John Fetterman’s Defiant Stand No Show at DNC: Navigating the Rift in the Democratic Party

[Social Media]

 

John Fetterman, the towering and unconventional senator from Pennsylvania, is no stranger to controversy or the complexities of his own party. Once hailed as a beacon of Rust Belt revitalization and a progressive champion, Fetterman has recently found himself increasingly at odds with the Democratic Party. His steadfast support for Israel, particularly in the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, has drawn both public protests and internal criticism. Despite the mounting pressure, Fetterman remains unyielding in his stance, emphasizing his commitment to what he perceives as the morally correct path, even if it means alienating himself from the very base that once celebrated him.

 

Fetterman’s decision to skip the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this year has raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about his standing within the party. However, the senator is quick to dismiss any notion that his absence has anything to do with the growing discord over his pro-Israel stance. "I’ve got three young kids, and they’re out of school," Fetterman explained, emphasizing his desire to spend time with his family over the four-day event. He also clarified that the decision to miss the convention was made "well before that debate," referring to the June 27 confrontation between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, which ultimately led to Biden stepping aside and Kamala Harris securing the Democratic nomination.

 

The contrast between Fetterman and Harris could not be starker. Fetterman, a six-foot-eight figure clad in hoodies and shorts, resides in Braddock, a struggling ex-steel town just outside Pittsburgh that has lost 90 percent of its population. Harris, on the other hand, owns a home in the affluent Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles and is often seen donning double-stranded pearls and pantsuits. While Fetterman’s politics are fueled by what seems to be an earnest and almost reckless sense of righteousness, Harris’s beliefs remain less clear, leaving some to question what she truly stands for.

 

On the day of the Hamas attacks, Harris tweeted a message that was as inoffensive as it was unobjectionable: "Doug’s and my prayers are with the victims of the heinous terrorist attacks in Israel. @POTUS and my support for Israel’s security is unwavering." Meanwhile, Fetterman’s response was far more forceful: "I forcefully condemn these cowardly, horrifying, unprovoked attacks on Israel by Hamas. Attacking innocent civilians is particularly despicable and reflects the craven behavior of this terrorist group. I unequivocally stand with the people of Israel now, and always."

 

This disparity in responses highlights the growing chasm within the Democratic Party, particularly when it comes to Israel. While Harris’s statement was designed to offend as few people as possible, Fetterman’s declaration left no room for ambiguity. It is perhaps this stark clarity in his position that has led to his increasing isolation within the party. When asked if he ever feels lonely in his own party, Fetterman responded with uneasy laughter, "Well, I mean, it’s, it’s… I keep saying, just like the convention, it’s not about me."

 

Despite his reassurances, it’s difficult to ignore the shift that has taken place within the Democratic Party—a shift that has left Fetterman, once a symbol of Rust Belt cool and progressive values, out in the cold. In 2022, Fetterman was the darling of the left. He was bald, hulking, and adorned with a goatee and tattoos, projecting a surly demeanor that resonated with voters who felt the Democratic Party had drifted too far from its working-class roots. His support for LGBTQIA+ rights and pro-choice stance further endeared him to the party’s progressive wing. Celebrities like Kerry Washington, Padma Lakshmi, John Legend, and even Oprah Winfrey—who had previously helped launch the television career of Fetterman’s Trump-backed Republican opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz—lined up to endorse him.

 

But the love affair with Fetterman didn’t last. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the most prominent voices of the progressive left, suggested in May that Fetterman is a bully. Former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan lamented on Twitter that "a lot of folks don’t recognize John Fetterman these days." The Patriot-News, based in Harrisburg, published an op-ed titled "I wish I had never voted for you," addressing Fetterman directly.

 

The turning point for Fetterman’s relationship with the progressive wing of the party appears to have been his shift away from identifying as a progressive. In December, the senator tweeted, "I’m not a progressive, I’m just a regular Democrat," signaling a departure from his earlier self-identification as a "progressive champion" during his unsuccessful Senate run in 2016. This shift, coupled with his unwavering support for Israel, has left many progressives feeling betrayed.

 

Since the October 7 attacks, Fetterman has found an unexpected, albeit cautious, warmth from Republicans. "How is it possible that John Fetterman in the last few months has seemingly become more based than half of the Senate GOP???" Donald Trump Jr. tweeted in January. A Republican strategist, speaking on condition of anonymity, confessed, "No clue what this cat is up to."

