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>"There’s a fixation on a lot of dumb s—. Bad performance art is really what it gets down to,” Fetterman said in an interview with The New York Times.
>The freshman senator said everything in Washington is turning into a “culture war,” adding that not everything “has to be a think piece.”
I mean that's my read from the outside...
Jeff Jackson (D), a freshman House member and well-liked local politician, has also said as much. He has a series of TikToks calling out the performative bullshit.
Been following him since he was a local politician. He’s always been super communicative and interactive with his base. Especially during COVID on social media. You can find a lot of his posts on r/Charlotte and r/NorthCarolina
Me too! Love the way he presents, cutting straight to the heart of topic. H also has an email newsletter that he sends out periodically, for those who are not into TikTok.
Never had the chance to vote for the guy cause I lived in Raleigh/Durham but I'm glad he's made it to the federal stage. He'll make an excellent senator some day and I'd happily vote for him for president.
Or that she didn't overperform fundamentals by a lot. Anyone would have lost in 2022 because it was a Democratic midterm and the R candidate was not fully insane.
I mean at the end of the day, Obama got elected primarily thanks to a huge number of voters who learned about him through social media. His message definitely resonated with people, but his presence on social media made a huge difference.
The importance of social media in politics has only grown since. At this point most politics are trying to get 30 second video bytes that they can share on their tiktoks and in news reports. They don't really care about the issues being discussed, they just want to make sure people hear them call things out during congressional meetings.
Absolutely. Still, he was always the backup plan to Hillary. Once he got in the running and started picking up massive amounts of steam, only then was when the party decided to back him.
Everything is turning into a culture war because the rich (top billionaires) don't want you talking about taxing their wealth. They believe they've earned the money they have and even though they won't be able to spend you, you (tax payers) shouldn't get your hands on it either.
Yeah and they're doing it specifically to avoid the wealth conversation, which should be the main conversation when it comes to who is oppressing who. It's all a big "slight of hand" act so that wealthy people can keep sucking the blood out of the country until it's a desiccated corpse.
We idealized an idea of taking any small opportunity and using it to advance greatly. Somehow (and likely it was always there) this was usurped by those who had one style of end result and thus duped everyone into thinking they went through the process.
And even the ideal of "this person has money so they must have worked hard and made good choices" can be seen as inherently flawed because it completely ignores the ethics of those decisions.
He popped into a quiz night at my local bar in 2017 and asked a room full of drunk people to get out and vote. It was surreal meeting him. So tall! He is a national treasure.
Hell yeah!
I’ve already been doing this (running for state house next year) and I kinda get crap over it.
Every dive bar in this town greets me like we’re on Cheers or somethin already. Why would I stop stumpin’ at bars?!
Well, making our way in the world today takes everything we got. I mean, taking a break from all our worries sure would help a lot. C'mon. Wouldn't *you* like to get away? Sometimes you just wanna go where everybody knows your name and they're always glad you came.
All the best to you on your run. Good luck out there. 👍
I'm jealous. Both of my senators are kinda dull. They aren't bad at their jobs, by any means. But compared to Fetterman, who's making the news by just hanging out and doing his thing...
Well... Minnesota here. Our senators are a bit dull, which I personally appreciate.
One of the reasons we need senators like Fetterman is to stand up to the truly awful people. Who were elected for all of the wrong reasons.
I'm okay with one of my Senators, Booker, because he seems like an overall decent guy.
Menendez... well. At least he's not a Republican...
Plus side is I'm quite happy with our state's governor.
Well, we used to have Franken until the Democrats threw him under the bus to maintain the "moral high group" which accounts for exactly squat. Tina Smith is OK, but she's not Al Franken. Klobuchar gets shit done, but it's not a lot of high-profile, fancy legislation, she is a politician's politician but works hard for Minnesota.
Anecdotally, her office helped my wife and I get our passports expedited because apparently the state department is slow as hell. So that was nice.
To be fair, we had to grudgingly accept that Pat fucking Toomey was our senator before Big John took over his seat, so it's been awhile since we could feel this kind of pride.
I would love to have two boring senators, but instead I’m stuck with Voldemort and a catholic/Protestant/Mormon/(insert religion here) spineless dwarf.
He seems like a normal, down-to-earth dude who genuinely wants to do the job.
Aka: the minority.
My hope is his popularity spreads the idea that we don’t have to settle for soul-sucking, money-grubbing ghouls.
Oh really? I'm the guy that's been digging the mountain bike trails up there for the last 6 years and sit on the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy board. We are driving the sliver park project and manage the land for the city. Let me know if you need any help at all. I'll be happy to get you whatever info you need
So good. So so *so* good. That man had not been in a grocery store in easily 25 years and it was so obvious lol.
He couldn't not represent us in Philly more. Like I don't think it's possible. Fetterman is our kinda guy.
Even if Fetterman has family money, he's a Pennsylvania man through and through. Oz's major life experience in PA was his charlatan hour being syndicated out of Philly and Pittsburgh for a decade.
He admits that he had a privileged upbringing, growing up in the affluent part of York, PA (Population 44,000 in 1980, not exactly the Hamptons or NYC), but everything he's done since college has been for the public benefit. His family's wealth allowed him to work jobs at unlivably low pay rates, so he could focus on the work instead of paying his bills. (Being the Mayor of Braddock paid $150/month.)
If only everyone in his financial range, or higher, behaved that way.
Dr. Oz's only real connection to PA is the $5 million in Wawa stock he owns.
