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[SPECIAL JANUARY PROMOTION: Spend $50+ In The FPM Store And Receive A Free Copy Of “Final Battle” By David Horowitz.]
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has seen the light, or at least a little bit of it.
The sweatpants-wearing icon of Bernie Sanders supporters came out swinging as if awakening from a coma: “Progressivism left me,” he announced. “Increasingly, progressivism moved and migrated into some positions that I don’t agree with and I really just feel much more comfortable in being just a Democrat. We have a crisis at our border and it can’t be controversial that we should have a secure border.”
This admission caused Fetterman’s supporters to push every alarm bell in sight.
Salon.com bellowed, “John Fetterman’s Shameful Betrayal of the Left.”
Other leftists began calling him Genocide John for his unequivocal support of Israel.
Newsweek stated: “John Fetterman Accused of Throwing Wife Under the Bus with Border Remarks.”
The magazine referenced Muslim journalist Mehdi Hasan, who in December 2023 reposted a June 2021 screenshot of a Fetterman post on what was then Twitter showing his wife, Gisele Barreto, holding her citizenship papers and an American flag along with Fetterman’s words, “Immigration makes America, America.”
Hasan headlined the X reposting: “Senator Fetterman throws his wife under the bus.” (Gisele was a child of 7 when her family brought her to the U.S. illegally, meaning that she had no choice in that decision.)
Hasan, it should be noted, quit MSNBC earlier this month when the network demoted him from anchor to contributor. The journalist’s final show featured a Palestinian photographer who talked about the dangers of working in Gaza during Israeli military operations.
His demotion caused Muslim Rep. lhan Omar to declare, “It is deeply troubling that MSNBC is canceling his show amid the rise of anti-Muslim bigotry and suppression of Muslim voices.”
But Hasan’s criticism of Fetterman on X seemed driven by deeper issues, such as the senator’s support for Israel. Hasan knows Fetterman would not go public with criticism of leftist immigration policies without the support of his wife.
Another attack on Fetterman came from a Philadelphia-based Social Justice Warrior, Alexandra Hunt, who ran unsuccessfully for Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District in 2022 and then failed to capture the office of city controller in May 2023.
The long-haired, two-time loser glam-feminist wrote on X: “Fetterman has never been progressive but endorsing talks for tougher immigration laws when he’s married to an incredible woman who was once an illegal immigrant and who kept his campaign alive while he was recovering from a stroke is actually sickening.”
But Fetterman, throwing his 6’8” frame into the action, is not backing down.
He asked how anybody could justify 270,000 people entering the US illegally, a number matching the population of Pittsburgh, “the second largest city in Pennsylvania.”
Reasonable souls would agree that allowing that many migrants into the country is the ultimate definition of a national suicide pill.
It also qualifies as a more accurate definition of the word “sickening.”
Progressives, of course, don’t want to have a conversation about illegal immigration. Conversations raise questions, and questions challenge progressive orthodox canons.
Fetterman’s dissociation from the left on the issues of immigration and Israel, while still claiming to be a Democrat, is a reflection of what’s happening to many Democrats in Philadelphia, a city with over 200,000 Jewish households, making it the third largest Jewish population center in America.
Yet many of the city’s traditionally progressive Jews and others seemed to have hit the “pause” button when it comes to celebrating leftist causes.
You might call this the Fetterman Effect: people who heretofore automatically ‘checked off’ everything the left advocates but who are now taking a second look at the fissures and cracks appearing in progressivism.
Whether this “pause” will evolve into the acceptance of more enlightened conservative views is unknown.
A similar thing can be said for Fetterman himself: will the senator go on to experience a kind of incremental conversion —via baby steps—and leave the Democrat Party down the line?
What is certain is that the progressive base is targeting Fetterman because of his views on Israel, even though his views on that topic have never changed.
During the 2022 Senate Primary Campaign in Pennsylvania, Fetterman laid out that support in very strong language, although this was well before the October 7, 2023 massacre of Israelis by Hamas, and well before major cracks began to appear in the Democrat Party itself over Israel’s right to defend itself.
“Whenever I’m in a situation to be called on to take up the cause of strengthening and enhancing the security of Israel or deepening our relationship between the United States and Israel, I’m going to lean in,” Fetterman told Jewish Insider in 2022.
As for progressives who loathe or criticize Israel, Fetterman said, “I would also respectfully say that I’m not really a progressive in that sense.”
Prior to October 7, Democrats found it a little easier to turn their backs on the rhetoric coming from the left regarding the Israel-Palestine issue. But October 7 was a game-changer.
