Fetterman Says Dems, Harris ‘Not Connecting’ In Pennsylvania

In a Sunday interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman offered a candid assessment of Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign efforts, suggesting she hasn’t fully “connected” with the Pennsylvania voters she needs—something her GOP rival, former President Donald Trump, has notably achieved.

Bash began by pointing out Harris’ campaign schedule: “Kamala Harris will spend the last full day of the campaign only in Pennsylvania. She’s going to be in Allentown, in Pittsburgh, and in Philadelphia. There are 48 hours left in this race.”

She then asked Fetterman if he saw any warning signs similar to those in 2016, when Trump won Pennsylvania due to the Democratic Party’s struggle to connect with voters.

“There’s nothing new here,” Fetterman replied. “I said the same thing in 2016. It’s going to be really close. Trump definitely has a connection with voters here in Pennsylvania, and that’s why it’s going to be close.” He did note, however, that there is “a tremendous amount of energy for Harris as well.”

Fetterman described his own experiences on the campaign trail, mentioning events in Erie and Butler County and meeting a group of volunteers from Rochester, New York, who had come to knock on doors for Harris.

He acknowledged that “energy is strong on both sides” and that Pennsylvania, with its pivotal 19 Electoral College votes, is likely to determine the next president.

Last month, Fetterman cautioned his party about the potential impact of Elon Musk’s support for Trump in Pennsylvania. In an interview with the New York Post, he explained that Musk’s endorsement and presence at rallies could influence swing voters, the type Harris needs to secure victory.

“Musk is a concern,” Fetterman stated, not only because of his Trump endorsement but also because of his active participation in rallies. He added, “[Musk] is incredibly successful, and some people might see him as, like, a Tony Stark,” referring to the popular Marvel character. Fetterman warned that Democrats should avoid underestimating Musk’s appeal, noting that downplaying his influence “would be at our peril.”

Musk, who has previously identified as a centrist and supported Democrats, has recently criticized the party, saying it has embraced what he terms the “woke mind virus.”

Last month, Musk made a public appearance with Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he described the upcoming election as the “most important election of our lifetime.”