In the final weeks of the 2024 presidential campaign, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) made a notable move that set him apart from many of his Democratic colleagues: he appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast. At a time when many Democrats were encouraging Vice President Kamala Harris to do the same, Fetterman’s blunt, no-nonsense style resonated with voters, particularly in purple states where Democrats struggled.
In a candid interview, Fetterman argued that Democratic setbacks in 2024 were less about messaging issues or lack of communication from the center-left and more about the party’s association with “hard-left” progressive policies. “It’s not even what you might say as a candidate,” Fetterman said. “All of the very hard-left, kind of ‘woke’ things” that Republicans used in attack ads this year “are unloaded on the backs of all of us in purple states, and we’re paying for all of the things that our colleagues might say in these hard-blue kinds of districts.”
Fetterman’s remarks align with his broader post-election message for the Democratic Party. He stressed that Democrats should not become fixated on every controversial move by former President Donald Trump, pointing to how such reactions have harmed the party’s brand. “Clutch those pearls harder and scold louder — that’s not going to win,” he said, referencing the tendency to overreact to Trump’s actions. He emphasized that this strategy had already proven ineffective in the election cycle.
Reflecting on the election results, Fetterman acknowledged that Democrats were grappling with a range of issues, including inflation and immigration. However, he also pointed to two unique circumstances that contributed to the outcome. First, the assassination attempt on President Biden, which, he noted, created a powerful and unprecedented visual of the president responding with defiance. Second, he highlighted the influence of tech magnate Elon Musk, suggesting that Musk’s involvement in the race had a significant impact, potentially contributing to the loss of two House seats and statewide offices.
Regarding the border, Fetterman recognized that the issue was a major challenge for his party. “Wanting a secure border and realizing that it was out of control… that doesn’t mean you’re a xenophobe or you’re racist,” he said, stressing the need for a balanced approach to border security.
Looking ahead, Fetterman suggested that the election’s outcome was partly inevitable, given the political environment. However, he remained open to the idea that with different strategies, particularly around policy and messaging, the results could have been different.
As the Democratic Party prepares for the next phase, Fetterman’s reflections point to a broader reckoning with how the party positions itself in the face of rising conservative rhetoric and an increasingly polarized electorate. His unfiltered approach to politics is set to continue influencing the party’s direction as it looks ahead to future elections.
