A Senator Meant to Say ‘I’m Not a Republican.’ He Said the Opposite. The Slip Matters Less Than What He Actually Votes For.

John Fetterman’s gaffe went viral. His actual break with his party — on Iran and Israel — is the part with real legislative weight.

ONYX NEWS STAFF — DATELINE: AUSTIN, TX

Asked at the Texas Tribune Festival why he wouldn’t simply register as an independent given his repeated breaks with Democratic leadership, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman answered: “Because I’m a lifelong Republican.” The audience laughed; Fetterman caught himself immediately. “I guarantee you, that’s gonna break through,” he said, acknowledging the clip would circulate.

The slip overshadowed the more substantive news from the same appearance: Fetterman was, days earlier, the lone Democrat to vote against a Senate war powers resolution on the Iran war, continuing a pattern of breaking with his caucus specifically on Iran war measures and arms sales to Israel. He has also appeared in a video for the GOP’s midterm convention pledging to “work with President Trump” to protect Pennsylvania’s steel industry.

Despite the speculation, Fetterman reaffirmed his party registration directly: “I don’t have a reason to” join Republicans, he said, noting he votes with Democrats on “most partisan votes.” He declined to say how he’d use a potential tie-breaking 51st vote if Democrats retake the Senate, telling the audience: “Why can’t you guys just wait till the midterms? Chill.” A poll conducted last month by the New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Siena University found nearly two-thirds of Pennsylvania Democrats view Fetterman unfavorably — though Pennsylvania Republicans view him more favorably than they view their own GOP senator.