John Fetterman Gaffes: 'I'm a Lifelong Republican'

Sunday, September 27, 2026

For months, Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has faced questions about whether he is planning to become a Republican. That speculation is sure to ratchet up following an accidental slip the senator made during a live interview in Texas on Saturday.

Posted by reinheitsgebot at 11:30 PM | 69 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

Alternate links: Google News | Twitter

From this weekend's Texas Tribune festival: Later in the evening, an audience question asked why Fetterman wouldn't become an independent. "Because I'm a lifelong Republican," he said, raising his hand to his head, embarrassed after he realized the slip.

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-- Aman Batheja (@amanbatheja.bsky.social) 6:03 PM Â· Sep 27, 2026

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Too bad the stroke didn't kill him.

#1 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-09-27 12:34 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

Politically speaking, a dead man walking.
This guy will flip to the GOP, perhaps helping them retain control of the Senate. But he will not be trusted by his new party, will not be given any money or good committee assignments, and will not be welcome in the Keystone State again.

Fettermans mind is gone, and the rest of him should go too ...

#2 | Posted by catdog at 2026-09-28 07:03 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

No ---- -------.

#3 | Posted by Nixon at 2026-09-28 07:45 AM | Reply

Ol' Fetterman did a pretty good acting job for awhile...took a page right out of pro wrestling (see Ole Anderson).

#4 | Posted by Angrydad at 2026-09-28 08:04 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

A good self administered test to see if you are an extremist.........look at how you react to a moderate in your own party.

#5 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 08:29 AM | Reply | Funny: 1

Fetterman is NOT a moderate. He's an extremist. Moderates do not run around with flags of other countries actively involved in genocide draped on their backs.

#6 | Posted by DarkVader at 2026-09-28 10:08 AM | Reply

(see Ole Anderson)

I always like Arn better.

#7 | Posted by Nixon at 2026-09-28 10:08 AM | Reply

Doesn't Fetterman have a significant Jewish base?

#8 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 11:08 AM | Reply

"Doesn't Fetterman have a significant Zionist base?"

FTFY.

Zionists, whether they are Jewish or Christian, love John "Golem from York" Fetterman because he puts Israeli genocide before American interests. And if you call him out on that, he'll imply that it's in America's best interest to keep Israeli interests ahead of America's.

"It's unfortunate when a Jew has to tell a non-Jew to stop supporting Israel." -Jon Stewart

#9 | Posted by pumpkinhead at 2026-09-28 11:21 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Fair enough.....but doesn't Fetterman have a lot of Zionists in his State?

We've been pandering to Israel for decades.....suddenly it's an extremist position?

Politicians have gotten away with this because most Americans don't care one way or the other....but that seems to be shifting today. It does matter. What atrocities Israel is committing does matter to more and more Americans.

but.....that's extremist....feels like it's more mainstream and moderate when it's someone from the Northeast.

#10 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 11:33 AM | Reply

We've been pandering to Israel for decades.....suddenly it's an extremist position?

At what point in the boiling process does the slowly warming water actually kill the frog?

#11 | Posted by pumpkinhead at 2026-09-28 11:37 AM | Reply

Again, fair enough and I'm not defending any of this on behalf of Fetterman.

But setting Israel aside......he's a moderate Democrat who sides with the republicans on some issues.....correct?

#12 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 11:44 AM | Reply

#12 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 11:44 AM | Reply | Flag:

Like a Manchin or Sinema.

The clowns here can't deal with anything but complete partisan chaos. Or they get the vapors.

#13 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2026-09-28 11:48 AM | Reply

"Overall Alignment: According to legislative trackers and Fetterman himself, he votes with fellow Democrats roughly 91% of the time.

Republican Crossovers: He has sided with Republicans on specific high-profile issues, including government funding bills to avert shutdowns, certain cabinet nominees (such as voting to confirm Pam Bondi for attorney general), and specific foreign policy/war powers votes."

