DALLAS — Just eight weeks out from the midterm elections, Sen.John Fetterman, D-Pa., gave Republicans a boost on Wednesday night.
Fetterman appeared on video at the Republican midterm convention, praising Sen.Dave McCormick, R-Pa., and touting working with President Donald Trump.
“Yes, I’m a Democrat.Why am I here talking to you today? Because, well, I’m a common-sense Democrat,” Fetterman said in the video message.
“I’m always gong to stand with America.I’m always going to reject the extremes and socialism and the anti-American way of life.
Dave McCormick is the kind of senator that gets the job done, and he’s going to fight for Pennsylvania.I’m proud to count him as my friend.”Fetterman also pointed to a U.S.
Steel mill behind him, saying, “That’s exactly the kind of thing that we’ll work together, and we’ll work with President Trump, to fight and defend the steel way of life, right here in the Steel Valley.” McCormick then thanked Fetterman for his “friendship” and his “courage.” Reaction in the convention hall was muted for Fetterman’s message, with only a few attendees cheering.The crowd did give a loud applause when Fetterman concluded his message to introduce McCormick on stage.The appearance comes as Fetterman has built a close bipartisan relationship with McCormick.
The two even launched a joint fundraising committee together, which triggered a wave of Democratic criticism of Fetterman, who has toyed with leaving the party but has vowed not to.Former Fetterman aides who spoke with NBC News on Wednesday said the Democratic senator’s decision to appear at an event — nicknamed “Trumpapalooza” — to boost Republicans ahead of the critical midterm elections was beyond the pale.One former aide to the senator described the appearance as “pathetic” and said McCormick is “working him like dog.”“He is a troll so this kind of behavior makes sense, but to see it executed at this scale is really stunnin...