As Fetterman’s recovery progresses, his alignment with the left weakens
Allow me to make a rare move that commentators rarely do: I must admit that I was mistaken.
This kind of admission is uncommon in the world of commentary. However, in this case, I was wrong.
Here it goes: I misjudged Sen. John Fetterman.
In an article written for The Post on Valentine’s Day in 2023, I expressed my opinion that Pennsylvania’s new US Senator was lacking the mental and physical capabilities required for his role.
According to reports, he had difficulty understanding voices, struggled to walk, and generally seemed inadequate for the position.
Despite the mainstream press defending him (due to the D next to his name), a New York Times article even acknowledged Fetterman’s challenges, stating that to him, voices sounded like the adults in the “Peanuts” cartoons – incomprehensible noise, and his health issues led to “physical and mental health challenges.”
After NBC’s Dasha Burns conducted live interviews with him, she remarked that Fetterman seemed unable to follow their conversation.
This revelation resulted in Burns facing criticism from left-leaning activists and fellow journalists. She was chastised by her own network’s Savannah Guthrie and in the pages of the Times.
After all this, I concluded that Fetterman would merely be a pawn for his party, guided by his staff and handlers on how to vote, essentially a pliable vote for the Democratic Party and the activists who influence it.
In essence, a programmed Senate voting machine controlled by party loyalists.
Once again, I was mistaken.
Fetterman’s health has shown significant improvement, and interestingly, as his brain damage receded, his alignment with leftist activists and the Democratic Party’s officials decreased.
During a speech at Yeshiva University’s commencement, Fetterman dramatically removed his Harvard hood and expressed his disappointment in his alma mater’s failure to address rampant antisemitism on its campus, extending this discontent to the entire Ivy League.
Fetterman stated, “As an alum of Harvard – look, I graduated 25 years ago, and of course, it was always a little pinko. But now, I don’t recognize it.”
“The Jewish community everywhere deserves our support,” he added. “And I promise you will always have mine.”
That’s not all. When pro-Palestinian protesters arrived at the senator’s residence (with no defense from left-leaning activists), threatening him with “nowhere to hide,” Fetterman boldly displayed an Israeli flag on his roof.
His unscripted behavior extends beyond Israel. When an environmental activist confronted him in a Senate corridor regarding pipeline construction support, he recorded himself mocking her with his phone.
The activist later sniffed, “I’ve talked to Republicans who were more friendly than that.”
Fetterman has also diverged from the Biden administration’s open-border policy, taking a firm stance against illegal immigration.
He has disagreed with the White House on energy policy, voicing support for pipelines and liquid natural gas exports.
He referred to Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey as a “sleazeball.”
He has also undermined the Democrats’ legal attacks on Donald Trump, stating, “I’m not even exactly sure what his trials are about.”
Overall, the progressive press criticizes him for adopting a more caustic style that challenges left-wing ideologies.
This shift is not well-received by Democrats. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, known for her attacks on Republicans, now accuses Fetterman of being a “bully.”
Despite the criticism, Fetterman remains unfazed. While currently aligning with Senate Democrats, he could potentially align with Republicans if Democrats continue to irritate him.
With a 51-49 Senate divide, this prospect likely gives Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) cause for concern.
Is it merely coincidental that Fetterman’s views have shifted rightward as his brain has healed?
I venture to say it is not.
Glenn Harlan Reynolds is a law professor at the University of Tennessee and the founder of the InstaPundit.com blog.
