The Consultants Will Kill You

Key Points:

• Polls show Michigan Democrat Dr. Abdul El-Sayed leading his Republican opponent by five points, while Maine Democrat Troy Jackson trails Republican Susan Collins by three points, despite both states being swing states.
• El-Sayed’s campaign gains strength from his economic message and support for single-payer health care, winning broad Democratic support and some Trump voters, contrasting with Jackson’s campaign, which struggles under establishment consultants who have diluted his populist appeal.
• Jackson’s campaign has shifted away from grassroots activism to focus on high-dollar fundraisers and polished advertising, suppressing his authentic voice and progressive stances, particularly on issues like Israel and Gaza, leading to internal tensions and loss of enthusiasm among progressive supporters.
• El-Sayed has maintained a more independent and outspoken campaign, including criticism of U.S. policy in Gaza, despite establishment pressures and endorsements, whereas Jackson appears constrained by his campaign staff and donor influences, risking alienation of his base.
• The divergent trajectories of these campaigns highlight a broader tension within the Democratic Party between insurgent progressive candidates energized by grassroots movements and establishment-backed campaigns prioritizing conventional strategies and donor preferences.