(WHTM) — Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) was one of just two Democrats to break ranks and vote for the Republican-backed funding measure to keep the government open.
But the budget isn’t the only song in the Democratic hymnal that Fetterman isn’t singing. He shows unwavering support for Israel and, for many Democrats, too much support of President Donald Trump’s policies.
“I really believe in calling balls and strikes, and I think I want to follow the truths,” Fetterman said at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday night during NewsNation’s live town hall. “Those are some independent thoughts but overall, I mean, you have to pick one side — Republican, Democrat — that’s always been my party.”
But is it still his party? J.J. Abbott, a Democratic consultant and former spokesman for Gov. Tom Wolf, said there have been public incidents of Fetterman dismissing his constituents who try to talk to him about issues.
“I don’t know that it’s buyer’s remorse as much as, like, feeling as though they were betrayed,” Abbott said.
Pittsburgh-based Democratic analyst Mike Mikus is even stronger, arguing Fetterman ran and got elected as a progressive but hasn’t governed as one.
“I’ve always known John Fetterman is a phony, now he’s showing everybody else,” Mikus said.
Fetterman criticizes fellow Democrats over shutdown: ‘I follow country, then party’
Fetterman called the bad taste in his supporters’ mouths “really strange.”
“Run the numbers,” Fetterman said. “I vote, I think, 90% plus Democrat.”