There are lots of Democrats in Congress: several hundred of them, in fact. Many of them are to be deplored. A few — Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib come swimmingly to mind — are fifth columnists in America’s war of self-defense against the global jihad. And then there is Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania, a remarkable man who, when it comes to Israel, in the Democratic Party is at times a vox clamantis in deserto. At other times his voice is that of someone who demonstrates his absolute mental freedom to speak forthrightly in support of the Jewish state, which has made him a lonely man in his party, someone who, as Brahms’ motto (borrowed from his friend Joseph Joachim) puts it, is “frei aber einsam” — “free but lonely.”
He’s a curious fellow, often seen wearing his shorts and pullovers, a 6’8” apparition as he lopes along through the Senate Office Building. He wears shorts. He goes sockless. He wears hoodies. But he makes more sense on one matter than any of his colleagues wearing Ermenegildo Zegna suits and Canali ties. John Fetterman has consistently upheld the right of Israel to defend itself, using whatever means the IDF deems appropriate, and has vocally supported the embattled Jewish state more than any other senator from either party. On the walls just outside his office, he has posted photographs of the Israeli hostages. He has spoken out about the Trump administration’s willingness to negotiate with the masters of deception in Tehran over their nuclear program; he doesn’t think negotiations will do more than allow Tehran to stall for time, as it continues to race forward with its enrichment of uranium to a level of 60% purity, one step below weapons-grade. He thinks Trump’s negotiator Steve Witkoff should be called home, and supports the American military’s efforts against the Islamic Republic.
More on Senator Fetterman can be found here: “Fetterman: ‘Insane’ for Democrats to view Israel negatively,” by Sarah Davis, The Hill, April 10, 2026:
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), a fierce advocate for Israel, on Thursday slammed the increasing Democratic criticism of the country over its joint operations with the U.S. against Iran.
The lawmaker cited a Pew Research survey released this week, which found that 80 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents have a negative view of Israel.
“That’s insane. You know, that’s our special ally,” the Democratic senator told Fox News’s Jesse Watters on Thursday evening.
“That’s the only place in the region that has the kind of values in the kinds of way that we live and what we want here,” he continued. “As a Democrat, how is that possible that 8 out of 10 view Israel as a negative thing as Democrats?”…
“I think more Democrats should listen to me and say be on the right side of history and holding Iran accountable, and if you have to pick a side, pick our side, pick civilization, pick Israel,” Fetterman said.
And he affirmed his support for the U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, calling the effort “necessary.”…
Senator Fetterman is famed for wearing his hoodies, shorts, and sneakers even when at work, but to make up for it, he has the best-dressed mind of any Democrat in Congress.
Patton says
He should declare himself to be caucusing with the Republicans. Hoping there persuade Dimo-Craps of the rectitude of his position is a complete waste of time. They have become nothing more than a cross between Nazis and communist. In fact, an amalgam of evil, stupidity, and intellectual laziness. How 21st century American politics comes down to that is something that historians will someday look back over the last 15+ years and ponder. But if the Senator is waiting for his disgraceful party to come around to honesty, decency, and morality, he’s wasting his precious time. I’m sure we would not agree on everything politically but I do know he is a good and decent man. My guess is they will primary as soon as they can.
Michael says
Oh, are communists and Nazis different things? Could have fooled me.
Wellington says
Many months ago I wrote to Senator Fetterman and encouraged him to declare himself an Independent and thereafter caucus with the Republicans, just as Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine are Independents and caucus with the Democrats.
I additionally mentioned to him that were he to do what I suggested that then I was strongly of the conviction that the Republican Party in Pennsylvania would not run anyone against him in 2028 when he is up for re-election. As the life-long Pennsylvanian that I am, and even though I think the Senator too liberal on several issues, were he to do what I suggested I would definitely cast my vote for him as I believe literally millions of Pennsylvania Republicans and Independents (and even some Democrats) would also do.
Actually, were he to accord himself with what I outlined above, he would have power over and beyond the average Senator, being “above the clouds” and all that. Well, I at this point hope he does so but I think the likelihood still not a good bet. But, of course, a bad bet now and again pays off. Hope so here.
James Lincoln says
Wellington,
Very good strategy for Sen. Fetterman.
OLD GUY says
agree with that, I’d vote for him if I lived there.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
I think he’s headed in the same direction as Joe Manchin
Rick Gordon says
Fetterman has obviously been through some tough times personally. In spite of that, he came back from his medical crisis and has made ‘common sense’ a hallmark of his work. To me, it is remarkable that he is still in the Democrat Party – as he is clearly a centrist, not a progressive.
I salute his courage to debate traditional politics and work for the betterment of all Americans.
Cynthia says
He is an upstanding American who is more concerned about his country than his party. He’s an old school liberal like Bill Maher with a real moral compass.
I don’t know how anyone like this can be in today’s “progressive” Democratic Party.
somehistory says
He’s for the killing of the unborn. That is likely the *reason.*
abu taleb says
He has een more brain than most of Repubicans in Congress.
In other word, the US sucks eventhough it is still better than most European countries.
Taffy says
One of Fetterman’s problems is that he often does not dress the part of a US Senator, When he does, he is VERY presentable Unfortunately, many give more weight to the looks of the package than to its contents.