A reckoning has arrived for the political class. The old ways of the “Swamp” are being exposed.
And now a U.S. Senator’s career has suddenly crashed and burned, shocking all of Washington, D.C.
U.S. Senator John Fetterman’s Career Takes Sudden Downturn
The Democratic Party in Pennsylvania is grappling with a crisis of confidence in one of its most prominent figures, Senator John Fetterman, whose popularity has plummeted among the state’s Democratic voters. An internal poll conducted from February 6 to 11 reveals a stark divide, with Fetterman’s favorability underwater in his home state. This development comes amid whispers of concern about his physical and mental health, as reported by New York Magazine in a piece Fetterman dismissed as a “one-source hit piece.” The timing of the poll, just months before the article’s release, has sparked unease among Democrats, with some quietly exploring the rules surrounding a potential resignation and eyeing replacements, according to Politico.
In Pittsburgh, near Fetterman’s home, the numbers are particularly grim. Only 46% of likely Democratic voters view the senator favorably, while 49% hold an unfavorable impression. This stands in sharp contrast to Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, who enjoys an 82% favorable rating among the same group, with just 13% viewing him negatively. The disparity reveals a troubling disconnect between Fetterman and the party’s base, raising questions about his ability to unify Democrats in a state critical to national elections.
The senator’s struggles are most pronounced among Pittsburgh’s progressive Democrats, with a staggering 74% expressing an unfavorable view. Liberal Democrats are more evenly split, with 52% viewing him favorably, while moderate and conservative Democrats in the city are significantly more supportive, with 65% holding a positive impression. This split suggests Fetterman’s shift away from the progressive label he once embraced has alienated a key faction of the party, leaving him vulnerable in a political landscape that demands ideological cohesion.
Fetterman’s own words confirm his departure from the progressive camp. In 2023, he told NBC News, “I am not one,” distancing himself from the label that defined his early career. This pivot has not gone unnoticed, as his actions in the Senate further illustrate a divergence from Democratic orthodoxy. His vote to confirm Trump-era Attorney General Pam Bondi made him the lone Democrat to break ranks, a move that stunned colleagues and fueled perceptions of disloyalty.
Fetterman’s independence was also evident during the Senate’s March battle over a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown. While many Democrats wavered, Fetterman stood firm, telling reporters he “refuses to burn the village down to claim to save it.” His willingness to prioritize pragmatism over party posturing exposed a lack of unified leadership among Democrats, who often seem more focused on internal squabbles than delivering results.
The senator’s co-sponsorship of the Laken Riley Act, which mandates detention for illegal immigrants charged with certain crimes, further alienated progressive Democrats. His January visit to Mar-a-Lago to meet with President Donald Trump, justified by Fetterman as an effort to “deliver for Pennsylvania and the nation,” drew sharp criticism from party loyalists. These moves suggest a politician charting his own course, but they also reveal a Democratic Party struggling to reconcile its diverse factions under weak congressional leadership.
Fetterman’s vocal support for Israel since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023, has deepened the rift. His unwavering stance has put him at odds with prominent Democrats, who face pressure to adopt a more critical view of Israel. This tension points to a broader failure of Democratic leaders in Congress to articulate a clear, unified foreign policy, leaving senators like Fetterman to navigate contentious issues in isolation.
NewsNation host Chris Cuomo offered a scathing assessment of the Democratic Party’s treatment of Fetterman during a recent episode of “The Chris Cuomo Project.” “Fetterman is a test case — a case study — in why the Democrats fell to the position that they’re in. You focus on the wrong things,” Cuomo said. “You focus on purity tests. And you eat your own. And you may think it makes you better, but when it comes to winning races, it has made you worse.” His remarks point to a party more preoccupied with ideological conformity than building a coalition capable of winning elections.
The absence of strong Democratic leadership in Congress has left Fetterman exposed to attacks from within his own party. Republican Senator Dave McCormick, Pennsylvania’s other senator, came to Fetterman’s defense, condemning the “disgraceful smears” against him. “It’s time to put politics aside and stop these vicious, personal attacks against Senator Fetterman, his wife, and his health,” McCormick wrote on X.
“While we have many differences, we are both committed to working together to achieve results for the people of Pennsylvania and make their lives better. He is authentic, decent, principled, and a fighter. These disgraceful smears against him are not the John that I know and respect.”
Even Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas weighed in, praising Fetterman as a “decent and genuine guy.” Cotton attributed the attacks to Fetterman’s pro-Israel stance, writing, “The radical left is smearing him with dishonest, vicious attacks because he’s pro-Israel and they only want reliable anti-Israel politicians. Disgraceful.” The fact that Republicans are defending a Democratic senator while his own party remains silent speaks volumes about the leadership vacuum in Congress.
Fetterman’s tenure, which began with his election in 2022, has been marked by controversy and defiance. With his next election not until 2028, he has time to rebuild his standing, but the current turmoil suggests a deeper malaise within the Democratic Party. Pennsylvania’s status as a battleground state, narrowly won by Trump in 2024 by 1.7 points, amplifies the stakes for Democrats, who cannot afford to alienate voters or lose key figures like Fetterman.
The senator’s struggles are symptomatic of a party that lacks direction in Congress, where leaders fail to bridge ideological divides or rally behind embattled members. Instead of fostering unity, Democratic leaders have allowed internal divisions to fester, leaving senators like Fetterman to face criticism without robust support. This dynamic weakens the party’s ability to compete in a politically divided nation.
Cuomo’s critique resonates as Democrats grapple with their identity. The party’s obsession with ideological purity, coupled with its inability to cultivate strong congressional leadership, has left it vulnerable. Fetterman’s case illustrates how quickly Democrats turn on their own when they deviate from the party line, a tendency that stifles independent thought and undermines their own electoral success.