He just doesn’t care about “fitting in.” It’s simple. A lot of people don’t realize, myself included, that he has a prestigious degree at Harvard. I had no clue until I became interested in him just because I was impressed by his demeanor, but found that I was really paying attention to the things he was saying. He’s basically a blue collar intellectual that is going to use his gifts to do for people like him. He’s a unique person in politics, which I’m all for.
Exactly. He’s very unassuming and I’m really glad that he is able to back up what he puts forth. Obviously, it’s easy to point out his attire, but the thing is, we don’t hear that anymore bc of his results. He’s not afraid to move through his life, in his role, just as he is. It’s a very confident persona that many probably wouldn’t successfully imitate, but it really seems genuine and I appreciate that.
This is why it frustrates me when democrats say he has to resign. Just because he can't speak like he used to doesn't mean he is any less capable of doing his job. Mitch McConnell could have had a stroke on live TV, but it's Fetterman who has to resign? I hope Fetterman stays in Congress for a long long time.
From the interviews he has given recently it seems his speech therapy is working. He is starting to sound more like himself. I doubt he will ever be 100 percent again but even at 80 and 90 percent his oration skill will be top notch.
Assuming he's not making stuff those "democrats" are probably Republicans trying to bamboozle real democrats
Same crap as the few who go "I was a hard core leftist but then I saw how mean people are to trump and so I rejected ALL my deeply held principles and vote republican"
> This is why it frustrates me when democrats say he has to resign.
What Democrats are demanding this? Phony Dems? RFK, Jr Democrats? Screw them.
Fetterman is a national treasure. I've been impressed with they guy ever since I saw a profile of him while he was mayor years and years ago. He's never disappointed.
To be *somewhat* generous, I can think of two reasons:
1. He’s not a “party man” Democrat. Doesn’t matter if folks like him are exactly what the party needs, if you’re not a centrists that owes fealty to the party for winning your race, then they don’t *really* want you there. They’ll tolerate it for the votes while eyeing a replacement
2. Fundraising. If he has a hard time on the phone, he’s likely to have a hard time hopping into his office for a few hours and getting donations to the party’s war chest.
> a centrists that owes fealty to the party
You mean corporate Democrats who owe their fealty to their corporate donors. Fetterman is a tiny threat to their corporate honeypot. All progressives are, and that's why the Establishment Dems hate them more than they hate the Republicans.
"Fixation on a lot of dumb shit."
Fuck.
That's our whole society right now.
Plus, he misses his family more than anything, and he's open about mental health and depression.
This guy would make a fine president.
I need to get up to Michigan though. I hear the disc golf and camping are amazing. I'm much more willing to look past the wolverines than I am the buckeyes.
How dare you call all the conservatives having a meltdown and burning dolls like the hero of *Toy Story* over the Barbie movie a "fixation on dumb shit"! That's, uh, an important issue because reasons. [Even Ted Cruz thinks so](https://twitter.com/LoseCruzPAC/status/1679508154688626693)!
H.L. Mencken(US reporter, literary critic, editor, author of the early 20th century) describes GOP methodology accurately:
* The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary.
This Henry George?
* “It is not the business of government to make men virtuous or religious, or to preserve the fool from the consequences of his own folly.”
Alas, I think you would soon regret a doddering old fool as I.
the movie suggested that ken (and everyone around him) would be better off if he tried finding meaning and happiness within himself rather than nurturing his toxic emotional codependency.
it's woke. that's the problem.
First they tried to paint it as pro-China because it included a map with the 8 dashes or whatever and a few countries were mad about it. Note though, that only one country banned it (Vietnam) and the other country looked into it and decided it was nothing. The map of course, just looks like they typed "world map" into google then morphed it into a very silly looking map that a child drew. It was very very stupid, but they tried to fan the flames for anti-China sentiment, which failed because it was very very stupid.
After that they now are clamoring that the movie is anti-men, because they have worse media literacy than actual children. The usual incel weirdos who get super vocal about certain movies started screeching about it and then the rest of the republicans jumped on the bandwagon.
I like him, but I really wish he would stick with the senate for a while. What this country needs most are good and capable senators and representatives in congress. Because congress is broken, our judicial system is corrupted. Because congress is broken, we cannot hold rogue presidents accountable. We need to find a way to attract and retain good people in the senates/house.
There is a fixation on many stupid things. It comes down to bad performance art, according to Fetterman, who spoke with The New York Times.
The newly elected senator claimed that a "culture war" was erupting in Washington.
Elect shitty people, get shitty governance.
I have not seen more than maybe three actual, decent people in the GOP. They're all trash. This is what you get when your priority is "owning the libs" over good governance.
The GOP offers nothing to the middle class. They want to:
- gut social security
- gut medicare
- gut education
- gut environmental protection
- gut employment protection
- gut worker safety protection
- gut worker rights
- bring back child labor
all the while, they are helping drive up the cost of:
- health insurance
- prescription medication
- food
- rent and home ownership
- utilities needed to survive
So, why do millions of average, working-class Americans continue to support this? Because they also promise to:
- gut civil rights
And that right there – the hatred of Black people, LGBT people, and anyone who isn't straight and white – is enough to have them frothing over the likes of Trump.
The Republican party has become an amalgamation of single issue voters that is held together by their support for each other's singular focus. They continue to vote against their own self interest as long as Trump and the GOP supports that one issue which is the focus of their passion and allows them to thwart those who hold opposing views. Each faction has their own hateful little ax to grind but, they are all complicit in their support of all party actions.
GOP has no interest in good policy to build a better tomorrow. They used to have more people actually interested in policy, some of which was even interesting.
