Mediaboss Marketing

It seems Republicans are now more open to partnering with Fetterman on policy because of his recent party-bucking.

It certainly makes it more appealing to want to work with him on things if you see this independent streak, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said of Fettermans recent remarks.

No grand partnerships have sprung up on legislation just yet. But the mere fact that Republicans view him in those terms is a statement on Fettermans political evolution.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), who frustrated many in his own party with his months-long blockade of military promotions, lauded Fetterman as someone who speaks his own mind and doesnt follow the party line. Tuberville added that its easier to talk, carry on a conversation, with a political opponent whos open-minded.

Many Senate Republicans are ready to take a new look at John Fetterman. | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Its unclear whether Fetterman can, or even wants to, leverage his new niche as a Democrat who Republicans can tolerate possibly even like into a productive role as a Senate dealmaker. Its a disappearing typecast: Sens. Mitt Romneys (R-Utah) and Joe Manchins (D-W.Va.) imminent retirements are hollowing out the chambers small but influential bloc of aisle-crossing negotiators, and that void could grow if Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) also passes on reelection.

But Fettermans voting record remains staunchly in line with the rest of his party. In a brief interview for this story, the first-term senator didnt express explicit interest in taking on more partnerships with the GOP but he didnt rule it out, either. Fetterman even argued that Republicans who have personally praised his recent remarks on the border and Israel shouldnt be so shocked.

Outside of Philadelphia, they have these gigantic billboards, where it was like, Fetterman = open border ... it just turns out that its all bullshit, Fetterman said in an interview, referring to Republicans 2022 campaign attacks on him. And I would have thought that professionals would have realized that most of it is all bullshit.

Just over a year ago, Senate Republicans were working hard to brand Fetterman as a younger version of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) an actual democratic socialist who was unfit for office. Over the past three months, however, Fetterman showed a side of his ideology that seemed to genuinely startle his GOP colleagues.

Not only did he vocally defend Israel in its war against Hamas, as Sanders and other liberal leaders suggested curbs on U.S. aid, Fetterman defended bipartisan talks on stricter border policies that slow the flow of migrants into the U.S. And he bucked his own leadership by calling for the expulsion of a fellow Democrat, indicted New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez.

Hes not in lockstep with the progressives in his party I dont know if hes had an epiphany or exactly whats going on, but [its] obviously gotten a lot of peoples attention, said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

In fact, Fetterman has repeatedly stressed he is not a progressive. Yet core elements of his political persona remain very much in line with the left: He wants to abolish the filibuster; he wants universal health care, though hes not embraced Sanders flagship Medicare for all slogan; he still dons hoodies in the staid Senate, reveling in the establishments alarm at his casual garb.

On the campaign trail, Fetterman even quipped that he might let down centrist-leaning Joe Manchin Democrats, nudging members of his party to vote like Democrats. When it comes to votes during his first year in office, hes stayed true to that watchword rarely straying from the party line.

Taking the man as a whole, many Senate Republicans are ready to take a new look at Fetterman.

I know from politics, my own race, that not everything people say about you is actually true, said Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), who added that Fetterman has said some smart things over the past few months, particularly about the border. The two first-term senators have worked together on rail safety legislation that Vance still hopes will pass this year.

Fetterman has also cosponsored several agriculture-focused bills alongside Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), who credited the Pennsylvanian for bucking Biden and everybody else on immigration. The administration has also been open to bipartisan border talks.

Even off the Hill, Fetterman has won praise from Republicans, including two current GOP Senate candidates. Former Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.), whos seeking a comeback in the upper chamber, has said he likes Fetterman. Dave McCormick, whos hoping to take on Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) next fall, said hes been surprised by Fetterman and that he thinks the Democrat has moral clarity on the border and Israel.

Still, Fettermans new GOP fans are also curbing their enthusiasm for him. Cramer argued that Fetterman leans liberal on most issues, saying that his views are largely left, in some cases very left. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said he appreciated Fetterman sticking to his guns on the border and Israel but pushed back on any suggestion that the Democrat is on an all-out independent streak.

Kennedy also indicated that Republicans shouldnt let Fettermans metamorphosis matter too much.

Just because somebody agrees or disagrees with you doesnt mean you ought to like or dislike them, he said. You should respect differences of opinion.

Read the original post:
Republicans are suddenly excited to work with John Fetterman - POLITICO - POLITICO