Senator John Fetterman said progressives claiming they will abandon President Joe Biden over his response to the war between Israel and Hamas is “the dumbest bullshit” he’s ever heard.
“This whole abandoning Biden thing — that’s the dumbest bullshit I’ve ever heard,” the Pennsylvania Democrat said in an interview with Shannon Bream on “Fox News Sunday.” “I mean, if you’re more likely to vote for a Democrat or be a Democrat, if you’re willing to turn your back on Joe Biden — then you’re helping by defecting Trump.”
The move underscores one of several other lingering issues that had put Biden’s reelection in jeopardy, even before a disastrous debate performance. Biden’s support among young people and progressives helped him win the presidency in 2020. But as the war in Gaza has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, many progressives have said they will abandon Biden in 2024 — and that was before Thursday night’s debate.
Fetterman, who has taken many progressive positions on other issues, has been a strong supporter of Israel since the Oct. 7 attack. He has drawn criticism from progressives and within his party for his strong commitment to Israel continuing the war until the hostages are home. . Fetterman just returned from a visit to Israel, where he said “it was an honor” to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Along with many other Democrats, Fetterman defended Biden as the Democratic nominee Sunday morning following his debate performance on Thursday. The Pennsylvania senator has had his own issues with his debate performances during his 2022 Senate campaign: Fetterman faced Republican candidate Mehmet Oz after suffering a stroke.
“We had a tough debate, and yet we managed to win. Now everyone was saying that — that was the end of my career, that was the end of this race and everyone predicted that I would lose by 2 points or more. And I defeated Oz by 5 points,” Fetterman said. “And that’s what I’m saying. It — it’s like one debate is not a career.”
He also highlighted the contrast between Biden and former President Donald Trump in their presidencies.
“This is a very strict choice. What kind of president do you want for the next four years?” Fetterman said. “Donald Trump is obsessed with revenge and has made it very clear that he is here to bring retribution. I don’t believe the presidency should ever be weaponized against the people in this America who disagree with you.”