 

Fetterman’s embrace of border security may have contributed to this newfound, albeit tenuous, appreciation from the right, but his real transgression in the eyes of progressives has been his unflinching support for Israel. The backlash has been swift and unrelenting. In November, protesters outside the Capitol booed him. In January, anti-Israel protesters descended on Fetterman’s home in Braddock, where he defiantly took to the roof, waving an Israeli flag. Online, activists derisively dubbed him "Genocide John." Every Friday for months, protesters have demonstrated outside his Philadelphia office, chanting slogans like "Let Gaza live" and "Cease-fire now." These protests, known as "Fridays at Fetterman’s," have become a regular occurrence.

 

The opposition to Fetterman’s stance isn’t limited to external activists. Even within his own office, there are staff members who disagree with him on Israel and Gaza. "I don’t agree with him," admitted Carrie Adams, Fetterman’s communications director, in a candid phone conversation. Adams suggested that Fetterman’s views are shaped by a less nuanced understanding of the region, influenced by the "might makes right" mentality prevalent during his formative years. In contrast, she noted that her generation and younger ones—who are often the ones protesting—tend to have a more nuanced view of the region.

 

This level of internal dissent is rare in Washington, especially when it comes to criticizing "the principal," as Fetterman is known within his team. It underscores the generational and ideological divide that has opened up within the Democratic Party, particularly on issues related to Israel and Palestine. A January poll revealed that 65 percent of college students held a favorable opinion of the pro-Hamas encampments that took over many university campuses in the spring. This generational divide is not confined to college campuses; it has infiltrated the party’s ranks, threatening to erupt during the convention, where as many as 100,000 protesters are expected.

 

Fetterman is keenly aware of the divide but remains steadfast in his convictions. "I’ve been frustrated by some of my members and how they’ve chosen to handle that situation," Fetterman said, referring to Israel’s war against Hamas. While he did not name specific Democratic members, it is likely he was alluding to the Squad and other members of the Progressive Caucus who have been vocal in their criticism of Israel. "I don’t agree with a lot of their views, but whatever kinds of political choices or any kind of political costs that I’ve incurred throughout all that, I don’t care." He added with conviction, "I haven’t once even regretted any of that."

 

Fetterman’s unconventional style and progressive policies made him a darling of the left, but his recent shift on Israel has caused a rift with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. His decision to distance himself from the progressive label and his unwavering support for Israel have led to accusations of betrayal from some of his former supporters.

 

Despite the criticism, Fetterman remains unapologetic. He argues that his support for Israel is rooted in a commitment to justice and the protection of innocent lives. "There’s a moral imperative to support Israel in its fight against terrorism," Fetterman has said. "Hamas is a terrorist organization that has killed thousands of innocent people. To equate their actions with those of a democratic state like Israel is not only wrong but dangerous."

 

Fetterman’s stance has earned him praise from some quarters, including Republicans who see him as a rare Democratic voice willing to stand up for Israel. However, it has also alienated him from many of his former allies on the left. The protests outside his home and office, as well as the criticism from within his own team, are indicative of the deep divisions that have opened up within the Democratic Party on this issue.

 

He is driven by a deep sense of moral duty, one that often puts him at odds with the very people who once supported him.

In the end, Fetterman’s journey from progressive hero to polarizing figure within his own party underscores the complexities of modern American politics. It is a reminder that even in a time of deep political polarization, there are still those who are willing to stand firm in their beliefs, no matter the cost. Whether Fetterman’s stance will ultimately prove to be politically wise or whether it will cost him the support of his party remains an open question. For now, he seems content to weather the storm, confident in the righteousness of his cause and unafraid of the consequences.

 

Credit: TFP  2024-08-22

 

 

 

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[mdr224]

Democrats who dont bow down to islam and submit to almighty allah deemed traitors by the out of touch left

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

Despite the criticism, Fetterman remains unapologetic. He argues that his support for Israel is rooted in a commitment to justice and the protection of innocent lives.

Only if not Palestinian innocent lives. Thousands of dead children in Gaza- what did they do to get blown up?

[Tug]

17 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Only if not Palestinian innocent lives. Thousands of dead children in Gaza- what did they do to get blown up?

Because the hammas killers use them as human shields as you well know btw 

[Thingamabob]

Just heard unconfirmed reports, described as big news, that Robert Kennedy will join the Trump campaign.

