Have you heard Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) lately? He sounds like a decent Democrat senator — especially compared to his colleagues. Sometimes, when he says things, it’s hard not to like him and to think Democrats actually elected a sane person for a change. Well, I don’t think that’s what’s going on here, and I highly suggest you don’t fall for Fetterman’s charade.
For sure, Fetterman has been getting under the left’s skin lately. He recently sparked “controversy” by expressing hope for President-elect Trump’s success.
"I'm not rooting against him," Fetterman said. "If you're rooting against the president, you are rooting against the nation. And I'm not ever going to be where I want a president to fail. So, country first. I know that's become maybe like a cliche, but it happens to be true."
As my PJ Media colleague Robert Spencer noted, Fetterman's comments unleashed a firestorm among left-wing activists, particularly on their preferred X-alternative platform of the moment, Bluesky. They’re calling him a traitor and accusing him of betraying progressive principles, and even speculating that he’s angling for a cushy gig on Fox News.
Fetterman’s recent rhetoric is certainly a huge breath of fresh air compared to the vile, hateful rhetoric we typically get from elected Democrats, who toss around words like “fascist,” “dictator,” and “Hitler” without batting an eye, and wouldn’t vote to confirm a Trump cabinet member or judicial nominee to save their own grandchild.
Fetterman is even criticizing members of his own party for their rhetoric — including Kamala Harris — and is engaging with Trump’s Cabinet nominees in a way that defies the Democratic Party’s entrenched strategy of blanket opposition. He defended his decision, arguing that it’s his duty as a senator to meet nominees and make informed decisions.
But here’s the question: Why is Fetterman suddenly talking like this?
It’s not as if the election served as some kind of wake-up call for the Pennsylvania senator. In fact, his shift toward more moderate-sounding rhetoric didn’t start until after the election; it’s been noticeable since his return to the Senate following his brief hospitalization in 2023. Yet, despite this shift in tone and the jokes about how some mental health treatment turned him into a moderate, Fetterman's voting record tells a different story. He hasn’t voted like a moderate, no matter how reasonable his words may sound.
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According to Heritage Action for America, Fetterman's lifetime conservative score is a paltry 7%, well below the Democratic average of 11%. His voting record speaks volumes and paints a far different picture than his new rhetoric.
The explanation seems clear: Fetterman recognizes Pennsylvania’s shifting political landscape. The state is trending red, and he’s trying to reposition himself as a moderate-in-name-only because he wants to get reelected in a few years.
This disconnect between Fetterman’s words and actions is why Republicans should approach his apparent centrism with skepticism. It’s easy to talk the talk of bipartisanship, but Fetterman has yet to walk the walk in any meaningful way. His sudden calls for unity and moderation are likely more about political survival than a genuine ideological shift.
The truth will out once Fetterman starts voting on Trump nominees and legislation in the coming term. Is he really going to start voting like a moderate, or will he be just another leftist who pretends to be moderate because his state is turning red?