#14 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-09-28 11:51 AM | Reply

It makes me think of Talarico. If he'd abstained from a few destined to go nowhere performative votes, he'd be crushing Paxton by +10 or higher.

#15 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-09-28 11:52 AM | Reply

LOL.....a lot of people want to be an extremist.....they just don't want to be called one.

Kind of like a racist, I guess.

#16 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 12:05 PM | Reply

Are performative votes they knew have zero chance of passing extremist? In either party? Or is it just theater to win a primary?

#17 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-09-28 12:24 PM | Reply

m"But setting Israel aside...".

Aside from the carnivorous, cocaine-snorting grizzly bear that rampaged daily it was an unremarkable and peaceful forest...

Fetterman is a uniparty hack with eccentric dress habits. Nothing more. Like the preppy kid at the punk rock show standing at back with the trick safety pin through his nose. He's a gimmick that votes with what's best for the ruling elites.

"he's a moderate Democrat who sides with the republicans on some issues..."

For 96% of the day, Heinrich was a peaceful and mild-mannered man. His daily routine consisted of breakfast at home and 3 hours of tedious, bureaucratic paperwork before lunchtime. At 5:15 he was back home with his family sitting around the parlor stove and talking of the days happenings.
He only ran the crematorium at Buchenwald from 2-2:45 but it was just to cover coffee and cigar breaks and only a small amount of smoke and ash rose into the air on his mostly uneventful watch.

#18 | Posted by pumpkinhead at 2026-09-28 12:27 PM | Reply

Woooah there. Have you not followed this forum? You're not allowed to criticize how he dresses. That's just a hack Republican attack with no substance =P

#19 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-09-28 12:33 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

he's a moderate Democrat who sides with the republicans on some issues.....correct?

#12 | POSTED BY EBERLY

Siding with Trumpified Republicans on anything ATM does not make him a "moderate". But that's the game he is playing. He is trying to position himself as another Manchin. He wants to try and be a "kingmaker" and be the one holdout if the midterms are not a "shellacking" as expected.

Whether U.S. Senator John Fetterman's (D-PA) crossovers with Republicans are still considered "moderate" depends heavily on how the center of gravity in American politics is defined.

I don't consider him to be moderate at all.

Fetterman has moved way past centrism into actively undercutting core Democratic opposition to the GOP agenda. Because of that Fetterman now enjoys high approval ratings among Pennsylvania Republicans, his support among registered Democrats has plummeted.

I wish him luck with that plan. I'd certainly would never vote for the guy and do not support or appreciate him constantly undercutting Dems at this critical time in American history.

#20 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-09-28 12:40 PM | Reply

LOL.....this place doesn't disappoint.

The gymnastics people will do in order to avoid what's right in front of their face is hilarious.

#21 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 12:53 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Fetterman bucks party again, votes against Iran War Powers resolution

www.cbs19news.com

Lol

#22 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2026-09-28 12:57 PM | Reply

The clowns here can't deal with anything but complete partisan chaos.
#13 | POSTED BY LFTHNDTURDS

Says the moron voting for Paxton because Trump told him to.

You morons coined the term RINO for republicans who dared defy the cult.

But how dare democrats be upset Fetterman continues to vote with republicans?

Right?

Hypocrite.

#23 | Posted by Clownshack at 2026-09-28 01:07 PM | Reply

he'd be crushing Paxton by +10 or higher.
#15 | POSTED BY SITZKRIEG

How dare he stand up for his beliefs.

He should just shut up and follow in the steps of corporate democrats.

Because they're doing so well nationally.

They must be. Because the DNC keeps backing the corporate democrats in the primaries, only to watch them lose the the progressive, DSA candidate.

The Democratic Party is changing. We're not Clinton's party anymore.

#24 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 01:34 PM | Reply

Fetterman Secret Israel Handler EXPOSED 13:12 176K views 4 months ago Breaking Points

#25 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2026-09-28 01:40 PM | Reply

How dare he stand up for his beliefs.

