Democrats' Pennsylvania problem

The Hill -  Democrats once hailed Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) as the party’s poster child: A plain-spoken, hoodie-wearing populist who appealed not just to those in his party but to independents and even some Republicans.  Lately, though, some Democrats say he’s appealing to Republicans and turning his back on his party with remarks defending President Trump and attacking his party over their criticisms of the White House.

As the Pennsylvania senator increasingly clashes with progressives and breaks with his fellow Democrats on a string of issues, some in the party are comparing him to former Sen. Joe Manchin (W.Va.), another Democrat who some in the party say boosted Republicans while hurting his side. 

This week alone, Fetterman accused the Democratic base of becoming “increasingly anti-American.” And almost worse, Democrats say, he was the only Senate Democrat to oppose legislation that would stop the war in Iran. 

In a Wednesday appearance on Sean Hannity’s Fox News show, Fetterman cut into Democratic attacks on Trump’s remarks that he is not focused on the financial situations of Americans while negotiating with the Iranian government, arguing Trump’s comments were “clipped.”