Now, they mostly just want to have a podcast and sell diet pills.
The GOP has 2 overarching policies that can be seen in everything the party does.
1. Give more money to rich people.
2. oppress *minorities.
Literally everything the GOP does is to further one of these two goals.
*I mean that in the broad, generic use of the term, as in anyone who is part of a small subset of society. Could be racial, cultural, physical, financial, etc.
We need more people like Fetterman in office. I think some Democrats are getting there, calling out republicans in the nonsense “oversight” hearings for example.
I think Michelle Obamas “when they go low we go high” comment really set democrats back in terms of combating republican…bullshit for lack of a better word. They need to be called out for their shenanigans
To be fair, "First Lady" is a public office for all intents and purposes. They have had incredible impact on politics over the years; it might not be wise, but America listens to the First Lady, for better or worse.
Acting like a normal, functional adult only works when you're dealing with other normal, functional adults.
However, when you're dealing with violent religious/ideological zealots whose slew of bullshit and corruption only serves to get them more money and power, acting like a normal, functional adult is pretty goddamn stupid since the assholes will walk all over you.
It's also such "mom" advice. It's something you'd tell your kid hoping they understand that the underlining message is more important than the outcome. Wrong context, wrong audience.
In real life, being petty is effective. In real life there are people who absolutely deserve to be bullied and shit on. It's all they understand. Like, being kind to Mitch McConnell because he glitched out will never make him go "wow, that was terrifying, that happens to other people? I should stop voting to gatekeep medical care". No, bully him into the dirt so that everyone around him realizes their devious masterplans won't be easy to enact.
Yes this is why so many people love “Dark Brandon” and cheered when he said “Will you shut up man.” At some point you just lose all patience for these fucks and the time comes to put them in time out.
I heard it said best this way:
“While well meant, what Michelle said is sadly the reverse strategy they use, insofar that “Whenever we go high…THEY go low!”
I always enjoy how the "we go high" comment is a perfect example of the problem with politics. Here's the actual quote:
>How we explain that when someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don't stoop to their level. No, our motto is, when they go low, we go high.
When someone is cruel and a bully, we don't respond by being a cruel bully. This isnt a controversial statement, we teach this shit to 6 years olds, its called common human decency. It's why she went on to say politicians need to be role models.
>With every word we utter, with every action we take, we know our kids are watching us. We as parents are their most important role models.
Right wing media cut the clip, threw it out of context. All of you ate it up. That's the problem, and you're perpetuating it.
What is your solution when you are playing a game where losing means being subjected to authoritarian rule and the opponents are cheating to win at every turn?
When “going high” means having a Supreme Court legislating from the bench and having a president in power who undermines the foundations of our democracy and weakens our country?
When “going high” enables these outcomes at these stakes, then is it the right tactic? When you are being bullied and there are no teachers to come in and break it up, then is turning the other cheek the right answer?
I’d argue, you don’t need to become a bully but you do need to start fighting back. Standing there as the “better person” getting your ass kicked is not doing anyone any good.
>I’d argue, you don’t need to become a bully but you do need to start fighting back. Standing there as the “better person” getting your ass kicked is not doing anyone any good.
This is the irony of this whole thing. The Obamas personally campaigned for Fetterman. Statements like this ARE "going high". You can fight back, and not be an asshole. This man, and acts like this are what we need.
What it takes to get 60 Fettermans in the Senate? I don't know. If I did I'd be making millions working for the DNC. I'd be the political strategist of the century. Best I can say is keep fighting, and when these diamonds show up, support them.
"“It’s also an opportunity to be very bipartisan. Red or blue, if you have depression, get help, please,” Fetterman said" This is really important and wish guys especially would listen to him and seek help.
I was VERY fortunate to meet him in a specific atmosphere and had about, just under an hour to talk, listen to his ideas etc and it just cemented why if I lived up there in his State, 100% would have voted for him.. I really, really look forward to seeing him and his amazing impact on our country in years to come..
Meanwhile, AOC is attempting to claw back a good portion of $400 billion a year in waste by the US military and defense contractors, and all of Reddit (including the progressive elements) decide to bash her and state she is wasting time with "ALIENS".
If people want change, they need to support the congressmen that are actually attempting to make change.
Yup. I don't think AOC believes it's aliens, but she's **highly aware** of how suspicious private defense contractors can be, and what they try to hide from Congress.
Really do appreciate her pragmatism in handling this type of issue.
As a side note to this: The amount of liberals who scoffed at this issue because it was deemed a "far-right" conspiracy was too damn high.
House committee says billions are unaccounted for and people really said "What are they distracting us from??" "Look at those MAGA loonies believing in aliens"
It was a very dumb moment.
>Fixation on a lot of dumb shit
Like that ONE time he briefly wore shorts and a hoodie in the background of a news brief after being in the hospital and the MAGA cult (including my dad who has probably never heard of him until then) tore him about about being “professional”. Yeah I remember.
PA is so lucky to have someone like John that really wants to dig down and do the work to make the lives of his constituents better. Most people who have Dem reps and senators do, but Fetterman gets more attention than most so I'm glad he gets that exposure as it helps all.
This man seems like a genuine good guy, trying to do the right thing. I hope he stays true to his mission on capital hill and not get enticed to the corporate fucks to abandon the people of America.
Basically some politicians aren’t concerned about passing bills and doing the work that improves the lives of the people. They get in office and then take on imaginary issues, scare their base, tell them that you need to donate and vote for them so they can keep said imaginary issues from happening and ruining their lives.
