Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania conveyed his view that advocating for border security and immigration reform can coexist.
Fresh Perspective
Fetterman underscored the significance of addressing both aspects, asserting that the United States requires a comprehensive approach with a fresh perspective.
The senator advocates for balanced, robust immigration policies with the need for a secure border.
Need for Secure Border
In last week’s interview on CNN with Jake Tapper, Fetterman remarked, “I honestly don’t understand why it’s controversial to say we need a secure border.”
Challenges Achieving Dream
He said that the massive influx of illegal immigrants is hindering legal migrants from achieving their “American dream.”
“There is a Crisis”
Fetterman noted, “There is a crisis. We have a crisis at our border, and it can’t be controversial that we should have a secure border.”
Progressive Critics
While acknowledging his strong support for legal immigration, the senator wondered why some of his progressive critics take issue with this stance.
Strong Immigration Supporter
Fetterman said, “I’ve been very clear, in fact, that was weaponized against me [by] Republicans in my race, that I’m very much a strong supporter of immigration, and you know, my wife’s family, that’s the origin story about that.”
Impact on Legal Immigration
The senator pointed out the difficulties faced by legal immigrants due to the surge in illegal border crossings.
Pursuing the “American Dream”
He said, “I think about immigration is, we want to provide the American Dream for any migrant. But it seems very difficult when you have 300,000 people showing up, encountered at our border to do that.”
From Progressive to Democrat
Discussing his political identity, Fetterman talked about his transition from being labeled a progressive to identifying more closely with the Democratic Party.
“The Title Left Me”
“It’s not so much that I left the title, the title left me,” he stated. “Increasingly, [progressives] moved and migrated into some positions that I don’t agree with, and I really just feel much more comfortable just being a Democrat.”
Stance on Israel
Tapper asked Fetterman about the criticism he has faced from progressive quarters, particularly regarding his pro-Israel.
Controversy Confusion
Fetterman expressed confusion over the controversy surrounding his stance, affirming his strong support for Israel as an ally of the United States.
Israel’s Progressive Values Paradox
He added Israel “is most reflective of the kinds of open, progressive, liberal policies, and it’s a strange paradox where the most progressive members of our party seem to not recognize that Israel is a nation that supports those values.”
Border Policy Reset Call
Fetterman concluded by calling for a “reset” in the United States’ border policies. He urged both Republican and Democratic lawmakers to collaborate and develop a comprehensive solution to address the ongoing crisis.
Call for Democratic Engagement
Over the past few months, Senator Fetterman has been vocal about the issues at the southern border and emphasized the need for Democrats to engage in the dialogue.
A Reasonable Conversation
In a statement to Politico in December, he said, “I hope Democrats can understand that it isn’t xenophobic to be concerned about the border. It’s a reasonable conversation, and Democrats should engage.”
Drop in Popularity
Fetterman’s popularity among younger voters in Pennsylvania has experienced a big drop compared to the strong support he garnered from this demographic during the November 2022 election.
Favorability and Unfavorability
According to a recent Quinnipiac University survey released earlier this month, only 28% of individuals aged 18-34 hold a favorable view of Fetterman, while 45% have an unfavorable opinion of the senator.
2022 Election & Young Voters
This drop marks a noteworthy departure from the widespread support he enjoyed during the 2022 election, where young voters played a pivotal role in securing his victory against Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Potential Factor
One potential factor contributing to this shift could be Fetterman’s vocal stance on Israel.
Youth Sympathy for Palestinians
A December New York Times/Siena College poll reveals that only 27% of young people sympathize with Israel, compared to 47% with the Palestinians. This shift in perception may impact their views on pro-Israel politicians like Fetterman and even President Joe Biden.
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