Fetterman's video, shot in front of a steel mill, is being called another sign of the growing rupture between the Pennsylvania senator and his own party.
“Yes, I'm a Democrat. Why am I here talking to you today? Because, well, I'm a common-sense Democrat. I'm always going to stand with America. I'm always going to reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life,” Fetterman said to the convention.
In his speech, the Democrat welcomed Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania) to the stage, saying that he was proud to call McCormick a friend despite being in different political parties.
Fetterman also shared they will work together with President Donald Trump “to fight and defend the steel way of life” in the Steel Valley, referring to Pittsburgh.
Diane Gramley, president of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania, said she was surprised Fetterman participated at the convention.
“To see him possibly leaving the Democrat party — I think they're going to actually try to kick him out. I would not be surprised if he's not primaried in 2028 when he's up for re-election, because they don't like him reaching across the aisle at all. So, where's he going to lead? I don't know,” Gramley says.
Fetterman has often gone his own way in the Senate, voting with Republicans to end last year's shutdown, supporting several of Trump's nominees, and opposing efforts to end the war in Iran.
He is also a strong supporter of Israel, which goes against the anti-Israel position most in his party are taking.
Meanwhile, CBS News reports that leaked messages between Fetterman and his staffers suggested that he appears “uninterested” in performing constituent service duties.
Fetterman claimed those text messages were taken out of context, and the story itself has been called a political hit piece to hurt him.
However, Reps. Chris Deluzio and Brendan Boyle (D-Pennsylvania) were quick to bash Fetterman over the allegations.