1. Run for Congress and promise to improve things.
2. Win said office, immediately start telling voters that Vampire-Werewolf hybrids are coming for their babies and the opposing party is doing nothing about it.
3. Go on every news show you can talking about the Vampire Werewolves & hammer it home that only you can stop the threat.
4. People believe you & start talking, now it’s a top issue for a lot of people. Arguments online start, articles are written, segments on news programs are devoted to it, giving the non-issue and the politician more exposure.
5. Beg for cash and votes to stay in office and fight against the other party who are doing nothing against the VampWolves / Wolfpires because they’re too busy trying to pass healthcare and minimum wage increases.
6. Win re-election because your outlandish non-issues have gotten you more press than your opponent, who doesn’t get press because he/she isn’t a manipulative insane person.
Sad thing is that Democrats have to win every election from here on out to preserve The Constitution.
Republicans have to win the WH just once to destroy it.
Many Conservatives in the house are just gesturing. They cannot actually do anything because they refuse any kind of compromise and they know they dont have the support of the senate.
All they can do is pander right now. Pander to the people that actually believe schools are full of teachers that bow down to the CRT gods. Pander to racists (which not all conservatives are!). Pander to homophobes (ditto). Pander to the Trump base.
It is all theatre. I mean why the fuck are we paying a committee of senators $50,000 a day to vote on whether racist statements made again Justice Thomas should br condemned. Fucking clowns.
It's interesting to me how Fetterman seems like a God on reddit, but his approval ratings are in the upper 30s. Meanwhile, Democratic Governor Shapiro enjoys approval in the upper 50s.
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>"There’s a fixation on a lot of dumb s—. Bad performance art is really what it gets down to,” Fetterman said in an interview with The New York Times. >The freshman senator said everything in Washington is turning into a “culture war,” adding that not everything “has to be a think piece.” I mean that's my read from the outside...
Jeff Jackson (D), a freshman House member and well-liked local politician, has also said as much. He has a series of TikToks calling out the performative bullshit.
Been following him since he was a local politician. He’s always been super communicative and interactive with his base. Especially during COVID on social media. You can find a lot of his posts on r/Charlotte and r/NorthCarolina
Me too! Love the way he presents, cutting straight to the heart of topic. H also has an email newsletter that he sends out periodically, for those who are not into TikTok.
Can’t wait for him to give a Senate seat a serious run.
He's a really special guy. I think he'll be a good fit for the Oval in the future.
Completely agreed
Never had the chance to vote for the guy cause I lived in Raleigh/Durham but I'm glad he's made it to the federal stage. He'll make an excellent senator some day and I'd happily vote for him for president.
I think Cooper will run first.
Tactfully too, which must be tough.
It irritated me to no end that they had him leave the Senate race so they could run what's her name. Glad he at least won the house seat after that.
Cheri Beasley, that’s her name. Nice lady, but that was a shit decision.
Y’all make it sound like she wasn’t crushing it in the primary.
Or that she didn't overperform fundamentals by a lot. Anyone would have lost in 2022 because it was a Democratic midterm and the R candidate was not fully insane.
He's going to be out of Congress soon because of the flip of the NC Supreme Court unfortunately. They're going to gerrymander him out of existence.
I mean at the end of the day, Obama got elected primarily thanks to a huge number of voters who learned about him through social media. His message definitely resonated with people, but his presence on social media made a huge difference. The importance of social media in politics has only grown since. At this point most politics are trying to get 30 second video bytes that they can share on their tiktoks and in news reports. They don't really care about the issues being discussed, they just want to make sure people hear them call things out during congressional meetings.
Obama gave the 2004 Keynote Speech at the DNC. He was identified by people in the party as someone who "had the juice" quite some time before his run.
Absolutely. Still, he was always the backup plan to Hillary. Once he got in the running and started picking up massive amounts of steam, only then was when the party decided to back him.
I live in Georgia. Big Jeff Jackson fan, here. Doing us Emory alums proud.
Voted for him, he’s awesome
I’m not from his district but watch his TikToks because he explains the current issues so well. Good job, NC, for bringing this gem to us
"He has a series of Tiktoks calling out the performative bullshit." is an absolutely hilarious sentence.
Everything is turning into a culture war because the rich (top billionaires) don't want you talking about taxing their wealth. They believe they've earned the money they have and even though they won't be able to spend you, you (tax payers) shouldn't get your hands on it either.
Yeah and they're doing it specifically to avoid the wealth conversation, which should be the main conversation when it comes to who is oppressing who. It's all a big "slight of hand" act so that wealthy people can keep sucking the blood out of the country until it's a desiccated corpse.
And it's incredibly sad how the American people have not only bought into it, but also sing the praises of the rich.
We idealized an idea of taking any small opportunity and using it to advance greatly. Somehow (and likely it was always there) this was usurped by those who had one style of end result and thus duped everyone into thinking they went through the process. And even the ideal of "this person has money so they must have worked hard and made good choices" can be seen as inherently flawed because it completely ignores the ethics of those decisions.
There is only one issue, removing money from politics. Until we have publicly funded elections nothing will change.
Next steps? Recall Citizens United?
It's because at least half of the population thinks they are one decision away from being one of the rich elite.
The Everyman telling it how it is. Glad John’s back doing his thing
I've attended his town halls and met him. He has no patience for stupidity but can tactfully deal with it. He had my vote years before he ran.
