Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on Sunday called Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., “way out of touch” with Americans, particularly on the issue of Israel, and pointed to a poll suggesting low approval ratings for Fetterman among Pennsylvania Democrats.
Sanders’ remarks on NBC’s “Meet the Press” were a response to Fetterman’s recent criticisms of Sanders’ endorsement of Graham Platner, a former Maine Senate candidate who withdrew from the race following allegations of sexual assault, which he denied. Fetterman had accused Sanders of supporting Platner despite controversies.
“Well, my response to Fetterman is last time I saw it, he was reflecting the views of about 19% of the Democrats in the state of Pennsylvania,” Sanders said. “I think probably lower than any other member of the Democratic Senate. Fetterman does his thing, and I think, on Israel, and many other issues, is way out of touch with the people of America.”
Sanders appeared to be referencing a July Quinnipiac University poll, which indicated that 19% of Pennsylvania Democrats approved of Fetterman's job performance, while 69% disapproved. The same poll showed 77% approval among Republicans, with an overall approval rating of 48% among registered voters.
Fetterman’s office, when asked for comment, referred to remarks made to Semafor where he intensified his criticism of Sanders regarding Platner’s now-collapsed campaign. Fetterman accused Sanders of promoting Platner amid multiple controversies before his withdrawal from the Maine Senate race.
“You were the carnival barker for an accused rapist. You should have taken my advice, since you and P-Hustle blew up the Maine race,” Fetterman told Semafor. “Take responsibility and apologize.”
Fetterman further stated, “After you just blasted the Maine race apart, you are in Michigan replicating it,” referencing Sanders’ support for progressive Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
Earlier, Fetterman had questioned why more people were not angry about Sanders’ promotion of Platner. “I would be frustrated with someone like Bernie Sanders,” Fetterman said. “You know, why, why aren’t people angry why they promoted, you know, someone like Platner, an accused rapist.”
Fetterman had previously demanded that Sanders apologize to Maine voters and campaign donors. Sanders later called for Platner to withdraw from the race after the rape allegation emerged. Sanders defended Platner’s campaign before the allegation, acknowledging its seriousness after Platner withdrew.
“Well, you know, it’s easy to be a Monday morning quarterback,” Sanders said. “Platner ran a very strong campaign and, in fact, many of the issues that he’s raised are resonating all over this country. A woman made very serious allegations against him, he withdrew from the race, period.”