Reporting on Fetterman’s U-turn on “immigration” and support for Israel, The Nation magazine focused on Philadelphia: “Protesters from IfNotNow and Jewish Voice for Peace, two progressive Jewish organizations critical of the Israeli government, have already confronted Fetterman, shutting down the street in front of his Philadelphia office. Protesters interrupted a recent campaign event and former campaign staffers penned a letter to his office urging him to support a cease-fire.”
“I was very appalled and shocked by the language he used,” said Jules Berkman-Hill, a former Fetterman campaign volunteer. “As a Pennsylvania Jew who devoted significant time to getting him elected—and knowing he was the best choice to be our senator—I believe he is really letting us down.”
But as the Democrat Party increasingly becomes less centrist and more leftist, Fetterman may find himself increasingly on the outs despite his contention that he wants to be known, simply, as “just a Democrat.”
What does “just a Democrat” mean, anyway, when for so many it means a complete capitulation to leftist causes.
Metamorphosis, or that long or short journey to another way of thinking, can be a traumatic experience.
Men and women of goodwill can only hope that the senator makes it to the other side of the hill.
“What I have found out over the last couple years is that the right,and now the left, are hoping that I die,” Fetterman recently stated, referring to the near-fatal stroke he experienced during his campaign. “There are ones that are rooting for another blood clot. They have both now been wishing that I die.”
The “right” away to go about this, Mr. Fetterman, is not to die but to continue changing—and by doing that you will choose life.
Richard Terrell says
Courage is proved in situations where a person takes a prophetic stance vis-a-vis his/her primary constituency.and stands on principle amidst those who have none.
Gary Hope says
I think he’s a double. The first “Fetterman”,….”Fetterperson” is,/ was an incoherent zombie. How did he become articulate all of a sudden?
I wouldn’t trust either one of them to be believable and not a left wing commie traitor underneath.
SPURWING PLOVER says
Just what’s that thing on the back of his neck anyway?
Greg says
I’m curious about the back thingy too. And since when did Fetterman start speaking in coherent sentences? Something about this smells of artificial intelligence. Maybe the Democ-rats are testing a device to implant in Joe Bite-Me. Anybody seen Dr. Fauci lately?
SPURWING PLOVER says
I had a Boil on the back of my neck a few years a go had to get it treated
JosieC says
It’s quite possible that a stroke victim can undergo the kind of mental and attitudinal changes that Fetterman is exhibiting, including the more coherent speech. The change could actually have an underlying physiological cause. Whatever is causing it, I think we should be happy about it, and wish him well. And, as hope it continues.
Tionico says
I guess you’ve never known anyone to have suffered astroke. They can do many strange things, some of them very unpleasant. The mind (the thinking and reasoning part) can remain fully fuctional but the ability to tramslate its output and conclusions can be locked up thus making the stroke victim unable to communicate. Sometimes this is permanent, others it can reverse of its own accord.. sometimes in hours (as with two different friends of minr in the past year) or maybe take time, soimetimes even years.
What matters is that now he DOES sepak coherently. And he seems to have some things to say now. Perhaps that mind of his has been functioning and processing all along, and is now restored to the point he can again communicate well, AND think well.
Mo de Profit says
You guys are going down the same path as the UK. We have NO real opposition politicians.
We have a conservative government apparently and our borders are being invaded by half a million illegals every year since brexit.
There was zero opposition to the lockdown hysteria, zero opposition against the climate hysteria either.
Our opposition is the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrat’s.
Tionico says
HALF A MILLION per year? Dood you are off by a factor of TEN.
Banastre Tarleton says
The rich, succulent irony is that Fetterman with mental problems is more sane than most of the DEMS as he has not got the message from DEM H Q that Left is the direction of travel . It’s like a comedy movie where members of a cult are confronted by a member who just doesn’t get it !
He just highlights how deranged and out of touch the democratic party have became when an oddball is the sensible one
Chief Mac says
Omar the raghead declared over the weekend to be a Somali first, Muslim second and nothing about supporting America
Sebastian says
And all you Leftist Jews will continue to vote Democrat. Same difference
Chaya says
oh no not again! i have to respond to another ignorant ‘blame the Jooz” anti-Semite using the mainstream media as a reference for bullying.
No one in my family or circle votes Democrat and hasn’t for decades. 3 local rabbis do not. There are still some lefty Jews but the number has decreased and us nowhere near the number of leftist non-Jews. The number of total Jews in the US are not enough to sway an election. But lefty Christians can. So vent your fury on them!
Historically, Jews were blamed for any illness, bad weather wells run dry and sometimes killed for these false claims. But today when such hate is spewed, we fight back.
Hopefully, words will suffice, but if not, not.
