Fetterman Video at GOP Convention Introduces McCormick, Pledges to Work With Trump on Steel

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., appeared by pre-recorded video Wednesday night at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, introducing fellow Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., and saying he would work with McCormick and President Donald Trump to “defend the steel way of life.” The clip ran about a minute and played on the screens at American Airlines Center as McCormick took the stage. Fetterman was not listed on the public program.

Filmed in front of the U.S. Steel Edgar Thomson Works in Braddock, where Fetterman lives, the video opened with the question he posed to the Republican hall: “Yes, I’m a Democrat. Why am I here talking to you today?” He answered that he is a “common-sense Democrat” who will “always stand with America” and “always reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life.” He called McCormick “the kind of senator that gets the job done,” a “great American,” and a friend from a different party. Gesturing at the mill, he said the two would work together “and work with President Trump to fight and defend the steel way of life right here in the Steel Valley.” McCormick, who Axios reported helped arrange the appearance, thanked Fetterman from the stage for “friendship” and “courage.” The Trump Rapid Response account posted the clip with the caption “Based John Fetterman.”

After the video aired, Fetterman issued a statement saying he is not switching parties. “My remarks introduced Dave McCormick as a great American and friend. We are in different parties, but we are both Team PA,” he said. He cited joint work that he said delivered hundreds of millions of dollars back to Pennsylvania on transportation, housing, and steel. “I’m a lifelong Democrat who votes overwhelmingly with my party — and should the Senate flip in November, I will still be the 51st vote that I ran on.” Democrats would need four Republican-held Senate seats to take the majority; a Fetterman party switch would raise that number by one. He has said previously he would leave the party only if it became officially “anti-Israel.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said Republicans would welcome him. A New York Times/Philadelphia Inquirer/Siena poll last month found 79 percent of Pennsylvania Republicans viewed Fetterman favorably, a higher share than viewed McCormick favorably.

The two senators launched a joint fundraising committee this summer, an unusual arrangement across party lines, and appeared together in Pennsylvania during the Senate’s August recess. Fetterman has voted for some of Trump’s nominees and publicly criticized Democratic Socialists and what he has called an “orgy of socialism” in his party. Former aides told NBC News the convention video was “pathetic” and that McCormick was “working him.” Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., called Fetterman “a disgrace.” Commentator Stephen A. Smith said appearing in a GOP “hype video” was “spitting in the face of Democrats who elected you.” Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said Fetterman remains “an important member of our caucus” and that spinning up over his voting record is “a waste of energy,” noting he still votes with Democrats most of the time.