Fetterman tells Fox host he didn't see entire Trump, Biden debate
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) said on Wednesday he only watched parts of last month's debate between former President Trump and President Biden, but believes the incumbent is the "best opportunity" to defeat the former president.
Fox News host Jesse Watters, speaking with Fetterman, asked the senator, "You saw the debate, just like we all saw the debate, and that didn't change your mind?"
"I saw parts of it; I was actually flying back from Israel at that point," Fetterman answered. "And then when I landed, and I started to get some of the texts, and then at that point, I realized that I really wanted to get on social media and defend our president after that."
When Watters asked again if he had watched the entire debate, Fetterman said, "I didn't. I saw… perhaps, the ones, the most difficult ones, of course."
"But, for me, and I know a lot of the people typically that are watching Fox realize that Donald Trump may have had a great day and a great debate on that," Fetterman said. "But what I...would like to remind people that some people thought that Donald Trump hadn't some of the kinds of difficulty that perhaps Joe Biden [had], but he was saying things that were untrue, or he was saying things that really, I think, aren't really consistent with some of the values of a majority of people."
Biden's debate performance against Trump last month raised concerns within the Democratic Party about his ability to defeat the former president and serve another term.
Fetterman has been a vocal advocate of the president amid the fallout and shortly before his interview with Watters, told CNN he strongly disagreed with Sen. Peter Welch (D-V.t.), who became the first Senate Democrat to publicly call on Biden to withdraw from the presidential race.
Nine House Democrats have publicly urged Biden to step aside from the 2024 race, including Reps. Lloyd Doggett (Texas), Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.), Seth Moulton (Mass.), Mike Quigley (Ill.), Angie Craig (Minn.), Mikie Sherrill (N.J.), Adam Smith (Wash.), Pat Ryan (N.Y.) and Earl Blumenauer (Ore.).
Senate Democrats expressed their doubts about Biden's ability to beat Trump at a closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. Several senators emerging from the meeting Tuesday said Biden’s strong determination to remain atop the ticket had mostly settled the debate for now.
Biden has rejected calls to drop out and insists he is staying in the race. He urged congressional Democrats in a letter Monday to unite behind his candidacy.
Fetterman pointed to his own experiences with Biden, who he said was "normal" and "engaged" at campaign events over the past year.
"So, I really want to remind everybody that Joe Biden has done a really good job as president and I fundamentally am going to remain loyal to that," he said.
Three of Biden's top political advisers are slated to meet with Senate Democrats on Thursday to hear their concerns about Biden's viability as a candidate.
Date: | |
Tag: | Joe Biden |
-
The Hill - Politics
Harris vs. Trump: What the early post-Biden polls tell us
President Biden’s historic announcement that he was dropping out of the 2024 race has shaken up a race that had mostly stayed static until the past month. Polls have begun to trickle out in the days since Biden’s decision, offering clues to what a ...20 hr ago - Joe Biden -
The Guardian - World
Atlanta rally: Harris tells Trump to ‘say it to my face’ and challenges him to debate
VP touts prosecution record to cheering crowd after state leaders including Stacey Abrams take stage to show support. Three weeks ago, the political commentariat was writing off Georgia and talking of narrow pathways for Joe Biden to hold the ...16 hr ago - Donald Trump -
CNBC - Business
Trump wavers on Harris debate, says he could 'make a case' for skipping
Former President Donald Trump said that while he "probably" will debate Vice President Kamala Harris, he could "also make a case" for refusing to do so.5 hr ago - Donald Trump -
CBS News - Top stories
Will Trump debate Kamala Harris?
Several Kamala Harris surrogates are taking on former President Donald Trump for refusing to commit to a presidential debate, with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro suggesting it's because Trump is afraid to do so. Lance Trover, press secretary for ...18 hr ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
GOP senator, Fox News host battle over Harris 'ding dong' remark
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) on Monday said Americans view Vice President Harris as “a bit of a ding-dong,” a comment that was met with some pushback from Fox News host Neil Cavuto. Kennedy fired off a series of attacks against Harris on Fox News’s ...18 hr ago -
Politico - Politics
Schumer explains why he didn't shake Netanyahu’s hand
“I have serious disagreements with the way Benjamin Netanyahu has conducted these policies,” Schumer said.3 days ago -
Politico - Politics
Schumer explains why he didn't shake Netanyahu’s hand
“I have serious disagreements with the way Benjamin Netanyahu has conducted these policies,” Schumer said.3 days ago -
Politico - Politics
Schumer explains why he didn't shake Netanyahu’s hand
“I have serious disagreements with the way Benjamin Netanyahu has conducted these policies,” Schumer said.3 days ago -
The New York Times - Business
Trump Invitation to NABJ Conference Sets Off Debate
The National Association of Black Journalists has a history of inviting presidential candidates to speak, but many of its members are bristling at Donald Trump’s scheduled session.2 hr ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Trump planning to attend, host Q&A at Black journalists' convention in Chicago
Former President Trump will attend the gathering of Black journalists in Chicago this week, his campaign's latest effort to secure support from Black voters, a key demographic ahead of November. Trump will join a question-and-answer panel with ...6 hr ago - Donald Trump
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Massachusetts Senate votes to expand protections for LGBTQ parents
Massachusetts’s Democratic-controlled Senate voted unanimously on Tuesday to update the state’s parentage law, adding protections for LGBTQ families and children born through surrogacy and assisted reproduction that advocates say are long ...23 min ago -
The Hill - Politics
Harris campaign urges Black journalists to call out Trump’s ‘lies’ at NABJ event
The Harris campaign blasted former President Trump on Wednesday over his appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Chicago. “Ahead of Donald Trump’s conversation at NABJ today — let’s remember exactly who ...26 min ago -
The Hill - Politics
Romania is America’s new indispensable ally in Eastern Europe
Russia’s aggression presents Romania with a complex set of dangers.30 min ago -
The Hill - Politics
JD Vance says insults 'price of entry' of being nominated to national ticket
Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) brushed off the blowback he is facing from Democrats and some Republicans since being tapped as former President Trump's vice presidential pick, calling the criticism the "price of entry" to be on the Republican presidential ...31 min ago -
The Hill - Politics
Watch live: White House holds press briefing as tensions rise in Middle East
The White House is set to hold a press briefing Wednesday as tensions in the Middle East have flared with the death of a top Hamas leader in Iran. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. has no involvement in the killing of Ismail Haniyeh. ...45 min ago