Democrats melted down after Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) broke ranks and made a surprise video appearance at the historic Republican midterm convention Wednesday night.
Fetterman fueled speculation about his political future as he vowed to work with President Donald Trump on economic issues and warmly introduced his Keystone State colleague, Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA), leaving Democrats to wonder whether they could soon lose a critical vote in their Senate coalition.
“A year ago I labeled John Fetterman ‘Trump’s favorite Democrat.’ Tonight, he yet again proves why,” Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) said.
Few knew about Fetterman’s unity-first endorsement of McCormick, who will almost certainly be a prime target for national Democrats when he’s up for re-election in 2030.
“I’m always going to stand with America,” Fetterman declared in the video. “I’m always going to reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life. Dave McCormick is the kind of senator that gets the job done, and he’s going to fight for Pennsylvania. I’m proud to count him as my friend.”
Former Democratic Rep. Conor Lamb, whom Fetterman defeated in the 2022 Senate primary, told The New York Times the video had “all the persuasiveness of a North Korean newscast.”
In the video, Fetterman stood with the iconic Edgar Thomson Steel Works looming behind him, a fitting backdrop for his pitch to Pennsylvania’s Steel Valley. The Braddock plant has long been the heartbeat of Allegheny County’s steel industry, where raw steel is produced. Fetterman pledged to lock arms with McCormick and work directly with President Trump to protect the region’s legendary manufacturing heritage, The Daily Wire reported.
“Yes, he’s in a different party,” Fetterman stated, “but I’m proud to count him as my great friend.” In response, McCormick thanked Fetterman, saying he was “grateful” for the gesture.
Fetterman’s cameo angered moderate and leftist Democrats alike, including trans-identifying Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE).
“Being a Democratic politician who decides to speak at Trump’s midterm convention is like boarding the Titanic after it hit the iceberg,” McBride wrote on X.
In a follow-up statement, Fetterman vowed to continue caucusing with Democrats — even if his party flips the Senate, where his vote could upend the balance of power. “I’m a lifelong Democrat who votes overwhelmingly with my party — and should the Senate flip in November, I will still be the 51st vote that I ran on,” he insisted.
That commitment, however, didn’t convince Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA).
“He lost me last night with that stunt. He, like me, should be talking about how do we make life more affordable for Americans,” she told C-SPAN.
Since his impressive 2022 election victory, Fetterman has openly expressed his disillusionment with the Democratic Party over its increasing hostility to Israel and embrace of socialism and far-Left candidates. In between, the Pennsylvania Democrat has voted to confirm some of Trump’s cabinet nominees and is a vocal proponent of the war against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
It’s unclear whether Fetterman plans to run again for a second term. Recent polls show he’s more popular with Pennsylvania Republicans than Democrats – a reality Dean echoed when asked about Fetterman’s future.
“I don’t care one way or another. What it’s time for him to do is represent Pennsylvania the way he ran — with the values that he ran on,” she said. “Sadly, the work that he is doing now as Senator doesn’t reflect those same values. It will be up to John whether or not he changes parties.”
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