Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) knew what was happening on the ground in Pennsylvania ahead of Election Day and warned his party about the influence of key figures like Elon Musk. In an October interview with The New York Times, Fetterman described Trump support in the battleground state as “astonishing” and predicted Musk’s backing would “really matter” in Pennsylvania.
"In some sense, he’s a bigger star than Trump," Fetterman argued. "Endorsements, they’re really not meaningful often, but this one is, I think. That has me concerned."
Of course, Fetterman was right about Pennsylvania this election cycle and is now warning those on the left about their attitude toward blue-collar men.
The Pennsylvania Democrat told The New York Times his party has struggled with that demographic and mocking them as “bros” (which he called out the Times for doing) will backfire.
You’re talking about the tech billionaire Elon Musk, but what’s the demographic in question?
Whether it’s the “bros,” that negative term that perhaps even your publication uses, as a negative — it’s the bros, or, you know, males, blue-collar guys, just people. It’s very rare, in my opinion, that surrogates have “fanboys.” Making fun of him or make light of it, you do that at your peril, because it is going to matter.
How do you think Democrats should be talking to bros, and should be talking to men, and should be talking to working-class voters?
Have a conversation. Have a conversation with anyone that’s willing to have an honest conversation. That’s always been the rule, and that’s what I’m going to continue. I’ve had conversations on Fox News, and they’ve played me straight. I’ve shown up on Newsmax, and they’ve played it straight. And Rogan. Rogan was great. He was cordial and open and warm. (NYT)
Fetterman also suggested Democrats stop freaking out over every single thing Trump does.
"We really need to pace ourselves, or, you know, for FFS, just grab a grip," he said. "Realize that this is how elections go. At least for the next two years, they’re going to have the opportunity to write the narrative and to drive the narrative."
He added: "And if you have a choice to freak out, you know, on the hour, then that’s your right. But I will not. I’m not that dude, and I’m not that Democrat. I’m going to pick my fights. If you freak out on everything, you lose any kind of relevance."