Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) indicated he is open to discussions with Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) about potentially joining the Republican conference. This comes after Fetterman made a surprise virtual appearance at the Republican convention to endorse fellow Pennsylvania Republican Dave McCormick.
"If and when he is ready to have that conversation, we are certainly ready to have it," Thune told The Post in an exclusive interview Thursday. "It’s going to be increasingly hard for him to have a home in a Democratic Party that is so far out of step with his core values, and I think that you know what he said yesterday reflects that."
Thune spoke on the sidelines of the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, where Fetterman appeared on a jumbotron to support McCormick. "I don’t push him on it," Thune added.
However, some Democrats dismissed Fetterman's endorsement of McCormick, a Republican who might have been his opponent in the 2022 election. Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) called the video appearance a "stunt," criticizing Fetterman's "work ethic" and claiming he was "just not present" in his official duties. Dean also stated that constituents who supported Fetterman are "livid."
Another Pennsylvania Democratic Representative, Chris DeLuzio, has reportedly received "a lot of encouragement" to challenge Fetterman in a 2028 primary. Fetterman has previously stated that if his party officially becomes "the anti-Israel party," he would have to depart. He also noted that he would be a "terrible Republican who still votes overwhelmingly with Democrats," referencing his voting record where he aligns with his party at least 80% of the time.
In a later statement, Fetterman clarified, "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."
Fetterman, who described himself as a "common sense Democrat" during his convention appearance, expressed his willingness to collaborate with McCormick and President Trump on issues important to Pennsylvania's steelworkers and other residents. "I’m always going to reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life," he stated.
This cross-party endorsement is not unprecedented. Former independent Sen. Joe Lieberman, who caucused with Democrats, endorsed Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) at the 2008 GOP convention. Four years earlier, Sen. Zell Miller (D-Ga.) backed then-presidential nominee George W. Bush at the Republican National Convention.
Recent polling suggests a complex view of Fetterman. An August survey by The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Siena University found that at least 73% of registered Republican voters held a positive opinion of Fetterman, compared to 63% for McCormick. Conversely, most registered Democratic voters (63%) had an unfavorable view of Fetterman, with only 22% expressing a favorable opinion.