Democrat Senator John Fetterman (PA) is increasingly becoming a pain the butt for the home team. The mercurial, free-thinking senator, who goes to work in shorts and a hoodie, refuses to toe the line of a party that has not only lost touch with its base; it has also refused to acknowledge it such; choosing instead to blame its sycophantic media for failing to push the party line even more than they already do.
This raises a fascinating question.
While Fetterman continues to infuriate Democrat party hacks, is he also becoming a role model who Democrat politicians should emulate, particularly given the party's thrashing in the 2024 general election, from the beatdown delivered to Vice President Kamala Harris to down-ballot wins by Republicans?
'An Open Mind and an Informed Opinion'
As opposed to his Senate Democrat colleagues who have vowed not to meet with President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet nominees or even consider voting in favor of them, Fetterman wrote in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) that he believes it is “appropriate and the responsibility” of a United States senator to speak with Trump’s nominees.
One of those nominees is Pete Hegseth, nominated by Trump as his secretary of Defense. Hegseth, a decorated military veteran and co-host of "Fox & Friends Weekend," has been smeared, lied about, and dismissed out of hand by the Democrats — a clear sign that they're fearful of his stated intentions to rid the military of higher-ups who push DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusivity) and other "woke" nonsense.
"My votes will come with an open mind and an informed opinion," Fetterman wrote:
I believe that it’s appropriate and the responsibility of a U.S. Senator to have a conversation with President-elect Trump's nominees. That’s why I met with Elise Stefanik and Pete Hegseth, just wrapped with Tulsi Gabbard, and look forward to my meetings with others soon. My votes will come from an open-mind and an informed opinion after having a conversation with them. That’s not controversial, it's my job.
While most Democrats mouth (lie about) the above, Fetterman continues to demonstrate that he does it.
I believe that it’s appropriate and the responsibility of a U.S. Senator to have a conversation with President-elect Trump's nominees.
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) December 17, 2024
That’s why I met with Elise Stefanik and Pete Hegseth, just wrapped with Tulsi Gabbard, and look forward to my meetings with others soon.
My… pic.twitter.com/Vli5tr8XSr
Fetterman has already endorsed Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY), Trump’s pick for U.N. ambassador, saying he “looks forward” to voting “yes” for her nomination to “continue a strong and unapologetic pro-Israel position.”
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In contrast to Fetterman and his often-bipartisan view of his job, more than a dozen House Democrats have announced they won't attend inauguration on January 20.
Every Democrat set to serve in the 119th Congress was asked by Axios if they would attend the second swearing-in ceremony of Trump. Of those who responded, 13 said they wouldn't attend the inauguration, 20 were undecided, and 44 confirmed that they would attend, as of last Saturday.
Among Democratic senators, none said they would skip the inauguration, 10 were undecided, and 11 confirmed their attendance. One additional House Democrat, "Squad" member Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, also confirmed to USA Today that she won't attend.
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Other than pettiness, what message will congressional Democrats who don't attend Trump's inauguration send to America? That they're standing on principle? Hardly. That they're pouting like children who don't get their way? Absolutely. That they're already signaling that they have no intention of trying to work with the incoming president — who was decisively elected by the American people? Precisely. And who will their "brave" act of defiance impress? Themselves — and other members of the party of "no."
The Bottom Line
The definition of insanity, which is widely misattributed to Albert Einstein, suggests that doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is more than an accurate description of today's Democrat Party.
Whether or not Sen. John Fetterman can become a role model for the party remains to be seen, but I won't hold my breath. Democrats gonna Democrat and in some respects, I hope they do.
