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Voltaire2

(14,999 posts)
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:11 PM Dec 11

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.
74 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Fettermen appears to be going maga (Original Post) Voltaire2 Dec 11 OP
He's dropped the mask of being a progressive. Time to vote him out next election. brush Dec 11 #1
Wait, when did he ever have that mask? AkFemDem Dec 11 #8
Yeah, right. Calling for trump charges to be dropped is not what a moderate Dem does. It's what a maga does. brush Dec 11 #9
I'm replying to the comment that Fetterman is dropping his progressive mask AkFemDem Dec 11 #11
They didn't invent him. His clever social media staffers posts did. They did a bait and switch. brush Dec 11 #14
Here's the deal- AkFemDem Dec 11 #20
Sorry but I feel choie Dec 11 #40
I don't want another Joe Manchin. Prof. Toru Tanaka Dec 11 #54
Pro life you say? Let's see how many of those other stances he maintaines... brush Dec 11 #69
Good catch, 100% brain fart on my part! AkFemDem Dec 12 #73
Don't mention it. I knew you'd want to edit that. brush Dec 12 #74
He claimed the progressive label for himself for many years, and he begged for Sanders' help in 2016: Celerity Dec 11 #28
Thanks for all the details Celerity. Brenda Dec 11 #55
His 'district' now is the State (or Commonwealth to be precise) of Pennsylvania. No longer the mayor kelly1mm Dec 11 #10
Then why did he call himself one? SunImp Dec 11 #21
I BeerBarrelPolka Dec 11 #22
kompromat is my first suspician on many of these guys rampartd Dec 11 #57
Could be BeerBarrelPolka Dec 11 #59
"District"? Did you mean "the state of Pennsylvania"? 0rganism Dec 11 #30
Will they support him changing parties Bettie Dec 11 #35
He sure is hell is berksdem Dec 11 #23
Fetterman is a populist. His positions remain consistent. yardwork Dec 11 #41
He wants to be reelected. underpants Dec 11 #2
By whom? Everyone that voted against him the first time around? tenderfoot Dec 11 #6
your 'Hoodie Sinema' from a few days back was more accurate, especially as they are both US Senators Celerity Dec 11 #29
so we should support democrats who become fascists? Voltaire2 Dec 11 #7
lol twas ever thus WhiskeyGrinder Dec 11 #3
This one hurts. Dennis Donovan Dec 11 #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 Dec 11 #32
Goes to show that Bettie Dec 11 #36
In other words BeerBarrelPolka Dec 11 #38
Was the Fedrul hush money case against Cohen BS? maxsolomon Dec 11 #5
Good response. W_HAMILTON Dec 11 #16
Fettermen, a true DINO. republianmushroom Dec 11 #12
huh? How so? His voting record is fine. thebigidea Dec 11 #18
His wanting a pardon for trump, for the crimes trump republianmushroom Dec 11 #19
BOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Initech Dec 11 #13
There will be a lot more of this Prairie Gates Dec 11 #15
Unbelievable awesomerwb1 Dec 11 #17
There were good established guys who ran against him in the primary Trenzalore Dec 11 #24
Maybe if there'd been two federal trials he'd feel differently. Kid Berwyn Dec 11 #25
Is it really any different than Clyburn or other Democrats calling for the same absurdity? JohnSJ Dec 11 #26
No. People on DU just dislike Fetterman. yardwork Dec 11 #43
without a doubt. This is almost as predictable as Pavlov's dogs. JohnSJ Dec 11 #46
I Voted For Him, RobinA Dec 11 #27
Beware of these kinds of Dem politicians Dem4life1234 Dec 11 #31
I often wondered which Senators would be likely moniss Dec 11 #33
Probably not full MAGA but maybe full Manchin. Bleacher Creature Dec 11 #34
Surviving politically in a swing state? Zambero Dec 11 #37
I haven't seen anyone attacking James Clyburn for going MAGA or being a DINO onenote Dec 11 #39
I BeerBarrelPolka Dec 11 #53
A worst case scenario is that Fetterman becomes the next Sinema Mike 03 Dec 11 #42
Power MattBaggins Dec 11 #44
Let's hope he loses BeerBarrelPolka Dec 11 #56
He ain't goin'. He's just showin'. Iggo Dec 11 #45
His actual words: Festivito Dec 11 #47
That sounds exactly like several other Democrats' words. yardwork Dec 11 #48
No, let's walk away from Fetterman. Just as soon as possible. Paladin Dec 11 #50
What are you talking about? yardwork Dec 11 #64
Yeah, I'll be sure to take that advice to heart. Paladin Dec 11 #65
On 'truth social'. And there is simply no equivalency between the Biden case the the Trump case. Voltaire2 Dec 11 #49
When the leader of the party- President Biden AkFemDem Dec 11 #66
yup Afrocat Dec 11 #51
How embarrassing for Dems who praised him only months ago. Brenda Dec 11 #52
Imma blaming brain worms. nt yaesu Dec 11 #58
Someone please tell this guy that... Think. Again. Dec 11 #60
When stuff like this just doesn't make any sense, no_hypocrisy Dec 11 #61
It's a state case.... Lovie777 Dec 11 #62
So he was either a DINO, or the brain injury really screwed him up. sakabatou Dec 11 #63
The money started flowing in Thrill Dec 11 #67
He's disgusting Rebl2 Dec 11 #68
As they say: "If you can't beat them, join them" msfiddlestix Dec 11 #70
I wish Fetterman was the worst person we had to worry about. RoeVWade Dec 11 #71
the day he showed up in a hoodie Henry203 Dec 12 #72

AkFemDem

(2,212 posts)
8. Wait, when did he ever have that mask?
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:20 PM
Dec 11

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

(58,287 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
Dec 11

AkFemDem

(2,212 posts)
11. I'm replying to the comment that Fetterman is dropping his progressive mask
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:26 PM
Dec 11

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

(58,287 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
Dec 11

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

I think he'll get primaried.