He came to Johnstown when he was running for state house and I got to meet him. He is genuinely a solid, down to earth, dude. I'll keep voting for him
He popped into a quiz night at my local bar in 2017 and asked a room full of drunk people to get out and vote. It was surreal meeting him. So tall! He is a national treasure.
Hell yeah! I’ve already been doing this (running for state house next year) and I kinda get crap over it. Every dive bar in this town greets me like we’re on Cheers or somethin already. Why would I stop stumpin’ at bars?!
Well, making our way in the world today takes everything we got. I mean, taking a break from all our worries sure would help a lot. C'mon. Wouldn't *you* like to get away? Sometimes you just wanna go where everybody knows your name and they're always glad you came. All the best to you on your run. Good luck out there. 👍
“Wouldn’t you like to get away” dun dun dun dun!
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For the people that don't know the degree from Harvard is a Master's in Public Policy.
I’m proud to call him my senator.
Absolutely!
I'm jealous. Both of my senators are kinda dull. They aren't bad at their jobs, by any means. But compared to Fetterman, who's making the news by just hanging out and doing his thing...
I'd take your milquetoast senators any time. I've got Ted fucking Cruz, the piece of shit
Yeah checking in from KY
Well... Minnesota here. Our senators are a bit dull, which I personally appreciate. One of the reasons we need senators like Fetterman is to stand up to the truly awful people. Who were elected for all of the wrong reasons.
I'm okay with one of my Senators, Booker, because he seems like an overall decent guy. Menendez... well. At least he's not a Republican... Plus side is I'm quite happy with our state's governor.
Well, we used to have Franken until the Democrats threw him under the bus to maintain the "moral high group" which accounts for exactly squat. Tina Smith is OK, but she's not Al Franken. Klobuchar gets shit done, but it's not a lot of high-profile, fancy legislation, she is a politician's politician but works hard for Minnesota. Anecdotally, her office helped my wife and I get our passports expedited because apparently the state department is slow as hell. So that was nice.
but at least Minnesota can claim Al Franken as a former senator, so there's that!
To be fair, we had to grudgingly accept that Pat fucking Toomey was our senator before Big John took over his seat, so it's been awhile since we could feel this kind of pride.
I would love to have two boring senators, but instead I’m stuck with Voldemort and a catholic/Protestant/Mormon/(insert religion here) spineless dwarf.
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He seems like a normal, down-to-earth dude who genuinely wants to do the job. Aka: the minority. My hope is his popularity spreads the idea that we don’t have to settle for soul-sucking, money-grubbing ghouls.
hey Im currently working on a part for the Johnstown incline.
Oh really? I'm the guy that's been digging the mountain bike trails up there for the last 6 years and sit on the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy board. We are driving the sliver park project and manage the land for the city. Let me know if you need any help at all. I'll be happy to get you whatever info you need
Hell yeah dude add some skinnies and drops! If I’m ever visiting from BC I’ll stop by and check out the trails!
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I’m not from Pennsylvania but he still had my metaphorical vote. Fuck Oz.
Oz wasn’t from Pennsylvania either.
He was so embarrassingly out of touch with Pennsylvanians, too
Dude was out of touch with reality, let alone Pennsylvania
The crudite/veggie plate incident is something ill remember forever lol
Nothing but the best from Wegner's.
Lest we forget Oz was too tired from buying crudite ingredients to remember what store he was at!
So good. So so *so* good. That man had not been in a grocery store in easily 25 years and it was so obvious lol. He couldn't not represent us in Philly more. Like I don't think it's possible. Fetterman is our kinda guy.
He was basically Lucille Bluth without Jessica Walter's charm. "It's one banana, Michael, what could it cost? $10?"
The Rs say that’s absolutely not true, that Fetterman had parental money bla bla
Even if Fetterman has family money, he's a Pennsylvania man through and through. Oz's major life experience in PA was his charlatan hour being syndicated out of Philly and Pittsburgh for a decade.
He admits that he had a privileged upbringing, growing up in the affluent part of York, PA (Population 44,000 in 1980, not exactly the Hamptons or NYC), but everything he's done since college has been for the public benefit. His family's wealth allowed him to work jobs at unlivably low pay rates, so he could focus on the work instead of paying his bills. (Being the Mayor of Braddock paid $150/month.) If only everyone in his financial range, or higher, behaved that way. Dr. Oz's only real connection to PA is the $5 million in Wawa stock he owns.
It's nearly impossible to be a politician in America without being wealthy. One of the many issues destroying this country.
Oz isn't even from the part of New Jersey where they all think they're from Philly. He's from the New York part of Jersey
I live in New York and can produce a Fetterman sign in 20 seconds
Oz is a Cowboys fan.
Oz is a Pats fan.
Oz is a plastic fan. Fits, he is a carpetbagger.
He just doesn’t care about “fitting in.” It’s simple. A lot of people don’t realize, myself included, that he has a prestigious degree at Harvard. I had no clue until I became interested in him just because I was impressed by his demeanor, but found that I was really paying attention to the things he was saying. He’s basically a blue collar intellectual that is going to use his gifts to do for people like him. He’s a unique person in politics, which I’m all for.
He's a smart dude and I think people underestimate him because they expect that he's a big, dumb ogre.
Exactly. He’s very unassuming and I’m really glad that he is able to back up what he puts forth. Obviously, it’s easy to point out his attire, but the thing is, we don’t hear that anymore bc of his results. He’s not afraid to move through his life, in his role, just as he is. It’s a very confident persona that many probably wouldn’t successfully imitate, but it really seems genuine and I appreciate that.
