Democrats Turn on Fetterman After GOP Convention Video
Democrats Turn on Fetterman After GOP Convention Video
The News
Pennsylvania Democrats and the state's biggest newspaper turned on Sen. John Fetterman this week after he appeared by prerecorded video at the Republican National Committee's midterm convention.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is facing a widening revolt inside his own party over a video address he gave to Trump's Republican midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday.
The Philadelphia Inquirer's editorial board called him "still an embarrassment." Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) called the appearance a "stunt" that was "gravely disappointing."
Bloomberg reported that the Texas convention appearance was "a breaking point for some" Pennsylvania Democrats who have watched Fetterman drift from the party that elected him.
What He Did
Fetterman appeared via prerecorded video at the RNC midterm convention, praising Republican Sen. Dave McCormick.
Timeline
Fetterman appears by prerecorded video at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, praising Republican Sen. Dave McCormick.
The Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board publishes a broadside: "News flash: U.S. Sen. John Fetterman is still an embarrassment." The board ties the video to recent reporting on his work habits.
Rep. Madeleine Dean tells reporters at a House Democratic event responding to the GOP convention that the appearance was a "stunt" and that her suburban Philadelphia constituents are "livid."
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith erupts over the video, telling Fetterman, "You look like a damn fool!"
Reactions
Dean did not mince words. "I will tell you from the ground from suburban Philadelphia, my constituents are livid," she told reporters Thursday, per The Hill and abc27.
The Inquirer board wrote that Fetterman "enjoys one of the cushiest jobs in America, but he can't perform basic duties," according to The Hill's account of the editorial.
Stephen A. Smith exploded on air over the appearance, declaring: "You look like a damn fool!"
Not everyone in the party is piling on. Citizen Free Press, a right-leaning outlet, reported that Senate Democrats are refusing to attack Fetterman. RealClearPolitics argued the opposite problem — that "the Democratic Party seems determined to divorce John Fetterman," and that the party needs to figure out how to keep him.
What's Next
The Inquirer board called on Fetterman to either perform his duties effectively or step aside before 2028, when his seat is next up.
Open questions: whether Fetterman seeks reelection as a Democrat, an independent or a Republican — and whether Senate Democratic leadership takes any formal action over the convention video. So far, per Citizen Free Press, Senate Democrats have held their fire.
More
The editorial landed on top of a Wall Street Journal report, built largely on leaked messages from aggrieved former Fetterman staffers, that said the senator routinely blew off constituent meetings and the day-to-day business of the Senate, according to RealClearPolitics' description of the reporting.
The Inquirer board cited a Journal account that Fetterman skipped a meeting with three disabled veterans and then appeared on Fox News. The board said Fetterman has appeared on Fox News roughly 60 times this year, and noted his $174,000 annual Senate salary.
Former staffers told the Journal that Fetterman's focus beyond cultivating conservative media ties and advocating for Israel has been limited.
The Frank reported separately this week that Fetterman says he will still caucus with Democrats.
Poll
Should Fetterman stay in the Democratic Party?
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