Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Voltaire2

(14,795 posts)
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:11 PM 11 hrs ago

Fettermen appears to be going maga



‪Philadelphia Inquirer‬ ‪@inquirer.com‬
·
3m
Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa) joined Truth Social, DonaldTrump’s social media platform, and called for a pardon for Trump in his NY hush money case.

“The Trump hush money and Hunter Biden cases were both b-, and pardons are appropriate,” Fetterman wrote.
https://bsky.app/profile/inquirer.com/post/3ld2dt3gors2m

paywall to Philadelphia Inquirer‬ article: https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/john-fetterman-trump-biden-pardons-20241211.html

This is quite disappointing.
71 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Fettermen appears to be going maga (Original Post) Voltaire2 11 hrs ago OP
He's dropped the mask of being a progressive. Time to vote him out next election. brush 11 hrs ago #1
Wait, when did he ever have that mask? AkFemDem 11 hrs ago #8
Yeah, right. Calling for trump charges to be dropped is not what a moderate Dem does. It's what a maga does. brush 11 hrs ago #9
I'm replying to the comment that Fetterman is dropping his progressive mask AkFemDem 11 hrs ago #11
They didn't invent him. His clever social media staffers posts did. They did a bait and switch. brush 11 hrs ago #14
Here's the deal- AkFemDem 10 hrs ago #20
Sorry but I feel choie 9 hrs ago #40
I don't want another Joe Manchin. Prof. Toru Tanaka 7 hrs ago #54
Pro life you say? Let's see how many of those other stances he maintaines... brush 4 hrs ago #69
He claimed the progressive label for himself for many years, and he begged for Sanders' help in 2016: Celerity 10 hrs ago #28
Thanks for all the details Celerity. Brenda 7 hrs ago #55
His 'district' now is the State (or Commonwealth to be precise) of Pennsylvania. No longer the mayor kelly1mm 11 hrs ago #10
Then why did he call himself one? SunImp 10 hrs ago #21
I BeerBarrelPolka 10 hrs ago #22
kompromat is my first suspician on many of these guys rampartd 7 hrs ago #57
Could be BeerBarrelPolka 7 hrs ago #59
"District"? Did you mean "the state of Pennsylvania"? 0rganism 10 hrs ago #30
Will they support him changing parties Bettie 9 hrs ago #35
He sure is hell is berksdem 10 hrs ago #23
Fetterman is a populist. His positions remain consistent. yardwork 9 hrs ago #41
He wants to be reelected. underpants 11 hrs ago #2
By whom? Everyone that voted against him the first time around? tenderfoot 11 hrs ago #6
your 'Hoodie Sinema' from a few days back was more accurate, especially as they are both US Senators Celerity 10 hrs ago #29
so we should support democrats who become fascists? Voltaire2 11 hrs ago #7
lol twas ever thus WhiskeyGrinder 11 hrs ago #3
This one hurts. Dennis Donovan 11 hrs ago #4
Many of us did, but he hasn't been the same since the stroke. As for those who say he never claimed to be a progressive Celerity 10 hrs ago #32
Goes to show that Bettie 9 hrs ago #36
In other words BeerBarrelPolka 9 hrs ago #38
Was the Fedrul hush money case against Cohen BS? maxsolomon 11 hrs ago #5
Good response. W_HAMILTON 11 hrs ago #16
Fettermen, a true DINO. republianmushroom 11 hrs ago #12
huh? How so? His voting record is fine. thebigidea 10 hrs ago #18
His wanting a pardon for trump, for the crimes trump republianmushroom 10 hrs ago #19
BOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Initech 11 hrs ago #13
There will be a lot more of this Prairie Gates 11 hrs ago #15
Unbelievable awesomerwb1 11 hrs ago #17
There were good established guys who ran against him in the primary Trenzalore 10 hrs ago #24
Maybe if there'd been two federal trials he'd feel differently. Kid Berwyn 10 hrs ago #25
Is it really any different than Clyburn or other Democrats calling for the same absurdity? JohnSJ 10 hrs ago #26
No. People on DU just dislike Fetterman. yardwork 8 hrs ago #43
without a doubt. This is almost as predictable as Pavlov's dogs. JohnSJ 8 hrs ago #46
I Voted For Him, RobinA 10 hrs ago #27
Beware of these kinds of Dem politicians Dem4life1234 10 hrs ago #31
I often wondered which Senators would be likely moniss 10 hrs ago #33
Probably not full MAGA but maybe full Manchin. Bleacher Creature 9 hrs ago #34
Surviving politically in a swing state? Zambero 9 hrs ago #37
I haven't seen anyone attacking James Clyburn for going MAGA or being a DINO onenote 9 hrs ago #39
I BeerBarrelPolka 7 hrs ago #53
A worst case scenario is that Fetterman becomes the next Sinema Mike 03 9 hrs ago #42
Power MattBaggins 8 hrs ago #44
Let's hope he loses BeerBarrelPolka 7 hrs ago #56
He ain't goin'. He's just showin'. Iggo 8 hrs ago #45
His actual words: Festivito 8 hrs ago #47
That sounds exactly like several other Democrats' words. yardwork 8 hrs ago #48
No, let's walk away from Fetterman. Just as soon as possible. Paladin 7 hrs ago #50
What are you talking about? yardwork 6 hrs ago #64
Yeah, I'll be sure to take that advice to heart. Paladin 6 hrs ago #65
On 'truth social'. And there is simply no equivalency between the Biden case the the Trump case. Voltaire2 8 hrs ago #49
When the leader of the party- President Biden AkFemDem 6 hrs ago #66
yup Afrocat 7 hrs ago #51
How embarrassing for Dems who praised him only months ago. Brenda 7 hrs ago #52
Imma blaming brain worms. nt yaesu 7 hrs ago #58
Someone please tell this guy that... Think. Again. 7 hrs ago #60
When stuff like this just doesn't make any sense, no_hypocrisy 7 hrs ago #61
It's a state case.... Lovie777 7 hrs ago #62
So he was either a DINO, or the brain injury really screwed him up. sakabatou 7 hrs ago #63
The money started flowing in Thrill 6 hrs ago #67
He's disgusting Rebl2 6 hrs ago #68
As they say: "If you can't beat them, join them" msfiddlestix 4 hrs ago #70
I wish Fetterman was the worst person we had to worry about. RoeVWade 4 hrs ago #71

