Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) appears to be losing the backing he once had, especially following a detailed report that many in liberal circles are concerned about his health.
A lengthy piece released by New York Magazine delves into his situation after the severe stroke he experienced in May 2022. The report, titled “Assures He’s Healthy,” highlights sentiments from both past and current staff who express that they don’t recognize him anymore.
Initially celebrated as a progressive hero, Fetterman has also garnered attention from moderates and conservatives for his practical stances on various issues.
However, his vocal support for Israel after the October 7 Hamas attacks has led to protests from different factions of the Democratic Party, including some of his own team members.
Conservative critics are targeting the New York magazine article, seeing it as a “hit piece” that underscores Fetterman’s support for Israel, which has contributed to a perceived distancing from the Liberal Party that initially backed him during mid-2022.
Journalist Kara Swisher has pointed out the gravity of Fetterman’s stroke, reflecting on the unusual discussions around his cognitive health after a personal exchange with reporter Dasha Burns.
Swisher criticized Burns’ reporting while showing appreciation for Ben Terris’ approach in the New York magazine article, indicating that Terris portrayed the situation with empathy. Swisher shared her own experience, advocating for the importance of proper care and self-management in recovery.
Rebecca Traister, another writer for New York, has engaged with the topic on social media, mentioning Fetterman’s marital status in December, which implies public interests intertwining with politics.
Back in October 2022, Traister had praised Fetterman’s transparency regarding his health, contending that some press coverage was less rigorous compared to issues faced by other politicians.
In a more recent discussion, Traister expressed her belief in Fetterman’s abilities, noting he clearly understands everything despite needing extra time to process information audibly.
MSNBC’s Chris Hayes has raised concerns, commenting on unease surrounding Fetterman’s health, even though earlier in the campaign, he criticized the focus on such health-related issues as trivial.
Another MSNBC contributor remarked that the narrative surrounding Fetterman was disconcerting, especially given the mental health implications involved in high-stakes roles. Yet, they also acknowledged his presence in the Senate as a positive element.
Former chief of staff Adam Jentleson expressed worries about Fetterman’s capabilities, suggesting that it should be clear he may not be fit for Senate duties.
Mehdi Hasan highlighted messages from Jentleson, suggesting that all Senate Democrats, particularly Schumer, should be made aware of these concerns.
However, Hasan had previously posed a hypothetical about the perception of Fetterman’s ability to serve despite having a stroke, contrasting it with considerations given to other candidates.
Jill Filipovich, a liberal author, praised the latest report, raising ethical questions about mental health challenges in political roles while noting earlier coverage of Fetterman’s stroke as somewhat dismissive of the broader implications.
Filipovich pointed out the inconsistencies in how Republicans discuss Fetterman’s health in contrast to other politicians’ issues.
In a different take, Democrat activist Armand Domalewski expressed frustration over Fetterman needing to apologize for speech difficulties stemming from his health crisis, suggesting a double standard in political narratives.
Following the election win, Domalewski speculated that if Fetterman’s health continued to improve, he might be a future contender for higher office.
