Fetterman on Mamdani: 'He's not even a Democrat'

[Polybius]

Source: The Hill

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) on Thursday said the politics of New York Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani aren’t those of the Democratic party.

“I mean, so he’s not even a Democrat, honestly,” Fetterman said in an interview with Fox News, regarding Mamdani’s progressive socialist policies.

Mamdani, who currently serves as a New York Assemblymember, has been pushing for a citywide rent freeze, city-run grocery stores and free buses, among other things.

“Everything that I’ve read on him, I don’t really agree with virtually any of it politically,” Fetterman told Fox’s Chad Pegram.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5395860-fetterman-on-mamdani-hes-not-even-a-democrat/

[speak easy]

1. The loophole allowing Democrats to be members of the DSA should be closed.

Having said that, I am very disappointed in John Fetterman.

[vanessa_ca]

13. So in addition to demonizing them at every turn, you still expect DSA-type votes and support

without even the weak pretense of representation? Talk about giving an ailing party a final kick in the head. Statements like yours only encourage people to dump the party. Congratulations.

"He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind"

[Bettie]

50. Not even a weak pretense of

that "Big Tent" we keep hearing about. Apparently, the tent is big enough to hold Centrists (the current center, which is pretty far to the right) and fence sitting Republicans, but not progressives.

[vanessa_ca]

55. The "Big Tent" controlled by centrists isn't as strong as some think

When I compare the tone here to the tone at places like Reddit, I realize that the more people talk about a big tent while demonizing the more progressive wing, the faster people like me better run away to a smaller tent where we can work productively and build what we want.

Dragging Liz Cheney around like some lucky mascot. JC!

[Bettie]

56. That really turned a lot of people off

not just progressives either.

And yes, I get the frustration. We're not all centrists but the people who are seem to think the answer is becoming Republican Lite and that is NOT going to win us elections. It just isn't.

[ratchiweenie]

16. It seems to me Fetterman is no longer a Democrat. So pot/kettle.

[PatSeg]

24. Yeah, that's what I was thinking as well

[ananda]

25. No question. He's a Republican in Dem clothing.

A real snake in the grass.

[Rebl2]

31. Exactly my

thought.

[DrFunkenstein]

47. We Should Hold Trials To See Who Is A Card-Carrying Member of This Un-American Cabal

This is the Party of FDR and Francis Perkins, not a bunch of leftwing nutballs promising free lunches!

It's the Party of the WPA, not the WFP!

We have to root out this element before the Party tent becomes hopelessly contaminated and we start losing our donor class!

[sarcasm mode de-activated]

[speak easy]

48. A Dem representative can not be a member of the Green Party

and remain a Democratic rep. Caucus yes, rep no.The same should apple to the DSA. Choose one or the other.

[Incanus]

54. The DSA isn't a political party.

[Irish_Dem]

2. Is this the Onion?

[rogue emissary]

3. Oh no, the last golden boy doesn't like the new golden boy.

[Omnipresent]

28. Fetterman needs to memorize a simple phrase of, "No Comment".

[rogue emissary]

58. True.

[Nikossitti]

4. Well--

Based on his behavior recently, neither is Fetterman.

[Rebl2]

32. Agreed

[claudette]

5. Actually

I would say that about Fetterman.

[Mawspam2]

6. Retire already.

“I mean, so he’s not even a Democrat, honestly,”

And you are? You won't show up to do the work. You, Fetterman, are such a dissapointment. Go home and crawl back under your rock.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. Hey John, are you?

Why not go all the way and claim that Mamdani isn't even an American?

If being a Social Democrat isn't being a "Democrat," then should Mamdani join Bernie as an "Independent"?

Is the WH feeding you these lines?

[lastlib]

8. Takes one to know one, eh, Johnny?

Hey, Johnny, when are YOU going to become a Democrat?

[Omnipresent]

29. ...

[Paladin]

9. "Not even a Democrat"??? Looks who's talking---on Fox-fucking-News.

Any charitable feelings I had remaining with regard to Fetterman's very real and obvious problems are long gone---we need to be rid of him, just as soon as the good people of Pennsylvania can arrange it. The sooner the better.

[LPBBEAR]

10. "I mean, so he's not even a Democrat, honestly," Fetterman said

Pot Kettle Black

[LuvLoogie]

11. Fuck Fetterman.

Manchin light

[GoneOffShore]

59. He's gone full Manchin.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

12. John, stay in your lane, which is Pennsylvania.

eom

[twodogsbarking]

14. John doesn't have much future so he has to get it while he can 'cause after his term is up it is

[bronxiteforever]

15. One term John.

[Paladin]

22. That's one term too many. (nt)

[vanessa_ca]

17. Hey Fetterman, Democratic voters decide what a real Democrat is.

Regardless of what rightwing Democrats and the current leadership want them to believe.