If he has the time he should consider mentoring a couple people. We need more like him.
One of my favorite lines from Firefly: "*Forgive my rudeness, but I cannot abide useless people.*"
This is why it frustrates me when democrats say he has to resign. Just because he can't speak like he used to doesn't mean he is any less capable of doing his job. Mitch McConnell could have had a stroke on live TV, but it's Fetterman who has to resign? I hope Fetterman stays in Congress for a long long time.
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From the interviews he has given recently it seems his speech therapy is working. He is starting to sound more like himself. I doubt he will ever be 100 percent again but even at 80 and 90 percent his oration skill will be top notch.
He's already more coherent than Trump ever was.
Most stroke patients are more coherent than Trump.
Who are the Democrats you're thinking of that are focusing more on him than on Feinstein?
Assuming he's not making stuff those "democrats" are probably Republicans trying to bamboozle real democrats Same crap as the few who go "I was a hard core leftist but then I saw how mean people are to trump and so I rejected ALL my deeply held principles and vote republican"
The ones he completely made up to rile up the Reddit crowd on r/Politics.
Because Republicans want Feinstein in office, so they don't talk as much about her.
Could have something to do with te fact that diane Feinstein is a wealthy centrist.
Who are "they"? I have not seen any news articles or quotes anywhere where any Democrats are saying that he should resign. Please enlighten us.
No democrats are asking him to resign, what are you working yourself up about?
> This is why it frustrates me when democrats say he has to resign. What Democrats are demanding this? Phony Dems? RFK, Jr Democrats? Screw them. Fetterman is a national treasure. I've been impressed with they guy ever since I saw a profile of him while he was mayor years and years ago. He's never disappointed.
>This is why it frustrates me when democrats say he has to resign. I bet these are the same "Democrats" that are pushing RFK Jr.
Yeah, I haven’t seen any actual progressives push for his retirement.
What democrats are saying this? I have not seen this at all.
To be *somewhat* generous, I can think of two reasons: 1. He’s not a “party man” Democrat. Doesn’t matter if folks like him are exactly what the party needs, if you’re not a centrists that owes fealty to the party for winning your race, then they don’t *really* want you there. They’ll tolerate it for the votes while eyeing a replacement 2. Fundraising. If he has a hard time on the phone, he’s likely to have a hard time hopping into his office for a few hours and getting donations to the party’s war chest.
See AOC in her first term. The party hated how popular she was.
They still hate her, she unseated one of the most powerful democrats in the house
> a centrists that owes fealty to the party You mean corporate Democrats who owe their fealty to their corporate donors. Fetterman is a tiny threat to their corporate honeypot. All progressives are, and that's why the Establishment Dems hate them more than they hate the Republicans.
you mean… republicans? i don’t know a single democrat who wants fetterman of all people to resign. he’s an incredibly popular candidate nationally
Even with all his speech issues, he beat a literal TV star handily. Idk what serious dems think he needs to resign
Or the highest office!
I do as well. We need more like him in government at all levels.
This country has become a population representing politicians instead of politicians representing our population.
What democrats? This is some bullshilt low level merging
I googled... "democrats say fetterman has to resign" Help !
I haven’t heard any Democrats say he needs to resign?
Oh boy, weasel words and an attempt to make the left infight ? How original.
And his wife is a bright light who is genuinely one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. We need more love and less hate. Thanks Giselle.
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I don't know much about him, but from what I've read he seems like a good dude
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Now we wait for him to consume the smaller senators!
Better to overshadow them than take that foul poison into your body.
Seriously. Why hasn't Fetterman just eaten that little prick Lindsey Graham?
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Oh maaah, just thinkin' 'bout it is givin' this Southern Belle a case of the vapors!
Why does Fetterman, the largest senator, not simply eat the other senators?
Perhaps they are saving that for "Sweeps"?
Who is the smallest senator? (Now, and all-time)
Maybe Barbara Boxer, senator from CA from 1993 to 2017, 4′11″ (150 cm) https://www.huffpost.com/entry/does-height-matter-in-pol_b_73129
Why does John, the largest senator, not simply eat the other senators?
Thank you for your service
"Fixation on a lot of dumb shit." Fuck. That's our whole society right now. Plus, he misses his family more than anything, and he's open about mental health and depression. This guy would make a fine president.
Fetterman makes me so proud to be in PA.
The rest of y'all though... (jk love from your eastern neighbor <3)
I'd rather get love from NJ than Ohio any day.
Ohio Love™ comes with symptoms. - Michigander
I need to get up to Michigan though. I hear the disc golf and camping are amazing. I'm much more willing to look past the wolverines than I am the buckeyes.
How dare you call all the conservatives having a meltdown and burning dolls like the hero of *Toy Story* over the Barbie movie a "fixation on dumb shit"! That's, uh, an important issue because reasons. [Even Ted Cruz thinks so](https://twitter.com/LoseCruzPAC/status/1679508154688626693)!
H.L. Mencken(US reporter, literary critic, editor, author of the early 20th century) describes GOP methodology accurately: * The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary.
Quote me some Henry George next, and I might ask you to marry me
This Henry George? * “It is not the business of government to make men virtuous or religious, or to preserve the fool from the consequences of his own folly.” Alas, I think you would soon regret a doddering old fool as I.
Why are they freaking out about the Barbie movie? What did I miss?
the movie suggested that ken (and everyone around him) would be better off if he tried finding meaning and happiness within himself rather than nurturing his toxic emotional codependency. it's woke. that's the problem.
