Fetterman praised Trump at the GOP midterm convention.
John Fetterman sparked intense controversy by making a surprise video appearance at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas. Labeling himself a “commonsense Democrat,” he used the platform to reject political extremism and socialism.
What’s Ahead for Senator Fetterman?
The Washington Post discusses John Fetterman’s Murky Senate Path to 2028
Last week, the Wall Street Journal unveiled an unflattering portrait of Sen. John Fetterman, contending that behind closed doors, the Pennsylvania Democrat shows “little interest in doing the job” of being a senator.
The article described Fetterman blowing off a meeting with three paralyzed military veterans in wheelchairs to discuss legislation that would improve their care, saying he felt unwell, and then turning up in his office, with no sign of illness, saying he didn’t want to miss doing an interview with Fox News. The Journal article said its reporting included interviews with more than a dozen former staffers.
But Fetterman shunning his duties isn’t why 63 percent of Pennsylvania Democrats now view him unfavorably. The explanation almost certainly lies in his outspoken defense of Israel — according to Gallup in February, Democrats sympathize more with Palestinians than Israelis by a margin of 65 percent to 17 percent.
Fetterman’s votes for some of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet appointees, and his appearances on Fox News expressing support for “a secure border,” would also alienate Pennsylvania Democrats — and endear him to Republicans in the state, where 73 percent of GOP voters view him favorably. In July, former Democratic strategist Ed Kilgore, writing for New York magazine, called Fetterman “every Republican’s favorite Democrat.”
For much of the past year, Washington has buzzed about the possibility that Fetterman would switch parties. In May, he wrote an op-ed for The Post rebutting the speculation.
And, indeed, the party-switching idea doesn’t make much sense, as long as Fetterman keeps voting with the Democratic position 78 percent of the time. The inversion of the usual partisan perceptions of Fetterman are a depressing demonstration that voters don’t pay much attention to a senator’s overall voting record; if you’re a pro-Israel senator who appears on Fox News a lot, that’s enough make many Democrats conclude you might as well be with the other guys. And if you “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” — that’s really the name of the podcast — Republicans will shrug off your voting against their position roughly four out of every five times.
Fetterman’s advocacy for Israel, when his party’s default stance is antipathy for the Jewish state, requires considerable courage. But that isn’t the only job of a U.S. senator. If he wants to seek reelection, regardless of which path he chooses, Fetterman at the very least is going to have to start showing up for meetings with a lot more constituents.
Why Switch?
A friend thinks Fetterman will switch parties if a switch would allow Republicans to hold the Senate.
While possible, it’s quite far-fetched. His voting record is 78 percent Democrat.
Fetterman explained in how WAPO Op-Ed John Fetterman: I haven’t changed. Here’s what has.
Numerous protesters have followed me around D.C. or shown up at my Braddock home to tell me I’m a traitor simply for voting my conscience, unapologetically standing with Israel and the global Jewish community, keeping our government open and our workers paid, securing our border — stances that were not unusual. My values have not changed, and I have always turned to those kinds of ideals that defined being a Democrat. I remain strongly pro-choice, pro-weed, pro-LGBT, pro-SNAP, pro-labor and even pro-rib-eye over bio slop.
Being an independent voice that works with the other side to deliver for Pennsylvanians might put me at odds with the party that I have stayed committed to and have no plans to leave — but I will continue to put the commonwealth and the country first.
Plus, I’d be a terrible Republican who still votes overwhelmingly with Democrats.
Post Convention Update – Fetterman Will Still Caucus with Democrats
After the convention Fetterman repeated his message.
The Hill reports Fetterman says he’ll still caucus with Democrats after video appearance at GOP midterm convention
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) confirmed Wednesday night he still plans to caucus with the Democratic Party despite making a video appearance during the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention.
“My remarks introduced Dave McCormick as a great American and friend. We are in different parties, but we are both Team PA,” Fetterman said in a statement released after his prerecorded remarks aired. “We have delivered hundreds of millions of dollars back to Pennsylvania, fought for improved transportation and affordable housing, and the Steel Way of Life.”
He continued, “I’m a lifelong Democrat who votes overwhelmingly with my party—and should the Senate flip in November, I will still be the 51st vote that I ran on.”
Amusing Irony
Republicans have this strange love of someone who only votes with them 22 percent of the time.
Yet, Trump drove out Senator John Cornyn (TX), Senator Thom Tillis (NC), and Senator Joni Ernst (IA) who voted with Republicans over 90 percent of the time because that was not good enough.
Cornyn was primaried out with Trump’s support, while Tillis and Ernst resigned because they had enough of Trump.
The moment Fetterman switched he would be hero for a day (possibly until the first time he crossed Trump). After that, he would be miserable for two more years, despised by Democrats and Republicans alike.
Fetterman has much more power as a swing vote. Indeed, the ideal setup for him in terms of getting concessions is precisely a 51-49 Democrat setup where a flip would give Vance the tie-breaking vote.
Looking ahead, it’s more likely Fetterman drops out because he is toast. He is now unelectable by either party.
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Addendum – What’s Fetterman Up To?
Rebuttals
This guy’s been a nutball since he had a stroke and started dressing like a homeless bum. Makes perfect sense he’s now hanging with other homeless bums.
Here’s an idea: Recall votes for senators so people can hold them accountable when they stroke out and go rogue. Can you imagine how much more on the ball senators would have to be facing the potential for consequences more than once every six years?
Yes, game theory gives a swing vote more power, in a roughly even-balanced situation. He can play both ends against the middle.
But we can ask, in a more focused way, Lenin’s question: who [specifically] benefits?
What’s stranger than Republicans’ love of Fetterman is Fetterman’s love of – no, loyalty to – Israel. He’s become a one issue guy, and it’s a weird issue for an American politician to be obsessed with.
If he stays a Dem, he’ll be successfully primaried.
He might win the GOP primary. Maybe not, but it’s his only chance.
He’ll be fine in a PA general election.
His best move if he wants to stay in the Senate is to stay a Dem until 2028 ( Trump’s last year), then switch parties when he won’t pay a high price for failing to kneel to Trump
Unacceptable to either party is not a bad place to be politically.
While Fetterman is hardly a populist, he is filling that role with his honesty and surprising intelligence.
I don’t think it’s anything more than the fact that Fetterman seems to be less dogmatic in his approach (he doesn’t reject ideas simply because of the mouth that utters them).
There are far too many people that reject sound policy simply because it was proposed by a member of the other party.
I get that but Republicans have no tolerance for disagreement with Trump even 5% of the time
It has more to do with the fact that Fetterman is willing to LISTEN.
Someone once said that baby blood is thicker than water. Not sure it applies here, but…