Senator Fetterman Shifts Red

Senator John Fetterman (PA) made a surprise appearance in a video at the GOP’s midterm convention to introduce Senator Dave McCormick (PA). Fetterman, currently a Democrat, also promised to “work with President Trump” to increase steel production in Pennsylvania.

As reported by Fox News:

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., delivered a surprise video message at the GOP midterm convention Wednesday night, praising President Donald Trump and Republican Sen. Dave McCormick while rejecting what he described as the Democratic Party’s “extremes and socialism.”

“"I’m a commonsense Democrat. I’m always going to stand with America,” Fetterman said. “I’m always going to reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life.”

Fetterman introduced McCormick, who is seeking re-election to the Senate, as “the kind of senator that gets the job done” and someone who will “fight for Pennsylvania.”

While Sen. Fetterman made it clear that he’s still a Democrat, for now, he also made something else very clear: He doesn’t believe his party must embrace the far-Left politics that have become increasingly prominent.

Fetterman declared himself a “commonsense Democrat” who would “always . . . stand with America” and “reject the extremes and socialism.” 

Does that mean John Fetterman is officially jumping ship and switching party lines? Not at all. He has said he plans to remain a lifelong Leftist and still continues to vote with his party overwhelmingly. But he’s not afraid to stand his ground when he feels something isn’t right, even if he has to do it in spite of his own party.

That’s also what made this moment so interesting. This was a Republican convention designed to rally voters ahead of the midterm elections. To say a prominent far-Left Senator would appear on that stage, even via video, and introduce a conservative colleague was unexpected.

Special Presidential Envoy Ric Grenell joined us on the broadcast, and I asked for his take on Sen. Fetterman’s surprise appearance and the flak he is taking from his party as a result.

Ric reminded everyone that this is how commonsense politicians used to behave, saying:

Look, we’ve seen conventions in the past where former Democrats or former Republicans come back and talk about common sense, and they cross the aisle, and it’s usually like a big moment for the person. It’s kind of an ego boost. I’m thinking of Adam Kinzinger, who leaves the Republican Party and then bashes the Republican Party.

But look, I think this was different last night. Fetterman, who is a sitting Senator, decided to come out and say, Look, my Republican colleague, he’s a great guy, and I want to just give him credit for being full of common sense. I thought it was an amazing moment. It’s a brave moment for Fetterman. He’s smart enough to know he’s going to get hit by a lot of the Democrat media establishment, and that’s exactly what they’ve been doing. He doesn’t really care, to be honest. He’s really pushing common sense, and we’ve seen him vote for common sense over the last couple of weeks. It’s been great to see.

Fetterman’s appearance certainly doesn’t erase the partisan divide, but it does show that the lines aren’t always as divided as the mainstream media, or Washington itself in many cases, would have us believe.

Sometimes, common sense means being willing to cross the aisle, even when the people on your side aren’t particularly happy about it.

Today’s Sekulow broadcast included more discussion of Senator Fetterman’s message of commonsense unity and how his party has reacted. We were also joined by ACLJ Senior Counsel for Global Affairs Mike Pompeo to discuss Russia and whether President Vladimir Putin is testing the West.

Watch the full broadcast below: