In a recent conversation at the 2024 Atlantic Festival, Democratic Senator John Fetterman expressed his concerns about the unique bond former President Donald Trump shares with the people of Pennsylvania.
Fetterman, in dialogue with The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, highlighted Trump's significant influence within the party and his unique standing in the Keystone State.
According to Fox News, Fetterman stated, "Trump has created a special kind of hold within the coronet hes remade the party and he has a special kind of place in Pennsylvania, and I think that only deepened after the first assassination attempt." The assassination attempt Fetterman referred to occurred in July, when a deranged gunman targeted Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Miraculously, Trump survived the attack with a minor head wound, which only seemed to strengthen his support base.
Fetterman further emphasized the palpable tension and commitment among Pennsylvanians, stating, "I also want people to understand, you know, and its not science, but there is, theres energy and there are kinds of anger on the ground in Pennsylvania and people are very committed and strong." He humorously added, "And I joked that his signs became like the state flower and you see that everywhere."
Despite Trump's strong support base, recent polls suggest a slight lead for Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic presidential nominee following President Biden's withdrawal from the race. A Washington Post poll showed Harris with 48% support among likely and registered voters, slightly ahead of Trump's 47%. A New York Times poll presented a slightly larger lead for Harris, with the vice president at 50% compared to Trump's 46%.
However, Fetterman expressed doubt about these polls, drawing parallels with the 2016 presidential race when former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's seven-point lead in Pennsylvania collapsed on Election Day. "Everybody thought that it was in the bag, but thats not the energy and the other kinds of things that were really consistent with what Im witnessing all across," Fetterman recalled. "And then, sadly, we saw what happened."
Fetterman concluded his remarks by acknowledging the understanding Pennsylvanians have of Trump's character, stating, "People understand who he is and what hes about, and enough people think that thats the feature, and its not a bug." This statement underscores the enduring appeal of Trump's unorthodox approach to politics among his supporters, despite the controversies surrounding his presidency.
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