Issue 019 · Sept 15th 2026
This is what libs thought in 2023…
The Political Journey of John Fetterman
John Fetterman keeps telling anyone who will listen that he votes "a 91% Democratic line." Across roughly 1,580 Senate roll calls since 2023, he has sided with the Democratic caucus about 88% of the time, less than any other Senate Democrat, but not by a landslide (next is Jeanne Shaheen, who votes with Trump about 25.6% of the time to Fetterman's 28%). The breaks are fairly loud though - only Dem to confirm Pam Bondi as Attorney General, backed Kristi Noem for DHS, was the lone Democrat to vote to advance full-year DHS funding during the February shutdown fight, crossed over first on the 2025 government-funding standoff, joined about a dozen Democrats on the Laken Riley Act, and has voted with Republicans on Israel and Iran measures, at times as the only one. But, he also voted "HELL NO" on Trump's signature domestic bill, and holds the line with his party on abortion, LGBTQ protections, and labor. His approval among Pennsylvania Democrats has fallen from 80% in early 2024 to about 20% now; his approval among Republicans has climbed to nearly 80%. A July poll found 57% of Pennsylvania Democrats think he should switch parties. Let's get into it.
→ Subverting the will of the people
Bipartisanship is one thing, but misrepresenting your actual political opinions to get elected is closer to fraud. The 88% number is not the whole story - unanimous, low-stakes roll calls pad the percentage, like a university with a 5% acceptance rate that deliberately entices non-competitive candidates to apply. Fetterman has veered on the issues that matter most to Dems right now, and he has the cajones to appear by video at the GOP's midterm convention, eight weeks before 2026 midterms. Even if his stances seem reasonable to you personally, ultimately a politician is an agent of the people who elected him. That’s literally the point of elections. Voters elected a Democrat to be the opposition, not some .
← The last true bipartisan elected
People say they want more bipartisanship until someone actually does it, and then they call it betrayal. Fetterman voted with his party 90% of the time. The underlying complaint is not really about the other 10%; it is that he refuses to treat the other side as an enemy in an era when the party rewards total war. This feels like literally a mirror image of Trump and the voters’ revolt on Thomas Massie (ironically, the Israel issue is a massive factor in both). What hope we do have for this country if the voters reject aisle crossing in practice. “We want bipartisanship, just not on THAT” - when THAT is anything that matters at all. If a senator this reliably Democratic is intolerable, the problem voters are describing is not Fetterman, the problem is the voters. And keep in mind this is the POINT of a 6 year Senate term, politicians have more incentive to vote in the long term good, not what the mob will punish. America is f*cked.
- NYC Event to Learn More -
Looking Ahead: A Bipartisan Path Forward
When: Tuesday, September 22
What: In the spirit of bipartisanship, YALE is trying to put together a bipartisan panel on climate change. But….they only have one speaker determined so far. Indicative of the problem?
- Curated Articles -
The New Era of Punishing Political Nonconformity (Michael Bahareen, The Liberal Patriot) A brief history of party purity politics becoming ascendant, positioned as a bad thing. Ironically, The Liberal Patriot shut down earlier this year due to lack of funding interest.
Fetterman’s surprise GOP convention video was a trap.. (Kaivan Shroff, MSNow) Argues that Fetterman as a Democrat isn’t really bipartisan but really just partisan for the other team. Differs from Manchin and others because he’s not achieving policy goals
The Room at UNMUTED - Next Tuesday
What does the UN do? How much does the US spend on the UN today? Are we getting our money’s worth? How would you even measure that? Well, in partnership with Network 20/20, we are going to find the f*ck out! Because we’re asking the biggest question of all: Should the US leave the UN?
Former Biden appointed UN ambassador Chris Lu defends the merit of the UN against Taufiq Rahim, principal of 2040 World and Senior Fellow at New America. You don’t have to have a strong opinion, you don’t have to be a wonk, you just have to be really really ridiculously good looking. Just kidding - the bar is political curiosity! If you’re curious about what the UN is, and whether or not it’s failing us (or whether America is failing the UN), join us. BUT if you can’t make it, subscribe here to stay updated on all of our upcoming events.
Is the UN the most inefficient jobs program in the world?
Leave the house NEXT week in
NYC
Wed 9/22, 6 PM
Worth the Risk
Allison Schrager (Manhattan Inst.) +
Cliff Asness (AQR)
Are Americans just giant p*ssies? The economy’s not uncertain, it’s these risk averse citizens! UNMUTED speaker Schrager’s new book.
Produced by Manhattan Institute
Hosted at 92NY
Thurs, 9/16, 9 AM
AI, Energy, and our Fight for Democracy
A bunch of medium profile lib politicians
Catchy title. Waitlist only :/. You can probably guess what this is about. One issue: the voting majority sided with this admin…so whose vote are you converting?
Produced by The New School
Hosted at The New School
Thurs, 9/24, 9:30 PM
Do It Live w/ Chika
Chika (I have no idea what her last name is, but she is allegedly funny)
Late night talk show, feat. a lot of local NYC politicians, organizers, etc.
Produced by Chika
Hosted at Caveat
That’s all for now. See you Space Cowboy…