Pennsylvania’s Democratic senator made a surprise video appearance in Dallas on Wednesday night in front of a sea of Republicans at the GOP midterm convention.
In a short video message, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) condemned the rise of socialist politicians in the United States and welcomed his Republican counterpart, Sen. Dave McCormick, as the next speaker for the event.
“Yes, I’m a Democrat. Why am I here talking to you today? Because, well, I’m a common sense Democrat,” he told the crowd. “I’m always going to stand with America. I’m always going to reject the extremes of socialism and that anti-American way of life.”
Fetterman has, for years, distanced himself from socialist policies promoted by people in his own party. His Wednesday appearance stoked further speculation that he may leave the party altogether. Democrats and Republicans are vying for the majority in Congress in the midterm elections on Nov. 3.
If the Democrats wish to achieve that, they will need to flip four seats in the Senate and hope that Fetterman doesn’t vote with Republicans or switch parties before he is up for reelection in 2028.
Fetterman described his close relationship—both professionally and personally—with McCormick, despite their being from opposite parties.
“Dave McCormick is the kind of senator that gets the job done, and he’s going to fight for Pennsylvania,” Fetterman said. “I’m proud to count him as my friend.”
Standing in front of a Pennsylvania steel mill in his video, the Democratic senator reaffirmed his and McCormick’s combined goals in working together, along with President Donald Trump, to boost the steel industry in their state.
“That’s exactly the kind of thing that will work together and will work with President Trump to fight and defend: the steel way of life right here in the Steel Valley,” Fetterman said.
As the notoriously casually dressed senator has distanced himself from his fellow Democrats in Congress, he’s seen a boost in support from Republicans in his state.
In fact, a recent New York Times/Philadelphia Inquirer/Siena University poll found that Fetterman has more support among Pennsylvania Republicans than McCormick does.
The rift between Fetterman and his Democratic colleagues from other states has widened in recent years over his support for Israel. The Pennsylvania senator has maintained a staunch support for the country since the horrific Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas.
He has said he will leave the Democratic party if it ever officially adopts an anti-Israel position.
“If they put that in our platform—no aid for Israel—and officially become the anti-Israel party, then yeah, that’s a red line for me,” Fetterman told NBC News July 16. “Democrats, we always should support Israel. That’s our special ally.”
On July 27, he specifically distanced himself from progressives and socialists in the party’s far-left wing.
“These people aren’t Democrats. That’s not a big tent situation,” he told reporters.
Fetterman has also repeatedly voted with Republicans on major issues such as rejecting a war powers resolution on July 23 and July 30 to end U.S. military operations in Iran. On this topic, he was the only Democrat to join the majority on the other side of the aisle.
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