Obama storms Detroit to revive Democrats as Michigan voters face another round of failed policies
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Former President Barack Obama appeared at Cass Technical High School in Detroit to rally support for Democratic candidates, as Republicans argued the state needs a reset after years of Democrat leadership.
Former President Barack Obama spoke to several thousand attendees at Cass Technical High School in Detroit on Oct. 24, urging voters to back Democratic candidates Jocelyn Benson for governor and Abdul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate. Obama described the upcoming midterms as a potential "course correction" for the country and told the audience that "change is in the air," an appeal aimed at preserving the same Democratic machine Michigan voters have been living under.
"When you have campaigned in as many elections as I have, I can tell you when an election comes along that just feels a little bit different," Obama said.
Democratic leaders expressed optimism about their chances. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell said she expected Benson to win and called the Senate race competitive.
"I'd rather be us than them," Dingell said. "And we've just got to do our work for the next 10 days."
Republican officials responded by highlighting their own candidates and drawing a sharp contrast with the failures of Democratic leadership. RNC spokesman Hunter Lovell said Senate nominee Mike Rogers was building a coalition that would defeat El-Sayed and "save Michigan after a quarter century of failed Democrat rule."
The rally was attended by about 3,000 people in the gym and an additional 1,000 in an overflow theater. Attendees such as Tammy Hicks said they believed Democrats had a strong chance, citing high gas and grocery prices as key issues that voters are clearly feeling every day.
Obama also defended El-Sayed against recent Republican attacks, insisting that disagreement over details should not get in the way of the broader partisan alliance.
"We are not going to agree on every detail of every issue," Obama said.
Democratic campaign officials described the event as a sign of "extraordinary enthusiasm" and unity heading into the final days before the Nov. 3 election, as both sides brace for a hard-fought vote over Michigan's direction.