Detroit, Mich. — Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed walked back past criticism of former President Barack Obama in a Meet the Press interview, weeks before the two are set to campaign together in Detroit.
Pressed about 2012 comments that Obama perpetuated war and violated civil liberties, El-Sayed said Obama was handed a difficult set of circumstances and did his best. He compared past disagreements to tensions families work through across generations.
Obama is scheduled to headline a rally with El-Sayed on Oct. 24 in Detroit alongside Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s secretary of state and the Democratic nominee for governor.
El-Sayed, a Democrat, faces former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers in the November Senate race. He also renewed an apology for a March remark after a Michigan synagogue attack that drew criticism from some Jewish residents, including Attorney General Dana Nessel.
El-Sayed said he regrets stepping on anyone’s grief and wished he had thought twice before making those comments.
