(Pa) Fetterman skips forum with Black clergy, drawing criticism

[left-of-center2012]

When Philadelphia Black clergy members held a forum last week with Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate candidates, there was one notable absence: the Democratic front-runner.
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman didn’t attend.

His three main primary opponents did, answering policy questions the night after Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the historic Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Germantown. The event was streamed live by churches in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh as candidates addressed concerns raised by Black leaders, whose communities are a pillar of the Democratic coalition.

Fetterman said he had to preside over the state Senate that day. But to some of the roughly 25 clergy who participated, it was a damaging snub — the kind that two other Democratic groups say they’ve also experienced. The no-show brought into the open simmering questions in Democratic circles about whether Fetterman can handle the intense scrutiny that comes with being his party’s early leader in one of the country’s most crucial Senate races. It also drew criticism of his willingness to listen to Black voters.

Fetterman’s campaign said his responsibilities presiding over the Senate on their first day of the 2022 session “made his attendance literally impossible.” The state constitution has provisions for the Senate President Pro Tempore to lead the chamber when the lieutenant governor is absent, and Fetterman has missed sessions before, though not frequently.

For Black community leaders, his absence from a public forum meant they and their congregants didn’t get to hear directly from Fetterman — or to ask about a 2013 incident in which he held a Black jogger at gunpoint, a moment that has sometimes dogged his campaign.

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2022/01/25/Pennsylvania-John-Fetterman-senate-campaign-skipped-Black-clergy-forum-democrats-criticism/stories/202201250102

[llashram]

1. true colors showing?

again...

[SheilaAnn]

2. I think this snub may be his finish..n/t

[left-of-center2012]

3. "His three main primary opponents did (show up)"

I imagine that means Fetterman's main opponent, Representative Conor Lamb.

[Deminpenn]

4. Fetterman and his family literally live in Braddock

(he's also the former mayor) full time, not in the official residence of the LtGov in Harrisburg. If that doesn't show commitment to lifting up a depressed community with a significant minority population, not sure what he could've said in a forum that would be more impressive. Fetterman is walking is the walk, not talking the talk.

[left-of-center2012]

5. Nice try

Political forums are a part of running for office. This one was held by black ministers, an important part of the Democratic party and a big part of getting out the vote.

From the linked article:
"For Black community leaders, Fetterman's absence from a public forum meant they didn’t get to ask about a 2013 incident in which he held a Black jogger at gunpoint."

Fetterman didn't show up; his three opponents did.

I'm guessing U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb did quite well with the forum attendees.
At least he showed up to answer any questions.

[Deminpenn]

6. Also from the article

Fetterman was also required to preside over the Senate that day.

The point is, the Black clergy want a candidate that supports the needs of their community. Would they rather have answers at forum or have a person who demonstrates a commitment through their personal actions and life choices? I know which I'd chose because talk, as we all know, is cheap.

[left-of-center2012]

7. Also from the article

"The state constitution has provisions for the Senate President Pro Tempore to lead the chamber when the lieutenant governor is absent,
and Mr. Fetterman has missed sessions before"

[left-of-center2012]

8. "required" ? No

Doesn't say he was "required".

Says:
“The state constitution has provisions for the Senate President Pro Tempore to lead the chamber when the lieutenant governor is absent,
and Mr. Fetterman has missed sessions before”

--skip--

Rev. Waller, the Enon Tabernacle pastor, said “The ones that wanted to be there were there,” he said. “My father used to tell me 80 percent of ‘can’t do’ is ‘don’t want to.’”

--skip--

Mr. Fetterman’s campaign also canceled on a December forum organized by the group Indivisible Narberth and Beyond, which said his campaign hasn’t responded to requests to reschedule. “We’ve reached out several times and it does not appear he’s available,” said Stacey Vernallis, a co-lead of Progress PA.

--skip--

Rev. Mark Tyler of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church said he personally appealed to Mr. Fetterman’s campaign to reconsider attending the clergy event, adding that the 2013 incident was something several people wanted to hear about.
“You can’t win Pennsylvania as a Democrat without significant turnout from Black people in Pennsylvania,”

moving on ...