Fetterman to Democrats criticizing Biden: ‘Get your MAGA hat’

As a lifelong democrat, I find this to be very dangerous rhetoric. It sounds tonedeaf. Regardless of the candidate, being critical of politicians is a cornerstone of democracy.

I understand it's important to be a united front, but the need to seemingly bring dissenting voices into line is not a good way to do it. We cannot force people to say we have a perfect candidate for the sake of avoiding discussion.

Edit: a word

It's news when the democrats say there's no appropriate time to critique democrats

I mean, I'm still voting for Biden over any of the Nazis on the red team, but the whole funding-a-genocide-on-gaza thing is going to make it a pretty unenthused vote.

I really wish I could vote for someone on a basis other than lesser evil.

If valid criticism of a candidate causes someone to decide not to vote for them, then so be it. That's how democracy is supposed to work. What's important is that people vote for who they want to lead them, period.

Funny how demanding unquestioned loyalty is a MAGA cultist quality.

Hey, I’m gonna be honest: his enormous about-face of political ideology (“I no longer identify as a progressive”, when, you know, him being a progressive before was a big part of why he got elected) and obvious personality changes make me extremely suspicious that his stroke permanently affected his brain in some pretty serious ways.

That’s not a derogatory comment. That’s just an observation, and strokes can absolutely have that effect on someone.

Fetterman noted during an interview an uptick in Democrats who have become more critical of Biden lately, and said it’s only helping former President Trump.

If it were closer to the election, I would definitely agree, and maybe it is too close now, although I don't think so... if it is not too close, then Biden should be criticized by Democrats who have their ear to the ground to move him towards supporting more popular policies.

'Get your MAGA hat'

He's got it backward and needs to look in the mirror.

i.e.,

There are people who defend Trump, no matter what.

and

There are people who defend Biden, no matter what.

Listen, Coach Fetterman: We love your size and bombastic past but "if you aren't for us you are against us" is not the type of faux populism that is needed in 2024.

He's not entirely wrong. I've been critical of Biden myself, but it is because I am concerned about Biden's ability to beat Trump. I want Biden to be a stronger candidate, and a stronger leader for that matter. Criticizing Biden is the best way I know to make him to better than he's doing now. Poking holes in candidates is my love language.

But I'm a nobody. I don't make headlines when I point out his flaws. Maybe somebody somewhere will read something I wrote, or at a minimum it becomes part of the rising din of concern, and Biden is forced to make an effort to speak to my concerns. That's the best I can hope for.

I'm not backing an alternative candidate. I'm not calling for him to step aside or resign. I'm not suggesting we all throw our votes away on some long shot third party candidate. Anybody who is doing those things is helping Trump. And it's hard not to think that they don't know they are helping Trump, which makes it hard not to think that their intent is to help Trump.

So while I think Fetterman ought to be more specific with his criticism of critics, I don't disagree that there are people who fit his accusation. I also think there are far more reasonable progressives and moderates who have voiced legitimate concerns that Biden should do well to hear. Hillary ignored many of those same criticisms, to the peril of all Americans. America would be a much better place if Democrats tried harder to be more than just the lesser bad option. "At least we're not traitorous rapists" isn't a campaign slogan that inspires confidence.

The “I’m a progressive until I’m voted into office” guy?! Nah fuck him

Fuck you, Fetterman.

I mean, what's his point we should never bitch about it when Biden does shit we don't like? I have a novel idea, maybe he should start focusing on public approval instead of you demanding that the public blindly approve of everything he does.

Yeah, I'm going to vote for him because the alternative is a bad fucking idea.

His criticism isn't out of left field He's earned this shit. It's not that he's an irredeemable president, but a significant amount of his campaign is not being Trump. And still we hope all the hell that that's enough.

I’m still on the fence about whether I can stomach knowing that I voted for the genocidal monster that can barely remember his name because he’s better than the fascist genocidal monster that wants to end whatever semblance of democracy we might have. This country is just the worst.

While voting for Biden is the right thing to do in these circumstances, Fetterman has zero understanding of optics and apparently the oil companies got to him judging by his pro-Israel stance.

This guy turned heel pretty quickly.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) panned Democrats who are upping their criticisms of President Biden ahead of the November election, saying they might as well don a “MAGA hat.”

Fetterman noted during an interview an uptick in Democrats who have become more critical of Biden lately, and said it’s only helping former President Trump.

Democracy! No longer allowed to question or criticize our politicians.

Destin Sandlin, aka the Smarter Every Day guy, got some great advice from Obama about negative feedback which I think Fetterman should take to heart.

But what else would I expect from someone from York?

It's like the saying "You catch more flies by being such a giant asshole people don't vote and kind of look forward to Trump throwing you in Gitmo in 2025"

Supreme Leader is above criticism, and to believe otherwise means you're the one in a cult.

Folks talking shit isn't news.

This is the guy (whom I proudly voted for) who was getting defensive because people didn't think he was as progressive as they were led to believe. The people criticizing Biden and Fetterman are typically liberals and progressives, not MAGA.

I think Joe Biden is grossly under-appreciated for what he's accomplished thus far. He's legit incredible (imo). He's also old as shit and I reject the idea that he's the only American citizen capable of running the country as well as he has for three years. Dude, take the W and GTFO.

"haha jk I'm mid right just like every other dem! Vote mid right or vote far right cause you can suck a dick otherwise!"

DJ air horn

Eat shit Fetterman.

He already got his I suck Israeli lobbyist dick hat.

I've recently come to the conclusion Biden shouldn't run again. There's no two ways about it. Guy is too old. (Trump is too, but maggats won't care.)

If Biden left after one term, he would be remembered as a great president. If he loses to Trump, he will be that senile asshole who helped to destroy US democracy because he couldn't see what everyone else could.

There's plenty of younger Democrats. Any one of them could campaign circles around Trump.

Ahhh, the land of the free and the home of the brave, where you're not allowed to mock your elected leader without hurting someone else's feelings.

If the criticism only comes up now, it's not real criticism. It's astro-turfing for Trump. We've had 4 years of Biden but the amount of Biden criticism I've seen lately has risen sharply. Sure, criticize the things he's done lately, but I've seen stuff from years ago.

There's no point in that unless you're trying to tank his chances against Trump.

Progressives who would rather primary a nobody who will absolutely fail to get non-progressive votes and lose to Trump are unhinged or failed gradeschool civics. It's just stupidity or worse: Trump propaganda.

he thinks people criticizing biden should vote for trump? i don't think that's going to work out the way he hopes.

Backstabbing lib says lib shit. More at 7.

This is the best summary I could come up with:

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) panned Democrats who are upping their criticisms of President Biden ahead of the November election, saying they might as well don a “MAGA hat.”

Fetterman noted during an interview an uptick in Democrats who have become more critical of Biden lately, and said it’s only helping former President Trump.

But if you’re not willing to just support the president now and say these kinds of things, you might as well just get your MAGA hat, because you now are helping Trump with this.”

He also told longtime political strategist James Carville to “shut the f‑‑‑ up’ after the ex-Clinton aide said that Trump could dethrone Biden in the general election.

Carville also noted that concerns about Biden’s age are a very real thing for voters amid his polling swoon.

Fetterman also projected confidence that Biden will win in Pennsylvania, which he carried in the 2020 contest, and that it will buoy him to a second term in office.

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