AkFemDem

(2,212 posts)
20. Here's the deal-
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:44 PM
Dec 11

Last edited Thu Dec 12, 2024, 11:49 AM - Edit history (1)

He's vehemently pro-choice, 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

(4,759 posts)
40. Sorry but I feel
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 03:33 PM
Dec 11

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

(2,379 posts)
54. I don't want another Joe Manchin.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 04:52 PM
Dec 11

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

(58,287 posts)
69. Pro life you say? Let's see how many of those other stances he maintaines...
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 08:04 PM
Dec 11

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.

AkFemDem

(2,212 posts)
73. Good catch, 100% brain fart on my part!
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 11:48 AM
Dec 12

Pro-CHOICE!! Ha, Im shocked you're the only one to notice that!!

Celerity

(47,141 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
Dec 11
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

(5,446 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
Dec 11

of a dying inner ring suburb of Pittsburgh.

BeerBarrelPolka

(1,439 posts)
22. I
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:58 PM
Dec 11

I would say he's deathly afraid of trump. He is a 100%, bonafide, dyed in the wool, coward.

0rganism

(24,792 posts)
30. "District"? Did you mean "the state of Pennsylvania"?
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 02:21 PM
Dec 11

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

yardwork

(64,935 posts)
41. Fetterman is a populist. His positions remain consistent.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 03:34 PM
Dec 11

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

(47,141 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
Dec 11

Voltaire2

(14,999 posts)
7. so we should support democrats who become fascists?
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:17 PM
Dec 11

I'm just trying to understand your point.

Celerity

(47,141 posts)
32. 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
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 02:24 PM
Dec 11

Bettie

(17,473 posts)
36. Goes to show that
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 03:07 PM
Dec 11

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

maxsolomon

(35,443 posts)
5. Was the Fedrul hush money case against Cohen BS?
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:16 PM
Dec 11

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

(2,575 posts)
24. There were good established guys who ran against him in the primary
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:59 PM
Dec 11

Unfortunately his marketing was very good.

Regardless I don't see him getting reelected

Kid Berwyn

(18,592 posts)
25. Maybe if there'd been two federal trials he'd feel differently.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 02:01 PM
Dec 11

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

JohnSJ

(96,906 posts)
26. Is it really any different than Clyburn or other Democrats calling for the same absurdity?
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 02:08 PM
Dec 11

yardwork

(64,935 posts)
43. No. People on DU just dislike Fetterman.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 03:37 PM
Dec 11

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

RobinA

(10,212 posts)
27. I Voted For Him,
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 02:09 PM
Dec 11

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

(6,252 posts)
33. I often wondered which Senators would be likely
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 02:32 PM
Dec 11

to flip parties. Zero faith that Fetterman would resist.

Zambero

(9,787 posts)
37. Surviving politically in a swing state?
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 03:09 PM
Dec 11

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

onenote

(44,862 posts)
39. I haven't seen anyone attacking James Clyburn for going MAGA or being a DINO
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 03:12 PM
Dec 11

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

(17,630 posts)
42. A worst case scenario is that Fetterman becomes the next Sinema
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 03:34 PM
Dec 11

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

MattBaggins

(7,944 posts)
44. Power
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 03:38 PM
Dec 11

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

(13,624 posts)
47. His actual words:
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 04:13 PM
Dec 11
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

(29,071 posts)
50. No, let's walk away from Fetterman. Just as soon as possible.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 04:46 PM
Dec 11

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.

yardwork

(64,935 posts)
64. What are you talking about?
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 05:43 PM
Dec 11

If you're in PA, vote against him in a primary. Otherwise, MYOB.

Paladin

(29,071 posts)
65. Yeah, I'll be sure to take that advice to heart.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 05:57 PM
Dec 11

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.

Voltaire2

(14,999 posts)
49. On 'truth social'. And there is simply no equivalency between the Biden case the the Trump case.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 04:34 PM
Dec 11

AkFemDem

(2,212 posts)
66. When the leader of the party- President Biden
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 06:25 PM
Dec 11

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

Brenda

(1,359 posts)
52. How embarrassing for Dems who praised him only months ago.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 04:51 PM
Dec 11

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.

(19,729 posts)
60. Someone please tell this guy that...
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 05:00 PM
Dec 11

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

no_hypocrisy

(49,448 posts)
61. When stuff like this just doesn't make any sense,
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 05:09 PM
Dec 11

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

RoeVWade

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

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

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