Sebastian says
Looks like I struck a nerve with an overly emotional female. So, truth telling is antisemitism now? Talk about ignorant.
No one in your family or 3 local rabbis is a Leftist ? Congrats to you, but that doesn’t account for all the families and rabbis that are Leftists. Further, this has nothing to do with the MSM. Every survey and poll shows Jews vote upwards of 70% Democrat ! If that’s not startling enough Jews only make up 2% of the US population.
And where Jews are most concentrated like NYC, for example, they certainly can sway an election.
I’m not blaming Jews for bad weather, the black plague or whatever else you want to bring up. However , they vote over 70% Democrat. I get it you’re embarrassed by it. Deal with it!
Roe Moddo says
He’s right! Liberal Jews just don’t get it! The worst are liberal Israelis. Full on death wish via suicide!
jd says
Same for all Democrats. They have all been brainwashed into a state of dangerous delusion. The Muslims and mass migration are a danger to us all. Unfortunately, only tragic events like Oct. 7 can break deluded liberals out of their daydreams. I hope it has had an impact on non-Jewish liberals, as well. The media will never let us know. Any kind of broad transformation of liberals away from globalism will be carefully hidden by the enemedia.
JJ says
Sebastian > People like you blamed the Jews for Obama and Jews are less than 1% of the voting population. Then you blamed the Jews for Biden. The population that we can thank for BO and Biden are White and Black Christians. I’m a Jew and didn’t vote BO or Biden. I know many Jews and Christian democrats and they are NOT voting democrat now. Just keep blaming the 1% of the Jewish voting population and lets see what else you come up with to blame the Jews you Anti-Semitic Ahole….
Sebastian says
JJ thank you for your response . However, I never blamed Jews for Obama or. Biden. There is plenty of blame to go around. While women vote overwhelmingly Democrat.
Sure , blacks vote Democrat blindly., as well, and disproportionately to their numbers.
But, Jews make up 2% of the US population and vote upwards of 70%. That’s startling !!!!
Instead of getting angry at me you should take your ire out on all the Leftist Jews out there and persuade them why conservatism is better than liberalism. Wouldn’t that be more constructive than pretending Jews as a group don’t vote overwhelmingly Democrat?
Think about it and get back to me.
Tionico says
I know oif a boat, about seventy feet length overall, built by the Lee Kee shipyards in Shanghai China back a decade or three. I’d like to charter her for a round trip cruise to Cuba, a full ride scholarship, to include the Squad and all their staff, minions, legal and illegal “spouses” and other such groupies, to tke them to their much-vaunted Pair o Dice there in Havana, complete with a special merienda with the Ghost of Fidel (whoever is standing in for that role these days). The vessel is in “solid” condition but does have a rather unpleasant habit of leaking from time to time…. sometimes water in, sometimes fuel out. But she’s a good ship, all considered and “relatively” speaking. . I would only hire corrupt democrats for crew, giving particular attention to the “ethnic origins” of each crew member, no care taken for verifying their qualifications to operate such a vessel. After all, isn’t the “racial diversity” the ONE KEY issue these days? I would also take out an all cause casualty insurance policy for ten times the value of my “pweshus” widdow shipp”. Just to cover my own asset, you know…. and NO I would not participate in the cruise personally. Two reasons: One, I think I’d rather have a stroke than be sequestered with a large group f such individuals for a period much longer than one hour. And I’ll leave you my Dear Reader, to speculate o the other (main) reason….
Lightbringer says
How heartwarming. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside about the worthless bitch.
Snuffy Carter says
That’s why Congress and the Senate should have the same qualifications for running for office as the Presidency – if you are born in a foreign country, you should not be able to run for Congress or the Senate – because people will always be loyal to their native-born country before they are loyal to America.
I said the same thing on Breitbart awhile back about Omar and got banned for life. Screw Halfbreit for protecting the enemies against America.
Jason P says
I hope he stays in the Democratic Party and helps reform it. We need the Dems to be a sane opposition because now and then they’ll be in power. I suspect he’ll still champion the welfare state.
Kasandra says
I salute Sen Fetterman for his statements on these two issues (fwiw the figure of 274,000 illegals was for just one month) but he has to understand where his entire party has gone. On January 24, 2024, the entire Dem Senate delegation minus only him and Sen. Manchin proposed an amendment that would endanger Israel and award Hama’s and the PA by making it U.S. policy to create a “Palestinian state” on Israel’s lawful territory, ruled the PA which pays Arabs to murder Jews and which has a population that supports Hama’s and the October 7 massacre to a greater extent than Gazans. It’s not only the “progressives” that lost him. His entire party has lost its collective mind.
danknight says
Who cares? … Saving Israel and stopping immigration are noble goals …
… but someone has to roll back Leftism or the nation is lost.
