wanting them to go further.

The interview also covered El-Sayed’s policy priorities. He outlined a Medicare-for-all proposal that would guarantee health coverage without premiums, copayments or deductibles, while allowing people to retain private insurance if they choose. On affordability, he said lowering the cost of essentials such as groceries and gasoline should be a priority.

He also discussed accountability for presidents, religious pluralism, and his regret over a previous “hurt people hurt people” remark following an attack on a Michigan synagogue. El-Sayed said he regretted making comments that could have added to people’s grief and reaffirmed his commitment to the safety of Jewish communities and people of all faiths.