#24 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 01:34 PM | Reply | Flag:

Yes, the pressing need for children to get gender affirming care without parental consent.

Literally the only talking point Paxton fans have this election.

#26 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-09-28 01:47 PM | Reply

and if we lose, it's because of a performative vote that never had any chance of passing whatsoever, and never needed to be brought up in the Tx house.

#27 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-09-28 01:50 PM | Reply

the pressing need for children to get gender affirming care without parental consent.
#26 | POSTED BY SITZKRIEG

Why are you lying?

From Google AI:

James Talarico has stated that medical decisions for minors should be made in consultation with their parents and doctors, rather than politicians, and there is no record or source indicating he supports children receiving gender-affirming care without parental consent

#28 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 01:55 PM | Reply

Literally the only talking point Paxton fans have this election.
#26 | POSTED BY SITZKRIEG

Republicans are great at lying.

Let me guess, you thought the Haitians were eating cats and dogs.

"If only Haitians would stop eating cats and dogs, it's literally the only talking point republicans have this election."
-Sitz

#29 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 02:06 PM | Reply

Texas SB14, voted against.

Clown, when's the last time any candidate you voted for won an election?

#30 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-09-28 02:07 PM | Reply

Literally the only talking point Paxton fans have this election.

#26 | POSTED BY SITZKRIEG

And it's literally a lie.

So all Paxton fans have are lies?

I see nothing has really changed in Texas.

Yet.

#31 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-09-28 02:11 PM | Reply

While his historical voting record reflects consistent opposition to state-level transgender restrictions, Talarico has adapted his platforms during his 2026 campaign against Republican Ken Paxton:

National Minor Surgery Ban: According to reports by The National Desk, Talarico clarified in mid-2026 that he opposes gender-reassignment surgeries for minors and stated he would "absolutely" vote for a national ban on such surgeries if elected to the U.S. Senate.

Transgender Sports Restrictions: In September 2026, The Texas Tribune reported that Talarico reversed his previous stance on athletics, explicitly stating that he would oppose transgender athletes playing in girls' sports "if it risks safety or fairness."

#32 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-09-28 02:17 PM | Reply

Flip flop voting on top of it.

#33 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-09-28 02:17 PM | Reply

The only thing they have against him is a complete reverse in what he voted for previously.

The only thing we have against Paxton is who he is as a person.

yeah, it's that cynical and sad.

#34 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-09-28 02:17 PM | Reply

Now go ahead and lynch Talarico for aligning with Republicans like this thread is doing for Fetterman with his 8% Republican voting.

#35 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-09-28 02:18 PM | Reply | Funny: 1 | Newsworthy 1

Texas SB14, voted against.

And?

Are you implying before this law was passed children could get gender affirming treatment without parental consent?

Because if you are, you're wrong, again.

Google AI:

"children in Texas were not allowed to receive medical gender-affirming care without parental consent before Senate Bill 14. Under Texas law and standard medical practices prior to the 2023 ban, any medical treatment for minors - including puberty blockers and hormone therapy - required the explicit consent and involvement of a parent or legal guardian. Minors could not independently consent to prescription medical care or surgical procedures."

Clown, when's the last time any candidate you voted for won an election?
#30 | POSTED BY SITZKRIEG

Sitz, are you able to post anything without it being a lie?

Do you even know what the hell you're talking about?

Ever?

Stick to things you seem more educated about, like guns and bullets.

#36 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 02:23 PM | Reply

-Now go ahead and lynch Talarico for aligning with Republicans

If he wins, they will soon enough.

They won't accept he's a democrat from Texas. And that his constituents are........Texans.

Just like every other moderate Democrat in the senate.

Clown is going on about his "beliefs"...as if he knows a goddam thing what the man actually believes.

#37 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 02:25 PM | Reply

I used to think it was republicans who were idiots.

But democrats and independents are proving themselves morons as well.