AkFemDem

(2,189 posts)
8. Wait, when did he ever have that mask?
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:20 PM
11 hrs ago

That was the folk hero status progressives not from the rust belt gave him after he came under attack by republicans post-stroke. That was never John Fetterman's claim! He's not getting voted out, he represents his district exactly as they want him to- blue collar, moderate, and unafraid.

brush

(57,939 posts)
9. Yeah, right. Calling for trump charges to be dropped is not what a moderate Dem does. It's what a maga does.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:24 PM
11 hrs ago

AkFemDem

(2,189 posts)
11. I'm replying to the comment that Fetterman is dropping his progressive mask
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:26 PM
11 hrs ago

There never was a mask. Y'all made it up. Are any of you actually from PA (I am.) Outsiders built him up to be something he never was and are mad at him now for not being the man they invented.

brush

(57,939 posts)
14. They didn't invent him. His clever social media staffers posts did. They did a bait and switch.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:31 PM
11 hrs ago

Sold a right-leaning Dem as a progressive. We'll see if the real him gets reelected.

I think he'll get primaried.

AkFemDem

(2,189 posts)
20. Here's the deal-
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:44 PM
10 hrs ago

He's vehemently pro-life, strong supporter of LGBTQ rights, big Union man, very strong on universal healthcare, affordable education for all, and legalizing cannabis. These are all democrat platforms. He scores an 85 on the progressive scale, which makes him marginally more progressive than Mark Warner, Maggie Hassan, John Tester, etc (the usual "conservative" democrats) Progressivepunch.org who tallies all their votes, gives him a score of A.

He's also a guy who doesn't bend on Israel, thinks the border's fucked up, is strong against crime and pro-LE, and wants tax cuts. Issues many republicans land on. But you know who else likes these issues? Moderate and middle America democrats. You know who really likes these issues? Pennsylvanians.

Is he perfect? No. Did he falsely represent who and what he is? Also no. Will he be reelected? We have no idea, but I wouldn't bet against him.

choie

(4,640 posts)
40. Sorry but I feel
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 03:33 PM
9 hrs ago

advocating for trump to be pardoned is the political death knell for me. How dare he think it’s ok for an insurrectionist and criminal to be pardoned. It’s despicable and he can go fuck himself.

Prof. Toru Tanaka

(2,340 posts)
54. I don't want another Joe Manchin.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 04:52 PM
7 hrs ago

I want another Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders. Along with being true progressives, they have enough respect for Congress and for their position to dress decently. Fetterman better learn how to go full MAGA because his big sloppy ass will getting primaried when his time for re-election comes.

brush

(57,939 posts)
69. Pro life you say? Let's see how many of those other stances he maintaines...
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 08:04 PM
4 hrs ago

Last edited Wed Dec 11, 2024, 08:42 PM - Edit history (1)

cause it sure looks like he's seeking trump''s approval. Can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Look out, he's listing right, right, right. Joining trump's truth social when most Dems are getting off X/twitter and going to Blue Sky?