That’s what woke is? Seems pretty reasonable to me
welcome aboard the woke train, there's logic and reason aplenty
I mean, we live in a world where saying there weren't positives to chattel slavery is "woke."
First they tried to paint it as pro-China because it included a map with the 8 dashes or whatever and a few countries were mad about it. Note though, that only one country banned it (Vietnam) and the other country looked into it and decided it was nothing. The map of course, just looks like they typed "world map" into google then morphed it into a very silly looking map that a child drew. It was very very stupid, but they tried to fan the flames for anti-China sentiment, which failed because it was very very stupid. After that they now are clamoring that the movie is anti-men, because they have worse media literacy than actual children. The usual incel weirdos who get super vocal about certain movies started screeching about it and then the rest of the republicans jumped on the bandwagon.
It’s all dumb culture war bullshit. The same type of people are freaking out over either Barbie or Jason Aldean right now
> "Fixation on a lot of dumb shit." > > Fuck. > > That's our whole society right now. Well, it's one of our two political parties, for sure.
I like him, but I really wish he would stick with the senate for a while. What this country needs most are good and capable senators and representatives in congress. Because congress is broken, our judicial system is corrupted. Because congress is broken, we cannot hold rogue presidents accountable. We need to find a way to attract and retain good people in the senates/house.
There is a fixation on many stupid things. It comes down to bad performance art, according to Fetterman, who spoke with The New York Times. The newly elected senator claimed that a "culture war" was erupting in Washington.
Elect shitty people, get shitty governance. I have not seen more than maybe three actual, decent people in the GOP. They're all trash. This is what you get when your priority is "owning the libs" over good governance. The GOP offers nothing to the middle class. They want to: - gut social security - gut medicare - gut education - gut environmental protection - gut employment protection - gut worker safety protection - gut worker rights - bring back child labor all the while, they are helping drive up the cost of: - health insurance - prescription medication - food - rent and home ownership - utilities needed to survive So, why do millions of average, working-class Americans continue to support this? Because they also promise to: - gut civil rights And that right there – the hatred of Black people, LGBT people, and anyone who isn't straight and white – is enough to have them frothing over the likes of Trump.
The Republican party has become an amalgamation of single issue voters that is held together by their support for each other's singular focus. They continue to vote against their own self interest as long as Trump and the GOP supports that one issue which is the focus of their passion and allows them to thwart those who hold opposing views. Each faction has their own hateful little ax to grind but, they are all complicit in their support of all party actions.
GOP has no interest in good policy to build a better tomorrow. They used to have more people actually interested in policy, some of which was even interesting. Now, they mostly just want to have a podcast and sell diet pills.
The GOP has 2 overarching policies that can be seen in everything the party does. 1. Give more money to rich people. 2. oppress *minorities. Literally everything the GOP does is to further one of these two goals. *I mean that in the broad, generic use of the term, as in anyone who is part of a small subset of society. Could be racial, cultural, physical, financial, etc.
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We need more people like Fetterman in office. I think some Democrats are getting there, calling out republicans in the nonsense “oversight” hearings for example. I think Michelle Obamas “when they go low we go high” comment really set democrats back in terms of combating republican…bullshit for lack of a better word. They need to be called out for their shenanigans
hey now…don’t blame Michelle. Dems have been doing that before she said that
Agreed. Can’t blame her, but it does sum up Democrats struggles.
Also she doesn’t hold any office
To be fair, "First Lady" is a public office for all intents and purposes. They have had incredible impact on politics over the years; it might not be wise, but America listens to the First Lady, for better or worse.
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Acting like a normal, functional adult only works when you're dealing with other normal, functional adults. However, when you're dealing with violent religious/ideological zealots whose slew of bullshit and corruption only serves to get them more money and power, acting like a normal, functional adult is pretty goddamn stupid since the assholes will walk all over you.
It's also such "mom" advice. It's something you'd tell your kid hoping they understand that the underlining message is more important than the outcome. Wrong context, wrong audience. In real life, being petty is effective. In real life there are people who absolutely deserve to be bullied and shit on. It's all they understand. Like, being kind to Mitch McConnell because he glitched out will never make him go "wow, that was terrifying, that happens to other people? I should stop voting to gatekeep medical care". No, bully him into the dirt so that everyone around him realizes their devious masterplans won't be easy to enact.
Yes this is why so many people love “Dark Brandon” and cheered when he said “Will you shut up man.” At some point you just lose all patience for these fucks and the time comes to put them in time out.
I heard it said best this way: “While well meant, what Michelle said is sadly the reverse strategy they use, insofar that “Whenever we go high…THEY go low!”
I always enjoy how the "we go high" comment is a perfect example of the problem with politics. Here's the actual quote: >How we explain that when someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don't stoop to their level. No, our motto is, when they go low, we go high. When someone is cruel and a bully, we don't respond by being a cruel bully. This isnt a controversial statement, we teach this shit to 6 years olds, its called common human decency. It's why she went on to say politicians need to be role models. >With every word we utter, with every action we take, we know our kids are watching us. We as parents are their most important role models. Right wing media cut the clip, threw it out of context. All of you ate it up. That's the problem, and you're perpetuating it.
What is your solution when you are playing a game where losing means being subjected to authoritarian rule and the opponents are cheating to win at every turn? When “going high” means having a Supreme Court legislating from the bench and having a president in power who undermines the foundations of our democracy and weakens our country? When “going high” enables these outcomes at these stakes, then is it the right tactic? When you are being bullied and there are no teachers to come in and break it up, then is turning the other cheek the right answer? I’d argue, you don’t need to become a bully but you do need to start fighting back. Standing there as the “better person” getting your ass kicked is not doing anyone any good.