Our government is run by pedophiles, criminals and rapists.

Our educational institutions are protecting rapists.

Morons are focusing on the 1% of society who identify as transgender.

#38 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 02:28 PM | Reply

Found the jill stein voter.

#39 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-09-28 02:29 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Clown is going on about his "beliefs"...as if he knows a goddam thing what the man actually believes.
#37 | POSTED BY EBERLY

Which post are you referring to?

You poor thing.

#40 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 02:29 PM | Reply

Now go ahead and lynch Talarico for aligning with Republicans
#35 | POSTED BY SITZKRIEG

Like you're attempting to do?

Idiot.

#41 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 02:30 PM | Reply

"Talarico wants to transition your children!"
- Sitz

"Stop lynching Talarico!"
- also Sitz

#42 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 02:31 PM | Reply

"How dare he stand up for his beliefs."

Should Talarico win, you'll learn about his beliefs and form an educated opinion of them once he's had a chance to cast some votes as a senator.

But you won't learn about them in a campaign for that office.

#43 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 02:32 PM | Reply | Funny: 1 | Newsworthy 1

Eberly loves my attention.

So he has to lie to receive it.

#44 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 02:32 PM | Reply

Democrats were hopeful as could be about getting Fetterman into office.

Look where we are now.....

#45 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 02:33 PM | Reply

"Should Talarico win, you'll learn about his beliefs and form an educated opinion of them once he's had a chance to cast some votes as a senator."

Thank you Captain Obvious.

Let's see him win first.

#46 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-09-28 02:34 PM | Reply

Clowns never seen a single Texas campaign commercial this season, but Talarico already fails his purity test like Fetterman.

Sad, over here we're donating to Talarico, multiple times, even though I won't be in this state much longer and get to move to bluer pastures.

#47 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-09-28 02:34 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

"How dare he stand up for his beliefs."

"Ohh! Stop going on about his beliefs!"
- Eberly.

Hilarious.

How do my ankles taste? Delicious? They must.

#48 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 02:34 PM | Reply

-How do my ankles taste?

Is that what Talarico says in the returned fan mail that he rejects?

Sorry....I just thought I point out to you that you don't really know what the man believes.

#49 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 02:37 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

you don't really know what the man believes.

And?

You're so desperate to have a point you have to take something I wrote out of context in order to be offended.

So sad.

#50 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 02:48 PM | Reply

offended?

please....stop assigning your own emotional instability to others.

well...just not me. I don't care if you assign it to anyone else.

If you want to be optimistic, then please...feel free. I don't have the power to take it away.

You might remember that when start conversations like this one.....

#51 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 02:52 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Clowns never seen a single Texas campaign commercial this season,

I've seen plenty of Talarico's speeches on YouTube, instagram and here on the DR when Corky posts about him.

I find him to be a good speaker and have a good message.

Could he turn into someone else should he win the election?

Possibly. We'll have to see what happens.

I don't see the comparison to Fetterman. It mostly reads like the people making it are either desperate to save face for Fetterman or looking to tarnish Talarico.

Meanwhile, Paxton would going to be a horrible senator who would aid to the continued decline of America.

Best of luck America.

#52 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 02:54 PM | Reply

as if he knows a goddam thing what the man actually believes.
#37 | POSTED BY EBERLY

You're so offended.

It's hilarious.

#53 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 02:55 PM | Reply

I cursed. That's on me.

That suggests it matters to me enough to be offended or happy or anything really.

sorry for the confusion.

#54 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 02:59 PM | Reply

I wasn't claiming to know his beliefs.

I was pointing out that Talarico speaking to his beliefs and voting accordingly is commendable.

Basically, you read one sentence out of context and commented.

Because you read: "Posted by ClownShack"

#55 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 03:06 PM | Reply

Either way.

Fetterman has proven himself to be more loyal to Trump and Netanyahu than to America.

Him claiming to be a Republican until he was corrected wasn't a gaffe, it was an admission.

