AIPAC Deploys Obama Ads to Save Flailing Establishment

Hosts at Breaking Points examine deceptive campaign tactics being deployed in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary between establishment favorite Haley Stevens and progressive challenger Abdul Elsad. The episode reveals how super PACs, including those backed by AIPAC, are flooding the race with tens of millions of dollars in advertising that uses old Obama quotes about Stevens' work on the 2010 auto bailout to falsely suggest he has endorsed her candidacy, when he has made no such endorsement. Michigan voters interviewed by reporters say they are voting for Stevens specifically because they believe Obama backs her, even though they ideologically align with Elsad. The hosts discuss how Senator Gary Peters broke his pledge to remain neutral in the primary after Elsad pulled even in polls, and how one super PAC was forced to issue a cease and desist after illegally using the UAW logo despite the union endorsing Elsad. The episode frames the race as a proxy battle between Obama's implicit backing and Bernie Sanders' explicit endorsement of Elsad, with both politicians remaining highly popular nationally. The hosts criticize Obama's enduring popularity among Democrats despite what they view as his failed presidency that directly led to Trump's election, comparing it to Republican nostalgia for Reagan. They debate whether these misleading tactics will succeed with the older median primary voter who remains most receptive to Obama's brand, while noting similar establishment tactics recently failed in Daria Lisa's New York City race.

• Super PACs backing Haley Stevens are using old Obama quotes to falsely imply he endorsed her in Michigan's Senate primary against Abdul Elsad when he has not endorsed anyone.
• Tens of millions of dollars from AIPAC-aligned and corporate super PACs are flooding the Michigan Democratic primary race to support establishment candidate Stevens.
• Michigan Senator Gary Peters broke his neutrality pledge to endorse Stevens after progressive challenger Elsad pulled even in polling.
• Michigan voters report planning to vote for Stevens based solely on belief Obama endorsed her, despite ideologically aligning with opponent Elsad.
• The UAW issued cease and desist to super PAC for using union logo in Stevens ads despite UAW endorsing Elsad.
• The race represents proxy battle between Obama's implicit backing of Stevens versus Bernie Sanders' explicit endorsement of progressive Elsad.
• Hosts criticize Obama's enduring Democratic popularity despite viewing his presidency as failure that led directly to Trump's election.