I don't normally get into politics here (try me on Twitter for some real fun!), but I'm gonna think like a political consultant for a minute so stay with me. I'll lay it out: The Democratic party formerly known for representing the working class, while the republicans courted the rich.
That's the way things used to be.
The dems somehow "lost the plot" as they say in Blighty, and got bogged down in gendered bathrooms and other cultural issues, ceding Joe-Six-Pack to the opposition and giving up large portions of the electorate. The Keystone State, once reliably blue, became an electoral battleground to be fought over.
Enter John Fetterman.
You've seen him in the news recently. Tall bald guy, former Mayor of Braddock, out in western Pennsylvania, currently serving as the Lt. Governor. Wears hoodies and shorts, speaks like the regular Joe that he is. You could have a beer with this guy, and you know he'd quaff tons of it without blinking. So he doesn't look or sound like a politician. Not a wuss. Not trying to be someone he isn't. This dude looks like he came right out of central casting, and ticks so many political boxes.
They've written books about how the democrats lost the blue collar vote, but we have a solution right in front of us. He's not a democrat trying to act like a republican (sorry Conor Lamb). Mayor of a struggling town in western PA, had his unplanned Sister Souljah Moment. He connects issues raised those hosting MAGS signs in their front yards, and while no Bernie Bro, he's not afraid to share his progressive side as well.
He has so many positives, it's crazy. He dispatched Conor Lamb by a large margin in the primary, which surprised even me. Can hold his own with rural and suburban voters, while appealing to working-class city voters. I see him opening up the vast areas outside of Philly, Pittsburgh and towns like Lancaster, York, Pottstown, and the coal regions. He speaks your language, but is not afraid to mix it up when necessary.
If I had to choose one word to describe him it would be: Authentic. Take a look:
A gun owner who favors legalizing weed, John Fetterman is a gold mine for the democratic party. His only problem? Bad ticker. Had a stroke over the weekend, but is expected to make a full recovery. The dems are going to need him healthy if they're going to have any chance of flipping a senate seat in the fall.
I'm from a liberal city, (lotta Bernie Bros here, this region was a hotbed of socialism in the 1930s) in a "conservative" county. Once you leave the metro areas, you enter MAGAland. Trump signs everywhere, they want him back bad. John's the type of guy that can appeal to that constituency without compromising his core beliefs. He makes good arguments while making sure whoever he's talking to knows he's being heard. He won't back down if he thinks he's right, but is open to new ideas.
Dude is a breath of fresh air, and not the type of guy to give a damn which way the political wind is blowing. Hacks told him he was crazy for campaigning in areas that voted heavily for Trump, but he wasn't willing to cede these people to the opposition. I think he built up a lot of goodwill and respect in being willing to meet people where they live. He visited places no other democrat would have dared to before, unwilling to write off any voter.
John Fetterman is the real deal, and if he can stay healthy, he may just shock the political world in November. Remember The Trust Buster Teddy Roosevelt? He gives off those kind of vibes. He's gonna say what he thinks, and let the chips fall where they may. You may not agree with everything he says, but after hearing him out, you'll come to respect this humble "man of the people" as we do.
Please check out my recent posts:
Image Credit: 1,
Video Credit: 1, 2
I've been following Fetterman's political career for a few years now and he gives me hope for the future of American politics. I was so scared when I learned of his stroke in the eleventh hour of the primaries. I wish we had hundreds more like him.
It's a real breath of fresh air to have someone who'll say what he really thinks, but is also willing to listen. So many politicians are "packaged" and "handled" until you have no idea who they really are.
I agree totally. I hope he remains true to himself and genuine.
Yay! 🤗
Your content has been boosted with Ecency Points, by @evernoticethat.
Use Ecency daily to boost your growth on platform!
Support Ecency
Vote for new Proposal
Delegate HP and earn more