Former Democratic presidential candidate Dean Phillips called out his party Monday for rallying against Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman.
Fetterman has received intense backlash from his Democrat colleagues over growing concerns about his mental health and for reportedly missing committee hearings. Phillips, who ran against former President Joe Biden in the 2024 Democratic Primary, said on “Fox & Friends” that his party needs to show some grace toward Fetterman and be more tolerant toward their colleagues who hold “different perspectives.”
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“In this case [Fetterman] suffered a crisis [as] we all know. I think we should cut him some slack,” Phillips said. “And I’m deeply troubled that my party, the Democratic party, isn’t making more room for people with different perspectives, many of which I share with Senator Fetterman. This is a democracy, we’re supposed to represent everybody. I think both parties should make some accommodations for people that may not see things right down the party line. Americans are sick of politics over principle and I think Senator Fetterman is a man of principle. That’s what should matter. I think we should actually attract more senators like that.”
Fetterman’s voting record has strayed from that of his Democratic colleagues on several occasions. He was the only member of his party’s caucus who voted to confirm U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and was one of the few Democrats to openly oppose a government shutdown in March as senators battled over a continuing resolution bill.
The Pennsylvania senator also co-sponsored the Laken Riley Act, which requires federal authorities to detain illegal immigrants charged with committing theft-related crimes in the U.S. He has also clashed with his fellow Democrats over his support for Israel since the barbarous Oct. 7, 2023, attack carried out by Hamas.
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Republican lawmakers have expressed support for Fetterman, including Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, who called the Democratic senator a “decent and genuine guy.” Republican Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick condemned the Democrats’ “disgraceful smears” against Fetterman.
“It’s time to put politics aside and stop these vicious, personal attacks against Senator Fetterman, his wife, and his health,” McCormick wrote in a post. “While we have many differences, we are both committed to working together to achieve results for the people of Pennsylvania and make their lives better. He is authentic, decent, principled, and a fighter. These disgraceful smears against him are not the John that I know and respect.”
Democrat Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego said that Republicans are attempting to “woo” Fetterman and warned that his party could suffer more election losses if they smear colleagues with different views, Politico reported.
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Fetterman, who suffered a near-fatal stroke in May 2022, has reportedly acted erratically, dodges check-up appointments, does not regularly take his medication and is prone to conspiratorial thinking, according to New York Magazine.
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First published by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
