Shapiro and Fetterman at Odds
On a recent episode of “Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso,” Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was questioned about his lack of communication with Democratic Senator John Fetterman. This follows reports that Fetterman has been working against Shapiro’s interests, particularly when it comes to his rumored candidacy for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.
In his upcoming book, “Unfettered,” Fetterman pointed out that he and Shapiro have not been in touch and openly asked the governor why that is. Shapiro responded somewhat tersely, stating, “I don’t have any opinion with John. I don’t write about him in the book other than where the events take place or what they are about.” It wasn’t exactly a warm response.
Fragoso pushed back, reminding Shapiro that he is part of the equation too. Still, Shapiro insisted that Fetterman should be the one to elaborate on the situation. “John has a lot of questions to answer for the people of Pennsylvania,” Shapiro remarked, emphasizing that many residents are curious about Fetterman’s actions and motivations.
The governor downplayed the significance of their communication gap regarding state governance. He mentioned meetings with officials, suggesting that collaboration could still occur even without dialogue with Fetterman. “If I need to go to a United States senator for something, of course we’re going to go to his office and work with him,” Shapiro added, trying to put a positive spin on the matter. However, Fragoso pointed out that the lack of communication is, frankly, “not helpful” to the people of Pennsylvania.
Shapiro, while maintaining he was open to conversations with Fetterman, mentioned he would be clear about his willingness to engage. After all, Harris eventually chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate despite Shapiro being seen as a potential candidate.
Interestingly, Fetterman revealed in his book “107 Days” that Shapiro was among his top three candidates but ultimately passed due in part to perceived “unrealistic expectations.” On the other hand, Shapiro’s own book, “Where We Keep the Light,” hinted at possible disrespect stemming from his being Jewish. This adds another layer of complexity to their relationship.
Fetterman has often positioned himself apart from the party line, even visiting Trump’s Mar-a-Lago and voicing opinions on issues concerning Israel and Iran. This occasional divergence may explain some of the friction between him and other party members.
Additionally, when questioned about supporting Fetterman for a second Senate term, Shapiro didn’t give a straightforward answer, leaving some uncertainty in their political camaraderie. Fetterman has also hinted at a potential run for the presidency in 2028, while Shapiro himself is considered as a possible Democratic candidate for that same year.
