In the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s stunning 2024 victory, Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has not held back his criticism of the Democratic Party’s leadership, particularly taking aim at former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Fetterman, known for his blunt, no-nonsense style, has voiced his frustration with how the party handled the lead-up to the election, including a shadowy plot involving Pelosi and former President Barack Obama to replace Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket.
Leading up to Election Day, Fetterman had warned fellow Democrats about Trump’s surging popularity in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state. The freshman senator, who hails from a state that played a pivotal role in Trump’s campaign, noted the unique connection Trump has with Pennsylvania. “Trump has a special relationship with the state after he was nearly assassinated in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13,” Fetterman said. “If you match up Trump with Harris, I believe he’s going to win Pennsylvania. It’s going to be close, but Trump has a strong base here.”
Fetterman’s skepticism about the party’s strategy stemmed from his belief that Biden, despite his gaffes and declining approval ratings, was a stronger candidate than Kamala Harris. He maintained this stance even after Biden’s poor debate performance in June, a moment that reportedly triggered a plot led by Pelosi and Obama to replace Biden on the ticket. According to staffers cited by the New York Post, both Pelosi and Obama were initially looking to endorse Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) as a new face for the party, but Biden’s last-minute endorsement of Harris blindsided them. One DNC insider described Biden’s decision as a “f**k you” to Pelosi and Obama.
In a recent interview with Politico, Fetterman didn’t mince words, criticizing Pelosi for her role in the internal maneuvering. “Pelosi likes to act as the ‘godmother’ or ‘enforcer,’ but now she’s blaming Biden for the loss,” Fetterman remarked. “Well, you can’t have it both ways. You got what you wanted, and now you’re still blaming Biden.”
Fetterman also took a swipe at Pelosi’s decision to seek re-election at 84 years old, suggesting it was time for a younger generation to take over. “It’s ironic that she’s still clinging to power. Why not give a younger leader a chance to occupy that seat?” he said.
The senator highlighted the attempt on Trump’s life as a pivotal moment that galvanized voters and fueled Trump’s comeback. “When I was out campaigning, I saw people wearing shirts with that image of Trump raising his fist after being shot. It became an iconic symbol of his resilience,” Fetterman explained. “They tried everything — impeachment, legal battles, the media — and even an assassination attempt, but he survived. It made him look like a fighter. Imagine if that had happened to [Barack] Obama. It would have been a rallying cry for Democrats.”
Fetterman’s candid assessment of his party’s failures signals a broader reckoning for Democrats as they regroup following a shocking election loss. With voices like his challenging the old guard, it’s clear that the party may need to confront some hard truths about its leadership and strategy moving forward.
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