[Incanus]

18. Except assemblyman Mamdani IS and HAS BEEN a Democrat.

So Fetterman goes on Fox to lie about a Democratic candidate, what's he going to say next, Mamdani's a communist?

[Autumn]

19. The thing is John, Mamdani IS a Democrat. A damn good one who cares about people who elected him.

You? Not so much.

[vanessa_ca]

20. Yep. Fetterman came from a very right-wing family, was very right-wing in college

and hung out with and partied with the Young Republicans’ Club at Albright. His brain injury has nothing to do with it. Folks have just been seeing the real Fetterman

Folks fell for the PR and marketing.

[Autumn]

23. Yeah and a lot of us kept our mouths shut.

He couldn't hide his real values forever. I thought it would take a couple of years.

[PatSeg]

27. Well that and the fact that he was running against

Dr. Oz, so Fetterman looked pretty good in comparison.

[vanessa_ca]

41. That lesser of two evils conundrum :( -eom

[PatSeg]

57. Yes and Fetterman ran a more impressive campaign

It turns out he was not the person who we thought we saw during his campaign.

[vanessa_ca]

21. And yet, Democratic voters preferred him to the other contenders by a healthy margin.

Chew on that one, Senator.

[milestogo]

26. So please show us what a Democrat is.

Hint: They don't vote with Republicans.

[Oopsie Daisy]

30. Careful... Bernie Sanders "voted with Republicans" to approve Marco Rubio as Trump's SOS pick.

>> Hint: They don't vote with Republicans.
That's a very broad brush being used to make claims like that and it may get rhetorical paint in places that aren't mean to be painted. No?

https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00008.htm

[CentralMass]

37. Marco Rubio was confirmed as Secretary of State by a unanimous vote of 99-0 in the U.S. Senate on January 20, 2025.

This means that all 45 Democrats (as well as 52 Republicans and 2 Independents) who were present and voting approved his nomination.

[Emile]

60. Chuck Schumer voted with Republicans" to approve Marco Rubio too.

You going to call Schumer out too?

[Oopsie Daisy]

61. No need. I'm not the one making broad-brush smears against Democrats.

[Emile]

62. Uh, okay.

[ms liberty]

45. Democrats vote with Repukes all the damn time in both houses, Federal AND state governments

It's annoying. Frustrating. Infuriating. And not helpful.

[Kid Berwyn]

33. Been wondering the exact same thing about Fetterman.

Has to do with all the times he makes nice with King Taco the Traitor.

[patphil]

34. You could argue the same thing about Senator Bernie Sanders.

He has a lot of views that aren't in line with traditional Democrats, as does Senator Warren, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
I don't have a problem with any of them, or with Zohran Mamdani.
Zohran is right for NYC. He might not be right for western Pennsylvania. And that's OK.
There's plenty of room in the Democratic Party for a wide variety of political views. That's what sets us apart from the Republicans, who only have one view now...the Trump view.
It's our ability to allow people of all races, colors, creeds, and social backgrounds to all be Democrats that defines us, and gives us our strength.
I do wish Senator Fetterman had a better understanding of this. When he attacks Zohran, he is weakening our party, and reducing our ability to protect America from the rising fascism in the Republican Party.

[republianmushroom]

35. Fetterman is saying what ?

John have you looked in the mirror lately ?

[CentralMass]

36. Look who's talking.

[PortTack]

39. Fetterman has totally lost his values....

[Ferrets are Cool]

40. Fuck you John.

[ShepKat]

42. projecting much ?

he doesn't sound like a democrat. Maybe he should come out of the closet

[Deminpenn]

44. Rent freeze, city run groceries, free busses

are things Fetterman doesn't agree with?

Does he know his wife runs a "free store" where they live in Braddock? Does he understand some low income communities don't have easy access to a supermarket?

Does he know in Pennsylvania senior citizens ride public transit for free?

Does he know Pittsburgh has a big problem with affordable housing?

All Mamdani's policy ideas would be welcomed by western Pennsylvania residents.

I'd like to hear how my senator would address those issues differently.

[ms liberty]

46. I am seriously disappointed in this guy.

[DrFunkenstein]

49. Sounds Like The Sort of Thing David Hogg Was Talking About

Fetterman seems like a prime candidate to get primaried.

[Bettie]

53. Shhhh.....we're not supposed to even suggest

that anyone in office ever be primaried! SMH.

[jrthin]

51. We could say the same for Fetterman considering whom he has aligned himself with.

[Emile]

52. Schumer will have strong words to say to Fetterman

anytime now.

[EarthFirst]

63. Sunday. n/t

[AZProgressive]

64. Why is everything that Fetterman says considered LBN?

Mamdani's policies are popular with the majority of the electorate including with Republicans.