[wombat]

Before Feterman had his NDE

(near death experience)

I described him as the devil incarnate the way he looked and spoke was so evil.

Feterman had his NDE and the epiphany that went with it that turned him 180 degrees into a good guy.

If Feterman and Kennedy get behind Trump ...the swing states along with the silent majority will vote Republican..

Don't forget you read it here first folks

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

Nice to see a Democrat with a backbone.  Too bad it's Harris and not Fetterman running for president. 

[JonnyF]

9 minutes ago, Oliver Holzerfilled said:

Nice to see a Democrat with a backbone.  Too bad it's Harris and not Fetterman running for president. 

 

Indeed. Not only nice, but unusual.

 

It will be interesting to see how they deal with someone in their ranks talking some common sense for once. Uncharted territory for the Dems. I wonder if it could be the start of more serious fractures in the party.  

[RichardColeman]

Never thought I'd say this, but Fetterman appears to have more brain cells left than the puppet president Biden and the laughing hyena VP Harris put together

[blazes]

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

In contrast, she noted that her generation and younger ones—who are often the ones protesting—tend to have a more nuanced view of the region.

 

I hope future Dictionaries of Synonyms will note that in 2023/4 "nuanced" became a new synonym for "anti-semitic."

[blazes]

What a sharp contrast between the honourable ethical stance of Fetterman and the ubiquitous lying that characterises the modern Democrat Party and its supporting chorus in the media (with the exception of Fox which for four years has not hidden the fact that both Biden and Harris were not fit for the offices they held).

 

[placeholder]

I can see why rightwingers are so enamored of Fetterman:

 

Fetterman doubles down on Biden support as calls to withdraw increase: ‘Cut the s—‘

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) defended President Biden Saturday, showing confidence in Biden’s ability to win in November, as calls continue to mount for him to pass the torch following a rocky debate showing against former President Trump last month.

“Democrats, stop worrying about Joe Biden’s legacy and think about yours,” Fetterman wrote on social media platform X. ” Abandon a great president after a rough debate or stand with the only person who ever beat Trump’s [a–] into dust.”

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4770084-john-fetterman-joe-biden-confidence-pennsylvania-2024/

 

 

[John Drake]

Fetterman's a working class Democrat who isn't beholden to the wine moms who are Harris' political base.

[placeholder]

Just now, John Drake said:

Fetterman's a working class Democrat who isn't beholden to the wine moms who are Harris' political base.

Depends on what you mean by a working class Democrat. If you mean he supports programs that help the working class, you're making a good point. But if you mean his background is working class, not so much...

 

" He grew up in an affluent suburb of York, and his parents were conservative Republicans.[11][14]

Fetterman had a self-described privileged upbringing; he said he "sleepwalked" as a young adult while playing four years of football in college, intending eventually to take over ownership of his father's business.[14][15] In 1991, Fetterman graduated from Albright College, also his father's alma mater, with a bachelor's in finance. He also received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Connecticut (UConn) in 1993.[16][17]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fetterman

[KhunLA]

Good for him, choosing family over attending the 'circus' in town, OK, out of town ... 😎

[John Drake]

56 minutes ago, placeholder said:

Depends on what you mean by a working class Democrat. If you mean he supports programs that help the working class, you're making a good point. But if you mean his background is working class, not so much...

 

" He grew up in an affluent suburb of York, and his parents were conservative Republicans.[11][14]

Fetterman had a self-described privileged upbringing; he said he "sleepwalked" as a young adult while playing four years of football in college, intending eventually to take over ownership of his father's business.[14][15] In 1991, Fetterman graduated from Albright College, also his father's alma mater, with a bachelor's in finance. He also received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Connecticut (UConn) in 1993.[16][17]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fetterman

 

And whaddyaknow trying to attack Fetterman the same way the Oz Republicans did. Didn't work then, and it'll not work now.

[placeholder]

9 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

And whaddyaknow trying to attack Fetterman the same way the Oz Republicans did. Didn't work then, and it'll not work now.

Exactly how am I trying to attack Fetterman? I pointed out that the policies he supports are pro-worker. For me that's a good thing. Apparently, for you it's not. I guess you would rather he come from a working class family and oppose policies that are pro worker? And no matter what you'd rather, the fact is, as Fetterman himself acknowledged, he had a privileged childhood. Given that he has no problem acknowledging that, why do you?