Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) is once again criticizing his own party, this time in response to the Harris-Walz Campaign’s disastrous pitch to male voters. Trump recorded massive gains among white working class men and received record numbers of votes from black and hispanic males.
In a recent interview with the New York Times, the Pennsylvania lawmaker pointed to efforts from X owner Elon Musk and other Silicon Valley figures who are now aligned with Trump as a crucial factor in the president-elect’s victory and securing key demographics.
“Musk was involved. He was described as moving to Pennsylvania. And sometimes that doesn’t really mean much, but he was an active surrogate — and I mean, his checkbook was helpful. That wasn’t really the defining facet for me,” Fetterman said. “I was concerned that he’s going to have a lot of sway with a part of the demographic that the Democrats have to win, and we’ve struggled with.”
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When asked what demographic he was referring to, the Pennsylvania lawmaker stated that he was speaking in reference to male voters.
“Whether it’s the ‘bros,’ that negative term that perhaps even your publication uses, as a negative — it’s the bros, or, you know, males, blue-collar guys, just people,” he said. “It’s very rare, in my opinion, that surrogates have ‘fanboys.’ Making fun of him or make light of it, you do that at your peril, because it is going to matter.”
Fetterman then shared his thoughts on how the Democratic Party can improve its messaging.
“Have a conversation. Have a conversation with anyone that’s willing to have an honest conversation. That’s always been the rule, and that’s what I’m going to continue,” the freshman senator continued. “I’ve had conversations on Fox News, and they’ve played me straight. I’ve shown up on Newsmax, and they’ve played it straight. And Rogan, Rogan was great. He was cordial and open and warm.”
Fetterman further stated that Democrats have been struggling with male voters since 2016, adding that their current approach is “condescending” and “not helpful.”
“In 2016, I was doing an event with the steel workers, across the street where I live, and I was noticing different kind of energy with this, with Trump. It was clear at that time that people were voting for Trump. And the Democrats’ response was, ‘Aren’t they smart enough to realize they’re voting against their interests?’ And that’s insulting,” the Pennsylvania lawmaker continued. “And that’s, I mean, that’s, that’s just not helpful. It’s condescending. And if anything, that reinforces that kind of stereotype.”
The Harris Campaign had hoped that the selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz — who represented a rural Minnesota U.S. House district before ascending tot he governor’s mansion — would help balance the ticket and court male voters. The bump never materialized, however, as Walz appeared clueless when operating a firearm on a hunting trip and made numerous gaffes relating to football terms despite marketing himself as a former high school coach and lifelong fan.
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