Fetterman fundraising off GOP midterm convention appearance

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) on Thursday circulated a fundraising text springboarding off his surprise video appearance at the GOP midterm convention in Dallas, a cameo that has triggered the fury of some of Fetterman’s Democratic critics.

The fundraising text highlights his bipartisan work with Republican Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) and links to an ActBlue fundraising webpage with the video of Fetterman that Republicans played in Dallas embedded in it.

In the video, a C-SPAN clip of Fetterman’s speech introducing McCormick at the convention, he tells the audience that he’s a “commonsense Democrat” who “is always going to stand with America” and “always going to reject the extremes in socialism and that anti-American way of life.”

The ActBlue fundraising blurb below the video says Fetterman “came to Washington to fight for Pennsylvania’s working people, forgotten communities and families to get ahead.”

“He’ll keep standing his ground, speaking his mind and putting Pennsylvania first,” it says.

The webpage gives potential donors the option to give $5 to $250 or to write in a custom amount to support Fetterman.

The convention appearance has drawn pushback from some Democrats, such as Pennsylvania Rep. Madeleine Dean (D), who called it a “stunt” and “gravely disappointing.”