Nah, keep a side eye on this guy.

Celerity

(46,541 posts)
28. He claimed the progressive label for himself for many years, and he begged for Sanders' help in 2016:
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 02:14 PM
10 hrs ago
A Member of “Bernie’s Army” Is Still Waiting for the Candidate’s Help

John Fetterman is running for Senate in Pennsylvania, one of the most expensive races in the country. He wants to know when the political revolution starts.

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2016/04/john-fettermans-senate-campaign-needs-bernie-sanders-help.html

April 19, 2016

John Fetterman, the populist mayor and long-shot Democratic Senate candidate, was one of the first elected officials in the country to endorse Bernie Sanders for president. He is, like Sanders, a political outsider. A tattooed giant—6-foot-8, more than 300 pounds—he’s spent the past 11 years presiding over Braddock, Pennsylvania, a largely black town outside Pittsburgh that was wrecked by the collapse of the local steel industry. Income inequality is at the center of his campaign. “I think there’s a great deal of overlap” between Sanders’ platform and his own, he tells me, “whether it’s a $15-an-hour living wage or health care, trade deals, a rigged economy.” Ideologically, the only real difference between the two men is that Fetterman is more in favor of gun control. He has the date of every homicide in Braddock since his election—nine in all—inked on his right arm.

In February, the New Republic described Fetterman as part of “Bernie’s army,” a generation of Democratic candidates creating “a progressive revolution from within.” Like Sanders, Fetterman has raised most of the money for his primary online, from small-dollar donors. He’s in a three-way primary race against Joe Sestak, the defeated Democratic Senate candidate in 2010, and Katie McGinty, who has the backing of much of the national Democratic establishment. Fetterman’s criticism of McGinty echoes Sanders’ case against Hillary Clinton. “When she ran less than two years ago, she was for $9 an hour instead of $15,” he says, referring to the minimum wage. “She brought fracking to Pennsylvania, and she also supported NAFTA.” She has a massive financial advantage in what is currently the most expensive Senate race in the country, with more than $17 million already spent.



Given the money and political power stacked against him, Fetterman says he needs Sanders’ help to have any chance next Tuesday, the same day as the Pennsylvania presidential primary. So far, however, it has not been forthcoming. There’s been no endorsement, no fundraising support, no joint appearances. Fetterman’s campaign finds this confounding. On the ground, he says, there’s enormous overlap between his supporters and the Sanders grassroots. (“The crowd at the Fishtown brewpub is young, liberal, urban. They rave about Sanders—and Fetterman,” says a recent Philadelphia Inquirer story.) In a three-way race, he believes, Sanders’ backing could be decisive; Fetterman estimates that he’ll win if he gets 60 or 70 percent of Sanders’ voters.

Right now, that seems unlikely; a poll from early April had him at 9 percent of the vote, with 66 percent saying they haven’t recently seen, read, or heard anything about him, and 63 percent saying they didn’t know what his ideology was. The only ray of hope: When people had heard about him, what they heard made them like him more. Lacking the resources to get on the airwaves, he’s doing as much retail campaigning as he can, including going to Sanders rallies to talk to voters one on one. (The Sanders campaign didn’t respond to a request for comment.) “To me, Pennsylvania represents the perfectly framed battle within the party war of 2016,” Fetterman tells me. “Untold millions in outside money and establishment endorsements versus the will of Sanders’ grassroots supporters who could, quite literally, pick the next nominee in this state. That nominee, badly outspent, represents a decimated steel town on society’s economic fringe.”

snip



















John Fetterman Endorses Bernie Sanders

kelly1mm

(5,354 posts)
10. His 'district' now is the State (or Commonwealth to be precise) of Pennsylvania. No longer the mayor
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:24 PM
11 hrs ago

of a dying inner ring suburb of Pittsburgh.

0rganism

(24,717 posts)
30. "District"? Did you mean "the state of Pennsylvania"?
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 02:21 PM
10 hrs ago

You're probably correct about the "not getting voted out" thing though, he can easily win as a Republican next time.

yardwork

(64,622 posts)
41. Fetterman is a populist. His positions remain consistent.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 03:34 PM
9 hrs ago

Given how the 2024 elections went in PA, Fetterman sees that conservative populism is the blue plate special today. He wants to be able to negotiate with the incoming administration. He's part of the minority party in the senate.

He can go one if two ways: double down on the populism and make nice to Trump and the GOP, which might help him bring home some pork to his state and help him get reelected.

Or he could stand to the side and complain about Trump. That will net him nothing. Fetterman doesn't have the luxury of being from a blue state. He's got to appeal to his voters.

I don't get the complaints about him on DU. He's been very consistent, overall.

