Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has issued a warning to Democrats regarding former President Donald Trump’s popularity in the state of Pennsylvania, urging them not to underestimate his influence on voters. Trump is going to be strong [in Pennsylvania], and we have to respect that,” Fetterman said during an appearance at the 2024 Atlantic Festival.
When asked about people who support Trump despite being “appalled by some of these things,” Fetterman acknowledged that there are individuals voting for him even though they disagree with his actions. He also expressed disapproval over the way some Democrats have discussed Trump’s legal troubles, stating that he believed the party should be more focused on providing second chances and not condemning people based on their past mistakes.
Fetterman further emphasized the strong support for Trump among Pennsylvania voters by highlighting the energy and anger on the ground in the state. He acknowledged that this phenomenon might not be explainable by science, but it is a real factor that needs to be taken into account. This sentiment is shared by Vice President Kamala Harris, who recently began claiming she never called to ban fracking despite having explicitly stated so during her 2019 presidential campaign.
Sen. Fetterman also weighed in on the issue of fracking, stating that he doesn’t believe it will be a defining issue in the upcoming election and that Democrats should focus on discussing Trump instead. His warning highlights the importance of understanding and respecting the dynamics at play within the electorate, especially in a critical swing state like Pennsylvania.