The long-running political clash between Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has flared up again.
This latest dispute centers on Sanders’ expanding influence in Democratic primaries and the momentum behind another progressive candidate aligned with the veteran socialist senator.
The new flashpoint followed the victory of Sanders-backed progressive Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, a significant win for the party’s left flank. The result also reignited criticism from Fetterman, who has frequently cautioned that progressive nominees could jeopardize competitive Senate seats.
In a heated Wednesday night interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Fetterman was pressed on why he seems to be among the few Democrats willing to publicly challenge the rising clout of the progressive movement.
The Pennsylvania Democrat answered by launching a sharp broadside against Sanders and his electoral record.
‘I’d just like to remind everybody watching right now that Bernie Sanders will never represent any more than about 640,000 people in Vermont,’ Fetterman said.
‘That’s all he’s ever done, and he ever will do. He’s never won an actual competitive election.’
Fetterman then shifted his attack to Sanders’ frequent guidance on how Democrats should approach winning elections.
Speaking on Fox News Wednesday night, Fetterman questioned why members of the DSA don’t form their own political party instead of operating within the Democratic Party, saying voters should be more aware of the individuals and movements influencing its direction
Sanders criticized Fetterman’s standing among Pennsylvania Democrats, saying the senator’s views reflect only a 19 percent of the party’s voters in the state
‘Stop giving me lectures on how to win,’ Fetterman said.
‘Bernie’s not flipping seats. He is helping install volatile and dangerous kinds of candidates and put Democratic seats at risk.’
‘I’ve flipped seats. Now he’s never done that thing,’ he added. ‘I’m tired of his lectures overall.’
The Pennsylvania Democrat also questioned why members of the Democratic Socialists of America movement continue to operate within the Democratic Party instead of creating their own political organization.
‘Why can’t the DSA people… they should just run as their own party?’ Fetterman said, arguing that voters should pay closer attention to who is shaping the party’s future.
Sanders had taken aim at Fetterman days earlier, accusing the Pennsylvania senator of being out of tune with Democratic voters.
Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Sanders criticized Fetterman’s popularity among Pennsylvania Democrats and pointed to disagreements between the two senators on issues including Israel.
‘My response to Fetterman is, last time I saw it, he was reflecting the views of about 19 percent of the Democrats in the state of Pennsylvania,’ Sanders said.
‘I think probably lower than any other member of the Democratic Senate,’ he added.
‘Fetterman does his thing, and I think, on Israel and many other issues, is way out of touch with the people of America.’
The latest clash is part of a broader battle over Sanders’ influence in Democratic primaries — and his push to elect a new generation of progressive candidates.
Sanders-backed progressive Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed defeated Representative Haley Stevens by fewer than 15,000 votes in Michigan’s Democratic primary, winning by less than one percentage point
Sanders’ biggest victory so far came in Michigan, where his endorsed El-Sayed defeated a crowded field to win the Democratic Senate nomination.
The victory gave Sanders a major boost and intensified the debate over whether the party should embrace a more progressive direction.
Fetterman, however, argues Sanders is backing candidates who could jeopardize Democratic chances in competitive races.
The senator has repeatedly pointed to Sanders’ endorsement of former Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, whose campaign collapsed after allegations surfaced and who later withdrew from the race.
Fetterman accused Sanders of supporting Platner despite warning signs surrounding the candidate.
‘You were the carnival barker for an accused rapist,’ Fetterman said of Sanders to Semafor last week.
‘You should have taken my advice, since you and P-Hustle blew up the Maine race. Take responsibility and apologize.’
Sanders defended his support for Platner on Meet the Press earlier this week, arguing the candidate had run a strong campaign before leaving the race.
‘Well, you know, it’s easy to be a Monday morning quarterback,’ Sanders said.
‘Platner ran a very strong campaign and, in fact, many of the issues that he’s raised are resonating all over this country.’
‘A woman made very serious allegations against him, he withdrew from the race, period,’ Sanders added.
Sanders is also backing James Talarico in Texas’ Democratic Senate race, continuing his effort to elevate candidates focused on economic populism, healthcare reform and a more aggressive challenge to Republican policies.
