In a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) shared a grim outlook for Democrats ahead of the 2024 election, particularly in his home state of Pennsylvania.

Fetterman voiced concerns about the appeal of former President Donald Trump’s message among Pennsylvania voters and raised doubts about Kamala Harris’s ability to secure enough support in the key battleground state.

Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes, is one of the most critical swing states in the nation.

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Historically, the state’s voting patterns have heavily influenced the overall outcome of presidential elections.

Fetterman noted that Trump’s connection with Pennsylvania voters sets him apart from other Republican candidates.

He attributed this connection to Trump’s campaign strategy, which included visiting small, often overlooked towns across the state.

Reflecting on the 2016 election, Fetterman recalled how Trump’s visit to Monessen, a small steel town in Pennsylvania, sparked a shift among voters. “I’ll never forget, it was June in 2016, and I was a surrogate for [Hillary] Clinton, and Trump announced, ‘I’m showing up in a town called Monessen,’ which is a small steel town in the valley down from ours. And I’m like, why is he showing up there? Either he’s crazy, or they’ve plugged into something,” Fetterman told Rogan.

He observed that while most candidates reached 50 to 60 percent support in these rural areas, Trump managed to capture nearly 80 percent, indicating a deep resonance with voters there.

Fetterman’s concerns extend to the current race, where Harris has been actively campaigning in Pennsylvania.

However, despite significant investment in her campaign within the state, Fetterman expressed doubts about her chances.

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FETTERMAN: “Endorsements usually don’t account for much, but his getting involved is significant. In some ways, he’s an even bigger star than Trump. For some people in Pennsylvania,… pic.twitter.com/oJJVgGH8XL

— Autism Capital (@AutismCapital) November 3, 2024

Earlier this week, he openly stated that he has “no confidence” in Harris’s ability to win Pennsylvania, underscoring his apprehension about the Democratic Party’s strategy in the state.

Top Kamala Surrogate John Fetterman has no confidence in Kamala’s ability to win Pennsylvania:

“Trump definitely has a connection with voters here in Pennsylvania.” pic.twitter.com/3lAD3Mvmfx

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) November 3, 2024

Recent polling reflects the tight race in Pennsylvania. A USA Today/Suffolk University poll shows Harris and Trump tied at 49 percent statewide.

In bellwether Northampton County, Trump holds a slight edge with 50 percent to Harris’s 48 percent, while the two are tied at 48 percent each in Erie County, another critical region.

Bellwether counties like Northampton and Erie are considered reliable indicators of national trends, as their election results have historically mirrored the overall outcome.

Both counties have accurately predicted the winner of presidential elections since 2008.

This polling data marks a notable shift from earlier in the election season when Harris led in both counties.

The change signals an increasingly competitive race, with Trump’s support growing in areas crucial to a Democratic victory.

The findings also highlight how Pennsylvania’s electorate remains sharply divided, especially in regions that play an outsized role in shaping election outcomes.

Fetterman’s remarks emphasize the Democratic Party’s challenges in retaining Pennsylvania in 2024.

Watch the full Joe Rogan Experience episode with John Fetterman:

The state’s electoral significance, combined with Trump’s continued appeal to rural voters, places added pressure on the Harris campaign as Election Day approaches.

With Pennsylvania’s electoral votes likely pivotal in determining the next president, the Democratic strategy in the state may prove decisive.

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