Democratic Sen.
of Pennsylvania said Saturday that it's "entirely possible" his party could win control of the Senate in the midterm elections, but he also left the door open on his own political future.
uncertain
he → say → future
"Let's revisit after the midterm," Fetterman told CBS News' Major Garrett at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin.
asserted
Fetterman → revisit → Austin
Democrats faced an uphill battle heading into the midterm cycle as they sought control the upper chamber, with 53 Republicans currently in the Senate and a map that appeared more favorable to the GOP.
asserted
that → face → GOP
But as affordability issues have persisted in the Trump administration and amid the unpopular war with Iran, the picture has appeared to improve for Democrats as they aim to secure a majority in the Senate.
asserted
they → persist → Senate
Fetterman, who delivered Democrats a crucial victory in a closely watched race in 2022, has been under scrutiny in recent years for breaking with his party, spurring questions about his future.
asserted
who → deliver → future
Asked whether he would leave the Democratic Party, Fetterman said Saturday that he doesn't "have a reason to."
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he → ask → reason
And he emphasized, "I am not a Republican."
asserted
I → emphasize → ?
But he cautioned that people should wait until the midterm elections to "see what I do."
asserted
I → caution → what
"Let's see what happens if I happen to be 51 — I don't know," Fetterman said.
asserted
Fetterman → see → ?
Fetterman shocked many Democrats when
earlier this month introducing his counterpart, GOP Sen. Dave McCormick, while vowing to work with President Trump on steel.
asserted
Fetterman → shock → steel
But Fetterman said Saturday, "I have no path as a Republican."
asserted
I → say → Republican
The Pennsylvania Democrat said, "There are no Republicans with a 90% Democratic vote line.
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Democrat → say → line
There are no pro-choice, there's no pro-gay community, that does not exist in the Republican Party.
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that → be → Party
"How many times do I have to say it?
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I → have → it
So wait until after the midterm and see what happens," he said.
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he → wait → midterm
"And now, if we do win and I'm 51, people can remember, 'hey, that's why it's mathematically possible to retain the majority,' because I was able to win a state like Pennsylvania."
asserted
I → win → Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is one of only two states in the country represented by one Democrat and one Republican in the Senate, alongside Wisconsin.
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Pennsylvania → represent → Wisconsin
A third state, Maine, has one Republican senator and one independent who caucuses with Democrat.
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who → have → Democrat
Pennsylvania has flipped between supporting Democrats and Republican presidents in recent elections.
asserted
Pennsylvania → flip → elections
On whether
, Fetterman said he's been actively fundraising, but he also indicated that the decision will come after the midterms.
asserted
decision → say → midterms
Fetterman posed the question, "Where's the Democratic Party at right now?"
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Party → pose → Where
He pointed to attendance at a nearby event with controversial streamer
and "the energy" among the party, which has seen a series of wins by insurgent Democrats in recent months.
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which → point → months
He cited his commitment to Israel as an issue underscoring his divergence from some of the party, adding, "more and more members of my caucus are becoming more and more anti-Israel.
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members → cite → caucus
"He also pointed to the recent government shutdowns as an issue he diverged from the bulk of Democrats on, arguing that he's "putting the country over the party" and fighting for workers.
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he → point → workers
"Do you think it's right and smart to shut our government down?
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it → think → government
No, Democrats, we used to say, 'No, never, never do that,'" Fetterman said.
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Fetterman → use → that
"And that put me at the odds of my caucus, saying, 'It's wrong.'"
asserted
It → put → caucus
Fetterman said he's "chosen to be country over the party, knowing that some of these decisions are going to put me at odds."
Asked whether he expects Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to remain leader if Democrats take the majority, and whether he would vote for him, Fetterman said, "Yes, I mean, there's no one making a move."
asserted
I → say → move
Fetterman called a Marist poll that shows Democratic Senate candidate up eight points in Iowa "shocking," among other races where Democrats are leading in some polls.
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Democrats → call → polls
He pointed to Schumer's recruiting efforts, saying, "If people are angry at Chuck Schumer, it's undeniable, he has recruited an incredibly strong class."
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he → point → class
"I don't sharpen blades for Chuck Schumer, and there might be some people there that refuse to say it, but it's not helpful to go after our leader because we have no idea until we wait until the midterm," Fetterman said.
uncertain
Fetterman → sharpen → midterm
"It's irrelevant until what happens in the midterm."
asserted
what → happen → midterm
The Aporia
