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Big Tent, Small Door: Can Democrats Make Room for Fetterman?
The “Party of Inclusion” struggles to tolerate dissent.
Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has never exactly been one to toe the party line. Known for his blunt style and blue-collar sensibility, he’s often been at odds with Democratic leadership on key issues. Fetterman’s critiques of the Republican Party are just as sharp, making him a rare political figure who defies easy classification.
However, it wasn’t until Sen. Fetterman broke with progressive activist groups over Israel that things began to change for the Senator.
Lately, he has been the target of what seems to be a coordinated smear campaign. It has followed the usual playbook of driving moderate Democrats from the party: Anonymous sources, a media leak campaign, social media pile-ons, rumors, and innuendo.
“An isolated John Fetterman clashes with colleagues and staff as he skips his Senate duties,” dished Allan Smith, Sahil Kapur, Scott Wong, and Frank Thorp V for NBC News on May 9. “Fetterman, who is facing scrutiny after former staffers have raised concerns about his mental health, has missed nearly every committee hearing and regularly skips votes.”
“This article is based on interviews with 18 former Fetterman staffers, Pennsylvania officials and congressional lawmakers…