Staff Reports
John Fetterman, the Democratic senator from Pennsylvania, has taken a moment to reflect on the recent stunning defeats endured by the Democratic Party, and his conclusions are as straightforward as they are revealing. Fetterman believes that the misguided labeling of Donald Trump as a “fascist” severely undercut Kamala Harris’s campaign. Yes, crummy messaging strikes again! For those wondering, it turns out that calling a political opponent a “fascist” doesn’t exactly warm hearts and open wallets in swing states.
Fetterman pointed out that in the lead-up to the election, Vice President Harris and her team pounded the pavement with the fascism chatter. However, it seems that repeatedly brandishing such dramatic terminology didn’t resonate with the folks in swing states, as Trump eventually swooped in and claimed victory in all seven of them. According to Fetterman, while the words might play well in some left-leaning echo chambers, they don’t connect with the real, everyday lives of voters—people just don’t throw around the term “fascism” over coffee in middle America.
Sen. John Fetterman says Trump won the election because he protects the American way of life, and adds that Trump is not a fascist.
“A lot of Democrats, especially in my state, that I know and I happen to love people that are going to vote for Trump, and they are not fascists” pic.twitter.com/BX1dXMcXda
— Elizabeth Weibel (@elfaddis) December 22, 2024
The senator also highlighted something for his party to chew on: those people who voted for Trump in his home state should not be labeled as fascists. Fetterman has made it clear that he has love for the constituents who backed Trump, emphasizing that they are just regular voters trying to make sense of their options. It is tempting to think that when someone refers to the opposition in such outlandish terms, it might just make them look unhinged rather than enlightening. Who would’ve thought?!
His observations throw into stark relief the Democrat Party’s struggles with messaging. For Fetterman, the voters wanted a vision of America that they could rally behind—not a bombastic label for their candidate. He hinted that the showman Trump has a unique ability to engage audiences that the Democrats sorely lack. Perhaps that’s not surprising given his track record of showmanship and the undeniable entertainment factor he brings to the political arena. Fetterman’s praise for Trump’s ability to connect with voters reveals an interesting acknowledgment of a charismatic talent that left the Democrats floundering.
With Fetterman’s candid critique, it’s clear the Democrats may need to overhaul their strategy going into 2024; nothing short of a reevaluation of how they communicate with voters, particularly in battleground states, is in order. A good chuckle is in order as Democrats search for a way to reclaim their message. After all, it seems high time for them to recognize that throwing around jargon just doesn’t cut it anymore—especially when everyday Americans are looking for connection, not condemnation.
