Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., expressed frustration over a recent poll showing that Pennsylvania Republicans view him more favorably than they view the state’s Republican senator, Dave McCormick.
Fetterman discussed his standing within the Democratic Party during an appearance on Greta Van Susteren’s Newsmax podcast. The senator has faced criticism for repeatedly challenging members of his own party and frequently appearing on conservative media outlets.
His conduct has also fueled speculation that he could eventually switch parties. Fetterman, however, has maintained that he will never officially become a Republican.
During the interview, Van Susteren directly asked Fetterman what makes him a Democrat.
Fetterman responded by defending his refusal to portray McCormick as an enemy or a bad person. He said he would not attack the Republican senator simply because members of his party might expect him to do so.
“If it’s required for me to stay in this seat, I refused to do it, then, hey, I would, I’d crash out then,” Fetterman said.
The Pennsylvania Democrat also pointed to his support for Israel and his views on data centers as examples of issues on which he would not change his position to satisfy his party.
Fetterman said he would not “lie about Israel” or describe data centers as “evil” or claim they would cause destruction. He argued that the issues were too important to the country for him to abandon his beliefs.
“I know what the party might demand but I refuse to go there because it’s more important to be honest and, as a kind of personal integrity,” he said.
Van Susteren pressed him again, asking what continued to hold him to the Democratic Party.
“I can’t explain where I’m at anymore,” Fetterman answered.
The senator then pointed to a recent New York Times report on polling conducted with The Philadelphia Inquirer and Siena. The poll found that 73% of self-identified Pennsylvania Republicans viewed Fetterman favorably, compared with only 22% of Democrats.
Fetterman said he could not understand why he was more popular among Republicans than McCormick. He also praised McCormick, saying he believes the Republican is a better senator than he is “overall.”
“I don’t know why Democrats are upset with me,” Fetterman said.
Despite the criticism and speculation, Fetterman argued that changing his party registration would not have any effect on how he performs his job.
“If I break the news right now, ‘Hey, I’m changing my party right now,’ my votes and my views won’t change,” he said.
Fetterman concluded that his political positions would remain identical regardless of the letter attached to his name.
“The label doesn’t mean anything because my votes and views will be the same,” he said.
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