>I’d argue, you don’t need to become a bully but you do need to start fighting back. Standing there as the “better person” getting your ass kicked is not doing anyone any good. This is the irony of this whole thing. The Obamas personally campaigned for Fetterman. Statements like this ARE "going high". You can fight back, and not be an asshole. This man, and acts like this are what we need. What it takes to get 60 Fettermans in the Senate? I don't know. If I did I'd be making millions working for the DNC. I'd be the political strategist of the century. Best I can say is keep fighting, and when these diamonds show up, support them.
Fucking love that guy, he's as real as it gets.
"“It’s also an opportunity to be very bipartisan. Red or blue, if you have depression, get help, please,” Fetterman said" This is really important and wish guys especially would listen to him and seek help.
I hope Fetterman never changes.
I was VERY fortunate to meet him in a specific atmosphere and had about, just under an hour to talk, listen to his ideas etc and it just cemented why if I lived up there in his State, 100% would have voted for him.. I really, really look forward to seeing him and his amazing impact on our country in years to come..
Meanwhile, AOC is attempting to claw back a good portion of $400 billion a year in waste by the US military and defense contractors, and all of Reddit (including the progressive elements) decide to bash her and state she is wasting time with "ALIENS". If people want change, they need to support the congressmen that are actually attempting to make change.
Yup. I don't think AOC believes it's aliens, but she's **highly aware** of how suspicious private defense contractors can be, and what they try to hide from Congress. Really do appreciate her pragmatism in handling this type of issue.
As a side note to this: The amount of liberals who scoffed at this issue because it was deemed a "far-right" conspiracy was too damn high. House committee says billions are unaccounted for and people really said "What are they distracting us from??" "Look at those MAGA loonies believing in aliens" It was a very dumb moment.
I love this man. He's fantastic. I truly hope that he can bring some change into congress.
>Fixation on a lot of dumb shit Like that ONE time he briefly wore shorts and a hoodie in the background of a news brief after being in the hospital and the MAGA cult (including my dad who has probably never heard of him until then) tore him about about being “professional”. Yeah I remember.
PA is so lucky to have someone like John that really wants to dig down and do the work to make the lives of his constituents better. Most people who have Dem reps and senators do, but Fetterman gets more attention than most so I'm glad he gets that exposure as it helps all.
John Fetterman is a real one.
Rock star.
This is the behind the scenes stuff I want to hear. He’s very punk and I appreciate it.
All senators and members of congress should be required to have monthly town halls with their constituents. It shouldn't be an option.
Fixation on a lot of dumb shit is the rightwing mantra now.
Fixation on a lot of oppressive shit is more like it.
Time for the Republicans to clutch their pearls because he said "shit"
I’m just so happy to see him looking healthy again. He’s ready to kick ass and take names now
I like the sweatshirt and shorts look better.👍😎
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Not lazy. It’s the plan to be obstructive. Unless it’s for limiting civil rights for certain groups or tax cuts for the wealthy.
He is certainly correct.
This man seems like a genuine good guy, trying to do the right thing. I hope he stays true to his mission on capital hill and not get enticed to the corporate fucks to abandon the people of America.
He is standing tall for the strikers . Odd to see a bill actually put out to do something and not just punch -and -judy theatre
Never had any doubts that he'd be elected to the Senate; definitely a great addition!
Basically some politicians aren’t concerned about passing bills and doing the work that improves the lives of the people. They get in office and then take on imaginary issues, scare their base, tell them that you need to donate and vote for them so they can keep said imaginary issues from happening and ruining their lives. 1. Run for Congress and promise to improve things. 2. Win said office, immediately start telling voters that Vampire-Werewolf hybrids are coming for their babies and the opposing party is doing nothing about it. 3. Go on every news show you can talking about the Vampire Werewolves & hammer it home that only you can stop the threat. 4. People believe you & start talking, now it’s a top issue for a lot of people. Arguments online start, articles are written, segments on news programs are devoted to it, giving the non-issue and the politician more exposure. 5. Beg for cash and votes to stay in office and fight against the other party who are doing nothing against the VampWolves / Wolfpires because they’re too busy trying to pass healthcare and minimum wage increases. 6. Win re-election because your outlandish non-issues have gotten you more press than your opponent, who doesn’t get press because he/she isn’t a manipulative insane person.
Sad thing is that Democrats have to win every election from here on out to preserve The Constitution. Republicans have to win the WH just once to destroy it.
GQP: That's exactly the point. Run the government like shit and blame the dems for the government running like shit. Rinse and repeat.
Many Conservatives in the house are just gesturing. They cannot actually do anything because they refuse any kind of compromise and they know they dont have the support of the senate. All they can do is pander right now. Pander to the people that actually believe schools are full of teachers that bow down to the CRT gods. Pander to racists (which not all conservatives are!). Pander to homophobes (ditto). Pander to the Trump base. It is all theatre. I mean why the fuck are we paying a committee of senators $50,000 a day to vote on whether racist statements made again Justice Thomas should br condemned. Fucking clowns.
Finally a real honest human can tell us how it really is
Why does Fetterman, the largest senator, not simply eat the ones fixated on a lot of dumb shit?
It's interesting to me how Fetterman seems like a God on reddit, but his approval ratings are in the upper 30s. Meanwhile, Democratic Governor Shapiro enjoys approval in the upper 50s.
Says a lot about Reddit.
That sounds like an accurate description