Miami
John Fetterman appeared in a Republican convention video and praised Dave McCormick
The Pennsylvania Democrat showed up in a video message at a GOP midterm gathering weeks before the election. He highlighted his relationship with Republican Sen. Dave McCormick and said he is willing to work with Donald Trump on the steel industry.
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania appeared by video at a Republican midterm convention and offered warm praise for fellow Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick, an unusual move with eight weeks left before the elections.
In the message, Fetterman described himself as a common-sense Democrat, said he rejects political extremes, and praised McCormick as a senator who gets results and will fight for Pennsylvania. He also said the two could work with President Donald Trump to defend the steel way of life in the Steel Valley.
After the video, McCormick thanked Fetterman for his friendship and courage. NBC News reported that the reaction inside the hall was subdued for much of the message, though the crowd responded with louder applause when Fetterman finished by introducing McCormick onstage.
According to NBC News, Fetterman and McCormick have developed a close bipartisan relationship and even launched a joint fundraising committee, drawing criticism from Democrats. In a statement, Fetterman said he votes overwhelmingly with his party and that if Democrats regain control of the Senate after the midterms, he would still be the 51st vote he promised to be.
In that statement, Fetterman said his remarks were meant to introduce McCormick as a great American and a friend, and stressed that while they belong to different parties, both are part of Team PA. He also said they have helped deliver hundreds of millions of dollars back to Pennsylvania and have worked on transportation, affordable housing and the steel industry.
NBC News also reported sharp criticism from former Fetterman aides over his decision to appear at an event nicknamed Trumpapalooza. Former legislative aide Trè Easton said the move was striking in scale and questioned the political wisdom of embracing Trump, whom he said had a 27% approval rating in the state.
Axios reported that Fetterman’s appearance came after convention organizers asked McCormick whether he could get the Democratic senator to take part, and McCormick said he would ask. That outlet said Fetterman agreed within days.
NBC News added that the appearance followed a Wall Street Journal report based on texts and internal documents provided by former aides about Fetterman’s alleged lack of interest in constituent engagement. After that report, McCormick defended him on X, accusing forces on the left and disloyal former staff of trying to silence an independent thinker.
Sources
About this piece. Written by El Notero with AI assistance, from reporting published by the outlet cited above. El Notero did no original reporting on this story.
