John Fetterman says he's 'not a progressive' as he breaks from left wing on Israel, immigration

[FakeNoose]

New comments by Pennsylvania's freshman senator were his most explicit rhetorical break from a wing of the Democratic Party that has long supported him

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette link: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2023/12/15/john-fetterman-progressive-israel-immigration/stories/202312150092

Progressives have long seen John Fetterman as one of their own: He endorsed Bernie Sanders for president, hung marijuana and LGBTQ flags outside his office as Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor, and championed clemency for people serving life sentences when he ran the state’s Board of Pardons.

But as the freshman Democratic senator wraps up his first year in Washington, his breaks with progressive allies are bursting into clearer view, especially in his staunch support for Israel’s war against Hamas and his openness to joining Republicans in supporting an immigration crackdown.

“I’m not a progressive,” Mr. Fetterman told NBC News in an interview that published Friday. “I just think I’m a Democrat that is very committed to choice and other things. But with Israel, I’m going to be on the right side of that. And immigration is something near and dear to me, and I think we do have to effectively address it as well.”

His assertion that he’s “not a progressive” was his most explicit rhetorical break from a wing of the Democratic Party that has long supported him. But it was only the most recent.

- more at link -

Well maybe he's right. If the people who call themselves "progressive" are going around rooting for Hamas, then I'm not a "progressive" either. However I am still a liberal, and I know Big John Fetterman more liberal than most of us.

[bucolic_frolic]

1. We're moving to the political middle to shake up the 2024 race

This will attract Independents and a few old time Republicans.

[ShazzieB]

2. Yes...

If the people who call themselves "progressive" are going around rooting for Hamas, then I'm not a "progressive" either.

Same here. But like you, I am definitely still a liberal, and I'm sure Big John is.

[Think. Again.]

8. Quick question...

...for clarification, do you believe all Progressives are pro-hamas?

[ShazzieB]

12. I honestly have no idea.

I'd like to think not. My earlier reply was just to say that IF that's the definition of a progressive, it doesn't fit me.

[Think. Again.]

14. I see, Thanks!

[Think. Again.]

3. Smart move!...

...He has a strong progressive following, and by declaring that he is not a 'progressive', but that he is a Democrat that leans far left, he might slow the flow of left-leaning voters away from the Democratic party vote and strengthen Biden's chances while weakening third party chances.

I'm also glad he clarified that his 'pro-Israel' position is a right-leaning position, despite his support for it:

"But with Israel, I’m going to be on the right side of that. "

And he never explained what he meant by his immigration stance, I know his wife immigrated from Brazil...

[FakeNoose]

5. John Fetterman is supporting the President - why aren't more Dems doing the same?

[Think. Again.]

6. Exactly!...

...by declaring he is firmly a Democrat, and not a Progressive, he is pulling his far-left ideology into the "Big Tent" where every vote matters.

I sincerely hope other far-left voters will be willing to move a little toward the center, at least for this coming election, so we don't suffer the same fate as in 2016.

[TwilightZone]

11. Fetterman isn't far left.

He's left-of-center. The US doesn't really have much of a far-left contingent. Even Democratic socialism, as espoused by Bernie Sanders, et al, is center-left.

The DSA is probably the closest there is to far-left in the US. They support overthrowing the capitalist system and replacing it with socialism. They only have about 70,000 members, however, so they're not much of a political force (their claims to the contrary notwithstanding), though they tend to be rather vocal.

[Think. Again.]

13. the U..S. political spectrum...

...as it exists, does have a far left, a far right, and everything in between.

Thats how spectrums work.

The postions of those left and right extremes shift, as does the center, with changing public views, and for the last few decades it has all been shifting to the right, moving the center to the right with it.

It is not a static system at all.

Fetterman could definitely be considered far left within our current spectrum.

And speaking of working to correct the harms of capitalism, have you read about his wife's work in that arena? Great stuff...

"Gisele Fetterman is an access and equity advocate, a hugger and the First Lady of Braddock, Pa. She is the founder of Freestore 15104, where surplus and donated goods are received and redistributed to neighbors in need. The Freestore aims to eradicate food and clothing insecurity, and currently serves close to 1,600 clients a month. The Freestore has inspired 6 spin off locations and the birth of 412 Food Rescue. Gisele is the co-founder of 412 Food Rescue, a community wide effort to end hunger and reduce food waste. 412 Food Rescue works with food retailers, wholesalers and other food providers to rescue un-sellable but perfectly good food to feed the food insecure. She is co-founder of For Good PGH, a non-profit that works to advocate inclusion and inspire kindness. Its first initiative, Hello Hijab, has received both national and international praise. Gisele was born in Brazil and emigrated as a child to the US, living as an undocumented immigrant for over a decade."

From: https://www.forgoodpgh.org/gisele-fetterman

[Groundhawg]

4. We cannot compromise our principles to look middle.

[Think. Again.]

7. I agree with that...

...and I believe Fetterman is standing with his principles (even if I don't agree with him about supporting netanyahu).

[Think. Again.]

9. You write:

" If the people who call themselves "progressive" are going around rooting for Hamas, then I'm not a "progressive" either."

For clarification, do you believe all Progressives are pro-hamas?