A Modern Politician with a 1970s Soul: My Take on John Fetterman

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   Sharlee01posted 7 days ago

   
   
   John Fetterman has always struck me as something of an enigma,  not because he is hard to understand, but because he doesn’t fit neatly into any of the political molds we’re used to seeing today. Before he became the senator we all recognize, he carved out a unique path. He earned a degree in finance from Albright College, went on to get an MBA from the University of Connecticut, and later chose public service over corporate life by pursuing a Master of Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School. From there, he devoted more than a decade to the struggling town of Braddock, Pennsylvania, trying to breathe life back into a place most politicians wouldn’t bother driving through. Love him or not, he’s put in the work.
   
   But what interests me most about Fetterman isn’t the résumé,  it’s the man who shows up in front of the camera, and sometimes even more so, the man who doesn’t care if the camera is there at all. He is blunt, unpolished at times, and refreshingly willing to say what he actually thinks. In that sense, he reminds me of the Democrats of old,  I’m talking about the Democrats of the 1970s, before the age of consultants, carefully choreographed talking points, and polished public relations. There’s a trace of that working-class, straight-from-the-gut mentality that once defined a large part of the party.
   
   To me, Fetterman feels like an interesting cocktail: part common sense, part old-school Democrat, part wildcard. He is outspoken and surprisingly unfiltered for someone in national office. And whether people agree with him or not, he rarely hides behind vague statements or political fog. I may not align with everything he says, but I find myself listening, really listening, because he communicates like a person, not a press release.
   
   I also get the sense that he has become more comfortable sharing his own views openly, especially lately. Maybe it’s because he’s seen enough political theatre to realize people crave something real. Or maybe he’s just being himself and the rest of us are finally noticing. In any case, I find him worth watching, if only because he refuses to be predictable.
   
   I wanted to start a conversation because I’m genuinely curious how others see him. Is he a bridge between the past and the present? A sign of where politics might be heading? Or simply a one-of-a-kind figure who doesn’t represent anyone but himself?
   
   I’d really like to hear your thoughts. What do you make of John Fetterman,  the man, the politician, the voice that doesn’t quite match the era he’s operating in? Jump in and share your perspective. I think he’s the kind of figure who becomes more interesting when we all compare notes.

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      Readmikenowposted 7 days agoin reply to this

      Shar,
      
      I agree...he is not someone who fits into any molds.
      
      He didn't ever have to get a job in the private sector because he has always had wealthy parents who supported him.  That is the reason he was able to live off the salary he got paid as mayor of Braddock is ...he had wealthy parents who supported him.  This is the reason he has been able to do so much in the public sector.
      
      That being said, I admire his courage to stand up to fellow democrats.  He has supported Israel when it wasn't popular in his party.  Fetterman has even supported President Donald Trump's position on some issues like the government shut down.  Let's be honest, the majority of his votes support democrats.  That is to be expected.
      
      If more democrats were like him they would be easier to work with when it came to getting important legislation signed.  He has what they call in DC "cross the isle appeal" it's rare, but I believe he does have it.

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         Sharlee01posted 7 days agoin reply to this

         Mike,   I actually agree with you, and I find myself feeling something similar about Fetterman. I know his background gives him advantages that most people don’t have, but honestly, that isn’t what stands out the most to me. What I appreciate is that he’s unique, and that is refreshing in a political world that’s become so scripted, cautious, and molded into group types. It reminds me of when we used to have leaders who didn’t fit a pre-approved template, people like JFK and Reagan, and yes, now Trump. Whether someone agrees with them or not, they were unafraid to step up to the plate and be themselves.

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      abwilliamsposted 7 days agoin reply to this

      Hi Shar,
      If I am being completely honest, initially I thought he was someone who had escaped the funny farm... and somehow managed to get himself elected! In time I learned of his stroke, and I felt bad for him as he struggled with thought process and finding his words.
      Over time, as his mind began to heal, he began to make sense. He utilizes common sense, something seriously  lacking in the Democratic Party! The Party would be wise to get behind a Fetterman over an AOC or Mamadani-type. If they don't --- their Party is sunk, and since many people vote Dem or die, we could all go down with them!
      
      Thanks for this interesting topic.

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         Sharlee01posted 7 days agoin reply to this

         Angie,   In that sense, I’ve come to admire how Fetterman handles himself. He seems genuinely unafraid to speak what appears to be his truth, even when it cuts against the grain of his own party. His willingness to support Israel when it wasn’t popular, or to back Trump’s position on issues like the shutdown, shows a kind of independence that’s incredibly rare today. It feels like he votes based on what he thinks is right, not just what the party machine demands.
         
         If more Democrats had that same ability to cross the aisle and break from the pack, I think Washington would be a lot more functional. You’re right — that kind of appeal is rare, but it’s exactly what this country could use more of.

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            Credence2posted 7 days agoin reply to this

            In these perilous times, all DINOs must be consigned to Jurassic Park. This is where I see Fetterman right now. He capitulates while Republicans wont concede an inch.

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               Sharlee01posted 6 days agoin reply to this

               Cred,   I actually feel that dismissing Fetterman as a “DINO” and sending him off to Jurassic Park is shortsighted. In these times, Democrats can’t survive on the far-left base alone, there simply isn’t enough of it to keep the party afloat, especially as many voters are exhausted by extremes on both sides. That’s exactly why someone like Fetterman might be a real force to contend with. He comes across as strong, grounded, and guided by common sense rather than rigid ideology. In many ways, he mirrors the appeal of a candidate who puts America first, yet he does so as a Democrat. That combination is rare, and it resonates with people who are hungry for authenticity, not something polished up and sold as “real.”
               
               Maybe not in 2028, but down the road I could see him becoming a serious contender. To me, his approach isn’t capitulation, it’s strategic awareness. If Democrats want to remain competitive, voices like his aren’t the problem; in fact, they may be the only ones keeping the party from sliding off the deep end.

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