According to your political experience, and depending on how hopeful or jaded you are, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa, is either coming to his senses or finally being himself after his stroke or, as others have said, just trying to appear centrist in the Trump surge.
Fetterman’s removal of his academic regalia, including his hood, from his speech at Yeshiva University during his commencement address in May raised eyebrows. The hood was given to him after he earned a Harvard Kennedy School Master of Public Policy degree. He said to the graduates: “I am deeply disappointed in Harvard’s failure to stand up for the Jewish community since Oct. 7.” Personal, I don’t think it’s right that I wear this today. We should support the Jewish community in general. “I promise to always be there for you.”
After the commencement ceremony, he was also seen wearing a bracelet in honor of those who had been butchered during the Supernova Music Festival held in Israel on 7 October. He danced with students and school officials. The school also awarded him the “Hero of Israel Award”.
He posted the following on X in March:
At any point, Hamas could have ended this burgeoning tragedy to surrender and release every hostage.
Now, they’re unwilling to provide a list of any surviving hostages.
Hamas is anathema to peace for Gaza.
Hamas instigated and owns this humanitarian catastrophe. pic.twitter.com/lpVAuYwm42
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) March 3, 2024
Fox News reports that in a CNN appearance on Wednesday with Dana Bash, Fetterman addressed the criticism that he wasn’t the progressive some people thought he was.
I don’t consider myself a progressive. I simply identify as a Democrat. Eight years ago, I used to be a progressive. But the world has changed, and I have been clear that I did not leave this label. This label left me, and I believe it is more important to focus on Donald Trump than these kinds of purity test and issues.
Fetterman replied to Bash’s question about Rep. Pramila Jaapal (D-Wash. ), who said that Biden approached the border crisis in a similar way as Trump.
She is entitled to her opinion. However, it seems that some of the harshest criticisms of the president come from places where people are very comfortable and safe. In Pennsylvania, we all agree that border security is a major issue. I have never considered it unreasonable for a Democrat to wish to secure our border.
Do you think Fetterman is drifting to the right as some people would have us believe? Doubtful. He still supports Biden and has not changed his stance on abortion or other issues. Fetterman, some say, is trying to hedge his bets in light of Trump’s post-conviction surge. It is possible but unlikely, as he has a long time to go before his reelection campaign.
I’m a recovering Democrat and my guess is that Fetterman has experienced what I did. You realize at some point that the party that you once believed in does all the things it accuses their opponents of doing and still manages to look in the mirror each day. Fetterman has about 16 years on me. Maybe at some point he’ll realize that his party can no longer be saved and the damage is irreparable.