Celerity

(46,541 posts)
29. your 'Hoodie Sinema' from a few days back was more accurate, especially as they are both US Senators
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 02:19 PM
10 hrs ago

Bettie

(17,272 posts)
36. Goes to show that
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 03:07 PM
9 hrs ago

people will do anything for power, even pretend to be whatever works at any given moment.

maxsolomon

(35,222 posts)
5. Was the Fedrul hush money case against Cohen BS?
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:16 PM
11 hrs ago

Dude did actual time for it.

There are distinctions between the cases, and Fetterman knows it. Or he should.

Can't see Hochul pardoning MFer, or any NY Gov, ever.

Trenzalore

(2,522 posts)
24. There were good established guys who ran against him in the primary
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:59 PM
10 hrs ago

Unfortunately his marketing was very good.

Regardless I don't see him getting reelected

Kid Berwyn

(18,182 posts)
25. Maybe if there'd been two federal trials he'd feel differently.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 02:01 PM
10 hrs ago

Convcitions for Treason with Violence and Treason with Espionage might help Sen. Fetterman see the problem.

yardwork

(64,622 posts)
43. No. People on DU just dislike Fetterman.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 03:37 PM
8 hrs ago

It's kind of amusing to watch. Most of it stems from his support of Israel, full stop.

RobinA

(10,175 posts)
27. I Voted For Him,
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 02:09 PM
10 hrs ago

never quite believed in the progressive label, because he has a lot of the correct stances on issues. I can handle some of his trips to the right. However, I won't hang around if he continues to make obvious and gratuitous moves that hurt the opposition to Trump. Or that lead me to believe he really doesn't get the Trump danger.

moniss

(6,052 posts)
33. I often wondered which Senators would be likely
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 02:32 PM
10 hrs ago

to flip parties. Zero faith that Fetterman would resist.

Zambero

(9,775 posts)
37. Surviving politically in a swing state?
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 03:09 PM
9 hrs ago

Hoping that this would be Fetterman's motivation, as opposed to altering his political course rightward.

onenote

(44,772 posts)
39. I haven't seen anyone attacking James Clyburn for going MAGA or being a DINO
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 03:12 PM
9 hrs ago

and he also has recommended Biden pardon Trump.

Personally, I would be most unhappy if Biden pardoned Trump and I hope he doesn't consider it no matter who recommends it.

Mike 03

(17,125 posts)
42. A worst case scenario is that Fetterman becomes the next Sinema
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 03:34 PM
9 hrs ago

right after we've finally purged both her and Machin.

MattBaggins

(7,943 posts)
44. Power
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 03:38 PM
8 hrs ago

He wants to get reelected and he has to appeal to the magats in Pennsylvania.

I don't think it will work. He's probably going to lose next time.

Festivito

(13,563 posts)
47. His actual words:
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 04:13 PM
8 hrs ago
John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman

My first truth 👇

The Trump hush money and Hunter Biden cases were both bullshit, and pardons are appropriate.

Weaponizing the judiciary for blatant, partisan gain diminishes the collective faith in our institutions and sows further division.

Paladin

(28,897 posts)
50. No, let's walk away from Fetterman. Just as soon as possible.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 04:46 PM
7 hrs ago

There's no retrieving him, he's only going to get worse. Democrats have overwhelming problems at the moment---we don't need the additional burden of Fetterman's trump-friendly self-destruction.

Paladin

(28,897 posts)
65. Yeah, I'll be sure to take that advice to heart.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 05:57 PM
6 hrs ago

The next 100 times my beloved, flawed, home state of Texas and all of its residents are savaged here at DU, by a bunch of self-satisfied Blue State dwellers.

Guess that covers it; gotta run and MYOB, now.

AkFemDem

(2,189 posts)
66. When the leader of the party- President Biden
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 06:25 PM
6 hrs ago

Is on Truth Social, how can we expect others not to be?

Brenda

(1,342 posts)
52. How embarrassing for Dems who praised him only months ago.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 04:51 PM
7 hrs ago

I never liked the flip-flop hoodie man. Something was always off about his words and ways from the very beginning, so not a stroke thing.

Think. Again.

(18,574 posts)
60. Someone please tell this guy that...
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 05:00 PM
7 hrs ago

...the two cases are not in any way the same "B.S.", Hunter Biden is not a politician.

no_hypocrisy

(49,038 posts)
61. When stuff like this just doesn't make any sense,
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 05:09 PM
7 hrs ago

my default is "Wonder what's in the file that Trump compiled on him . . . . . "

RoeVWade

(264 posts)
71. I wish Fetterman was the worst person we had to worry about.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 08:15 PM
4 hrs ago

That would be a gift with the current upcoming cast of unwelcome characters in the new administration.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Fettermen appears to be g...