Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania is still not over the Graham Platner controversy in Maine and he is harboring some anger for Bernie Sanders for pushing Platner’s candidacy.
Fetterman used a recent public appearance to slam Bernie over this and to seemingly chastise other people who supported Platner, asking what Platner’s appeal was.
When it comes to Graham Platner, John Fetterman has been more vocally critical than almost any other person in his party.
The Hill reports:
Fetterman also expressed frustration with fellow Democratic senators who backed progressive insurgent candidate Graham Platner in the critical Maine Senate race, despite the fact that he was not carefully vetted and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) had intensively recruited Democratic Gov. Janet Mills to run for the Maine Senate seat.
Fetterman said he was “angry” that Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) championed Platner so forcefully and was reluctant to withdraw his support even after The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal reported in early June troubling allegations about the candidate’s past behavior.
“As a Democrat, I am angry at people like Bernie Sanders, that pushed that accused rapist. Why did so many people on that left embrace that accused rapist?” he said, referring to Platner.
“What was the appeal? Was it no record in public service? Was it the record of the Nazi ink? Was it the crazy things he said online? What was the appeal, roughing up his ex-girlfriends?” he asked.
“Why did you push these people? Why did you buy in and then plunge that most consequential Senate race now into chaos?” Fetterman fumed, arguing the implosion of Platner’s campaign has made it “more difficult” to beat Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and win control of the Senate.
See the video below:
FETTERMAN: “I am angry at people like Bernie Sanders that pushed that accused rapist. Why did so many people on the Left embrace that accused rapist? What was the appeal? Was it no record in public service? Was it the record of the Nazi ink? Was it the crazy things he said?” pic.twitter.com/r7xHqcGXgp
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 15, 2026
This might explain why Fetterman has such a high approval among Pennsylvania Republicans.
Among Pennsylvania Republicans, Sen. John Fetterman (D) has a higher net approval rating than Sen. Dave McCormick (R). pic.twitter.com/rbhdg2M7bL
— Political Polls (@PpollingNumbers) July 15, 2026
The point Fetterman made about Bernie Sanders is important. Have you noticed how quiet Bernie has been lately?
Mike LaChance has been covering higher education and politics for Legal Insurrection since 2012. Since 2008 he has contributed work to the Gateway Pundit, Daily Caller, Breitbart, the Center for Security Policy, the Washington Free Beacon, and Ricochet. He has also written for American Lookout, Townhall, and Twitchy.
You can email Mike LaChance here, and read more of Mike LaChance’s articles here.
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