Going to Heck in a slow handbasket only makes the final destination more certain and complete than the fast track.
The Left can jettison Fetterman for his brief and irrelevant excursion into a couple of reasonable positions … or not …
… but we don’t need him or anyone like him …
What we need is to take back our government and prosecute those using our tax money to invade our border … bomb Ukraine … overthrow populist governments in Venezuela, Brazil, etc., … printing money out of thin air … paying Chi-coms to steal our intellectual property …
… not to mention just arresting and prosecuting all the pedophiles, potheads, and perverts working in government and/or the legal profession (which amounts to the same list of persons) …
That would fix enough of what the Left has corrupted to give civilization another chance …
Tionico says
Don’t waste any money prosecuting the potheads. They will “irrelevant” themselves into oblivion all on their own.
Do, however, save billions of MY tax dollars annually by decriminalising all “controlled substances”. Empty the prisons of those serving terms for the use of any of them. Let the market normalise their prices, and once the huge incentive for profit is deflated by a free market in them, the cartels will no longer have any motive to control territory, kill and destroy, play army guys in Mexican deserts and thwe Aussie Outback
then those resources, once freed from chasing shadows, can once again be reallocated to important tasks such as putting the squeeze on rampant theft, street violence, casual carjackings and murders, tent camping anywhere and leaving your waste behind….. the Bn65$/year now wasted in the perpetual unwinnable (a feature, not a bug) “war on some substances” can be far better spent.. first by NO LONGER being stolen from we who pay taxes.
Lightbringer says
Plus there would be a great many druggies who would contend for the Darwin Award every year, since so many would voluntarily remove themselves from the human gene pool.
Snuffy Carter says
moron, I don’t want to get into a car with a uber driver who just smoked his crack pipe.
TRex says
So the answer to the drug problem is more drugs? If it will “save our democracy” I say bring it on.
Sebastian says
It’s just so baffling how over 70% of Jewish folks are far left progressives who blindly vote Democrat. Seriously, it’s not like they are stupid people. Blacks? Yes. Generally they have low IQ’s because they come from dysfunctional homes. But, Jews are supposed to be “smart.”
Just shows you the difference between being “smart” and being wise. Smart people make bad decisions all the time. What’s even more baffling is the Left hates Israel and Jews. Yet, a disproportionate number of Jews are Leftist. Really pathetic
jcr says
“Smart & Wise.”
The difference. I totally agree.
Sadly, Einstein cannot comment.
Steve says
“He asked how anybody could justify 270,000 people entering the US illegally, a number matching the population of Pittsburgh, ‘the second largest city in Pennsylvania.'”
He just had an epiphany. Maybe his ideological journey will also cause him to ask what policies reduced Pittsburgh, once a city of around 700,000 people to a mere 270,000. Look at what’s happening in other places ruled by “progressives”- Minneapolis, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, St Louis, Detroit, Boston and Washington DC.
And 270,000 is just the number entering illegally in what- a week, a month? Biden’s let in millions of illegals since he began serving Barack Hussein Osama’s unofficial third term. Illegal immigration appeals to Democrats solely because they think it will favor them politically- specifically, it will “turn Texas blue” and establish permanent political hegemony (that wet dream of theirs speaks volumes about their totalitarian nature). It is certainly not based on any humanitarian considerations.
If Biden and Obama succeeded in destroying Israel and millions of Jews fled to save their lives, I’ll bet every “progressive” would be instantly converted to an advocate of strict immigration laws (like the ones FDR and Breckinridge Long enforced during the Holocaust) and every “REFUGEES WELCOME!!!!!” lawn sign in virtue signaling affluent neighborhoods would vanish overnight.
Newsel says
Just thankful Sen Fetterman is not letting ideology blind him and that he is putting Country first. As a seperate matter, glad he is on the mend. Lost a dear friend to a stoke, even a mild one. Takes guts and patience to recover. It was the 2nd one that was devastating.
john blackman says
america is the modern day version of the titanic , flares have been sent , distress call made , deck chairs shuffled , band plays on , hit iceberg called feckless joe and is on its way to the bottom at speed . america cant be saved regardless of what anyone does .
Snuffy Carter says
If Biden/Obozo are re-elected, I mean if they steal another election, America will be gone.
jcr says
Iceberg? I differ only in that dopey Joe will be first on the lifeboat.
Dogsbreakfast says
The Jews in my extended family:
1) Hate Trump;
2) Think Roe/Wade (killing babies) is more important than the 10 commandments;
3) Will still be voting democrat after Biden supported Iran succeeds in reducing Israel to just a hole in the
ground.