In a recent interview with The New York Times, Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, expressed his frustration with the reaction of his party following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory earlier this month. Fetterman criticized the Democrats for their excessive emotional responses, suggesting that such behavior only strengthens Trump and diminishes the relevance of liberal voices.
“We’re not even at Thanksgiving, and Democrats just can’t stop losing our minds every fifteen minutes. We really need to pace ourselves, or, you know, FFS [for f—‘s sake], just grab a grip,” Fetterman remarked, emphasizing the need for a more measured approach.
When asked if Democratic leaders should conduct a thorough analysis of their recent electoral losses, Fetterman advised patience. “Realize that this is how elections go. At least for the next two years, they’re going to have the opportunity to write the narrative and to drive the narrative,” he stated, underscoring the importance of strategic reassessment rather than impulsive reactions.
Fetterman further elaborated on the necessity of restraint in the face of Trump’s cabinet selections. “I’m just saying, buckle up and pack a lunch, because it’s going to be four years of this. And if you have a choice to freak out, you know, on the hour, then that’s your right. But I will not. I’m not that dude, and I’m not that Democrat. I’m going to pick my fights,” he declared, signaling his intent to focus on meaningful issues rather than getting swept up in every controversy.
He also cautioned his colleagues about the dangers of constant outrage. “If you freak out on everything, you lose any kind of relevance,” Fetterman warned, highlighting the need for Democrats to maintain their credibility.
In response to a question about whether liberals have overreacted to Trump’s election, Fetterman noted the interconnectedness of their reactions. “It’s symbiotic. One feeds off the other. The Democrats can’t resist a freakout, and that must be the wind under the wings for Trump,” he explained, suggesting that the party’s anxiety only serves to bolster the president-elect’s position.
Fetterman concluded with a pointed critique of the Democrats’ emotional responses: “Does clutching the pearls so hard — does that change anything? Did it work? Did it change the election? Was it productive? And, like, I can’t believe the outrage. That has to be candy for Trump.”
As Trump secured victory in Fetterman’s home state of Pennsylvania, marking the fifth consecutive election where the state’s winner also claimed the presidency, the senator’s comments serve as a reminder for his party to adopt a more strategic and composed approach moving forward.
