Fetterman and the Story of How Democrats Changed

For U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, September may be the cruelest month.

But recall, as we hear this Democratic vitriol and anger, Fetterman votes with Democrats 95% of the time.

He does not vote like any Republican Senator.

These quotes come on the heels of the suspicious exposé in the Wall Street Journal. The report, essentially a hit piece, was to show a man disinterested in his job, lacking the stamina, focus, and maturity to be a U.S. Senator. Countless former staffers, rarely quoted by name, attacked Fetterman. Many are now safely ensconced as lobbyists or well-paid by leftwing special-interest and activist groups.

These alleged staffers see themselves as heroes. Yet again, left-wing activists disregarding tradition and protocol: tearing down their boss, rather than supporting him or her. Having served as a chief-of-staff in Harrisburg and Washington, and seeing elected officials of all ages and both parties over three decades, spoiler alert: elected officials have good days and bad days. Spreading gossip – exaggerating or even accurately sharing moments of weakness – does nothing but feed our worst social-media instincts.

When Fetterman, as a candidate, had a stroke and disappeared from the campaign trail in 2022, recall how passionately his aides repeatedly told us that he was “fine.”  And if anyone dared talk about his mental or physical health or abilities, that person was subject to wrath, being accused of cruelty, bigotry, and “using Fetterman’s tragedy for political gain!”

When newly-elected Fetterman refused interviews, rarely attended Committee hearings, and made very brief and scripted public comments, where was the outrage from the staffers who felt that he was “letting-down” his constituents or was “disinterested” in Senate work?

What changed?

There seems to be five pivotal moments when his allies became his enemies, his protectors became his ferocious detractors. Fetterman’s “sins” against the progressive “church.”

There was October 7, 2023. Fetterman, who saw the hateful, antisemitic murders at Pittsburgh’s “Tree of Life” synagogue in 2018, was moved to tears, and felt duty-bound to reach out and comfort Jewish friends. Then, that October in 2023, he learned about the savage, barbaric, unprovoked attacks on Jewish families, teenagers, women, and babies perpetrated by Islamic terrorists.

He spoke-out against the butchery. And, forcefully, he repeatedly defended Israel’s right to protect itself – and to exist. He spoke out with equal passion against hateful, antisemitic rallies on college campuses and in our cities.

There was no “but.” There was no, “You have to understand…” Fetterman stood firm. That was his first “sin” against today’s Democratic Party.

Regarding our border, when millions illegally were allowed into America, violating immigration rules, with little or no vetting, Fetterman repeatedly called for enforcement.

Fetterman spoke with alarm: the Biden/Harris administration was letting in “a Pittsburgh each and every month.” Sin number two.

Yet, recall, he receives a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood and the AFL-CIO – and still advocates for legalized recreational marijuana.

Then there’s civility, sin number 3. After the 2024 election, he met with many of Trump’s cabinet nominees. Fetterman voted to confirm 10 of 22 key cabinet members – less than half. Notably, four other Democratic Senators voted to confirm 10, two confirmed 9, and four confirmed 8. Fetterman was the only one singled-out for being “too nice” to Republicans.

Recall, Fetterman voted against both the “Big, Beautiful Bill” and the bill to ban men from women’s sports.

His fourth sin against their “church”: condemning Socialism. As he said, “I’m always going to reject the extremes and Socialism and that anti-American way of life.” As recently as a decade ago, Obama angrily denied that he was a Socialist; whereas now, Democrats openly campaign as socialists or defend socialist brethren.

And, last but not least: bipartisanship. He shook Trump’s hand at the State of the Union address. He frequently meets with and works with U.S. Sen. McCormick on job-creation and security – and, yes, introduced McCormick by video message at the GOP convention in Dallas.

He’s for defending Israel, protecting our border, condemning Socialism, and working with Republicans on shared goals. These are things that nearly every single Democrat – proudly – supported up until a decade ago.

Moreover, in the 2022 campaign, Democrats argued that Fetterman was too-far left and wouldn't be able to win, let alone govern. He’d never be able to represent “purple” Pennsylvania. Now, those same people run to his far Left and yell that Fetterman is an “infidel.”

Democrats keep yelling about Fetterman “changing” – probably because they don’t want us to notice how they’re radically changing.

Guy Ciarrocchi writes for RealClear Pennsylvania and Broad+Liberty. Follow Guy @PhilaFreedomGuy