Rhodes Scholar With A Scary Name September 28, 2026 Barack HUSSEIN Obama had a scary name, as Trump liked to emphasize (Trump had evidence “you wouldn’t believe” to prove Obama was born in AFRICA) . . . . . . but Obama rescued an economy in free fall, oversaw low inflation, low interest rates, and low unemployment . . . negotiated Iran’s disposal of 98% of its enriched Uranium and a regime of stringent international inspection . . . supported the kind of global health presence that contained the spread of Ebola . . . led a scandal-free Administration . . . modeled the kind of civil but cool behavior young people could aspire to . . . respected the Constitution . . . remained faithful to his wife . . . and handed power to his thuggish successor with dignity and grace, along with a national debt that was shrinking relative to the economy as a whole. Though it’s true, his middle name was HUSSEIN. Now comes Abdul El-Sayed (wait till you hear his full name), not running to lead the free world, but to be 1% of one-half of one-third of the federal government as the junior senator from Michigan. And this has some people worried. I thus offer today two things: 1. Something very short (this email blast Democratic donors just got) — You’ve probably seen by now that MAGA Republicans like to use my full name in their attacks: Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed. Donald Trump uses it as if it’s a punchline. Andrew, I’ve spent the majority of my career being someone who’s relatively young, relatively brown, and relatively Muslim. Something I’ve learned along the way is that when someone reaches for your name instead of your record, it’s because your record is the thing they can’t touch: I’ve helped make government agencies actually work for Michiganders — first by rebuilding Detroit’s Health Department after bankruptcy, and then restructuring Wayne County’s Department of Health, Human & Veterans Services. As a public servant, I’ve removed lead from elementary schools, taken on Michigan’s biggest polluters, and made life-saving Narcan universally accessible. There’s nothing for MAGA Republicans to attack there — so that’s why they’re resorting to a politics rooted in hatred instead. Meanwhile, their guy, Mike Rogers, has a record he’d rather Michiganders never look at too closely: Mike Rogers voted to raise his own pay in Congress. He championed a bill that helped create the opioid crisis. Then, after spending 15 years in Washington, he left and got $14 million richer working for the corporations he used to regulate and moved to Florida. That’s why Rogers needs $70+ million worth of help to have a chance at beating us in November. 2. Something not short at all, but worth your consideration — his interview with Ezra Klein. Two very smart guys. I will admit to being partial to really smart folks. I think the challenges mankind faces these days cries out for them. You don’t have to be a Rhodes Scholar. But — and here I think of Bill Clinton, Pete Buttigieg, Rachel Maddow, and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed — it doesn’t hurt. NO KINGS! Have you made you plans for October 17? Found friends to go with? If not, it’s a great way to make some new ones.