Veteran newsman Geraldo Rivera ignited a debate on CNN Thursday night by advising Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed to campaign with "indisputably white people." Rivera’s suggestion came as he discussed concerns that El-Sayed, who could become the first Muslim senator, might be perceived as too radical by some Michigan voters.
Rivera stated on “Newsnight” that some voters in Michigan might be thinking, "this is a radical Muslim person, and it’s scaring the hell out of Jewish people and others in Michigan." To counter this, he proposed that El-Sayed should "embrace the mainstream of the Democratic Party and surround yourself with all of these American, indisputably white people."
His comments drew immediate pushback from fellow panelists, including host Abby Phillip and strategist Ashley Allison. When Phillip asked Rivera to clarify, he invoked progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, questioning if voters in Northern Michigan would view Ocasio-Cortez and then be more likely to support El-Sayed. Phillip pressed him, asking if he meant El-Sayed should campaign more with white people than with Ocasio-Cortez, to which Rivera responded, "If you want to be blunt as that."
Allison interjected that Ocasio-Cortez is American, and Rivera added that he is a "proud Puerto Rican American." Charles Blow, another panelist, called Rivera's remarks "so offensive."
Blow countered Rivera's argument by noting that at an El-Sayed rally he attended, the majority of attendees were white, and El-Sayed did not engage in identity politics. Blow questioned why that demographic presence wasn't sufficient for Rivera.
El-Sayed is currently leading Republican opponent Mike Rogers 48.1% to 45.5% in polls, according to Real Clear Politics. However, the election is still weeks away, and reports indicate the Republican party is focusing on portraying El-Sayed as "dangerously radical."