#56 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 03:08 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Clown, when's the last time any candidate you voted for won an election?
#30 | Posted by sitzkrieg

At one time in my life, that would have been the mosquito control officer.

#57 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2026-09-28 03:16 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

-Basically, you read one sentence out of context and commented.

that puts me top of the class here.

some folks here, including tards like you, read dozens of sentences out of context and comment....all on a single thread.

I get held to a higher standard and it should be that way.

You? well...you've been riding the short bus forever.

#58 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 03:16 PM | Reply

including tards like you

Whatever you need to believe to feel better about yourself, I fully endorse.

You need a win today and I'm here to help you feel like you got one.

Way to go, champ!

#59 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 03:21 PM | Reply

You gotta let a few democrats stray from party occasionally in exchange for them holding a seat that could otherwise be occupied by a republican.

That's my point.

Stop being offended at the notion of calling them a moderate.

Everyone here commenting on it is doing just that.

I guess I have to ask....is it possible for a US senator who's a member of the Democratic party to be a moderate?

Possible? Permitted?

#60 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 03:26 PM | Reply

Fetterman will have to see how people in Pennsylvania react to his voting record.

The things he's voting in favor of aren't, in my opinion, in America's best interest.

We'll see how it all shakes out.

I bet there's an excited democrat looking to challenge him for his seat.

#61 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 03:45 PM | Reply

I guess I have to ask....is it possible for a US senator who's a member of the Democratic party to be a moderate?

Blah blah blah ... he is not a "moderate". Sorry pal. You are not going to normalize this Trumpified hateful nonsense no matter how much you try.

The center has moved so far to the right. There are no real "moderates" anymore. The traditional political center in Washington has effectively collapsed due to Trumpy's intentional chaos and division and asymmetric polarization.

So now I guess I have to ask....is it possible for a US senator who's a member of the Republican party to be a moderate? Without getting primaried by his own party?

I think we still have a few that have survived the maga purge. .

We will see how many are left after the mid terms. Accountability is coming. It will be painful.

#62 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-09-28 04:00 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"There are no real "moderates" anymore."

There is the answer you were begging to give me.

Sorry Pal. you're not going to be able to give it context to justify this complete lack of tolerance.

It's not Trump's fault you lack any sense nor any tolerance for a different opinion.

But.....when I give you an action figure from Star Wars to play with but you believe you're holding a Barbie Doll.....then we're going with it being a Barbie Doll.

You're waaaaaaaaay too thin skinned or mature to argue otherwise.

"is it possible for a US senator who's a member of the Republican party to be a moderate?"

finally, a sane and reasonable question.

Collins and Murkowski aren't moderates?

#63 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 04:06 PM | Reply

Fetterman proving that brain damage turns one into a Republican. He was a lifelong Democrat until the stroke, now not so much. What's the difference? Brain damage.

#64 | Posted by _Gunslinger_ at 2026-09-28 04:26 PM | Reply

Yet another example of performing gymnastics to ignore the obvious reality.

A relatively new senator from a swing state (hint...the other senator is a republican....)

But no.....it's not that. It's that he had stroke.

LOL

#65 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 04:30 PM | Reply

Fetterman is a slob and I've always thought so.

Christ, even Mitch McConnell wears a suit.

#66 | Posted by horstngraben at 2026-09-28 04:39 PM | Reply

Collins and Murkowski aren't moderates?

Not based on their voting records.

They're usually holdouts until republicans sweeten the deal for them.

I'd consider them opportunists.

John Kasich was more a moderate. He dared speak out against Trump. Wonder where he is now.

#67 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-09-28 05:28 PM | Reply

Yeah, they are senators. They can hold up their party....that's one of the benefits of being a moderate in the senate. It's harder to primary a senator.

They're ALL opportunists.

#68 | Posted by eberly at 2026-09-28 05:33 PM | Reply

69!!!!!!!!!!!!

#69 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2026-09-28 05:48 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1