Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

FakeNoose

(32,656 posts)
Fri Mar 29, 2024, 12:21 PM Mar 29

All three of John Fetterman's top communications staffers have resigned in the last month

Two staffers are leaving for more progressive political jobs. Fetterman has recently made a big deal of denouncing that ever-nebulous political label.



Philly Inquirer link: https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/john-fetterman-staffers-joe-cavello-20240329.html

Clout learns there’s been some serious turnover in Sen. John Fetterman’s office. In the last month, all three of Fetterman’s top communications staffers have left Capitol Hill. Nick Gavio, who was deputy communications director, will leave the office at the end of March to take a new role with the Working Families Party.

Fetterman’s former communications director, Joe Calvello, left earlier this month to work for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. And Emma Mustion, a press and digital aide also left Fetterman’s office to work on the reelection of Sen. Bob Casey.

Gavio and Calvello, two veterans of Bernie Sanders’ 2020 campaign, and Fetterman’s Senate campaign, offered nothing but nice comments about their new jobs. But Clout doesn’t believe in coincidences, and it seems relevant that both are going to more progressive spaces, given that Fetterman has recently made a big deal of denouncing that ever-nebulous political label.

Fetterman has alienated some of his supporters on the left with his defense of Israel’s war against Hamas and his criticism of cease-fire activists. His office did not comment on the departures but chief of staff Adam Jentleson said the office has already hired replacements.
- more at link -

This isn't hard news so much as it's commentary by a political columnist on the Philly Inquirer staff.

Personally I don't se anything worth stirring up over Fetterman's desire to align himself with President Biden's policies. Fetterman is no less "progressive" now than during his campaign speeches, however he does recognize his responsibility to agree with the President whenever possible. Some Democrats may not like his way of thinking, but that's too bad.

Nothing to see here. No Democrats are in disarray.

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
All three of John Fetterman's top communications staffers have resigned in the last month (Original Post) FakeNoose Mar 29 OP
My take is Fetterman is a shrewd pragmatist. You can't be Bernie Sanders in Pennsylvania bucolic_frolic Mar 29 #1
My Senator wants to remain in office to help the People of the State of Pennsylvania. FalloutShelter Mar 29 #3
That's a good way of putting it /nt bucolic_frolic Mar 29 #4
Worth pointing out again that in the HRC vs Bernie primary Deminpenn Apr 1 #5
people disagreeing with each other on policy is not the end of the world stopdiggin Mar 29 #2
The one staffer who left for Chicago is originaly Deminpenn Apr 1 #6
agree in very large part stopdiggin Apr 1 #7

bucolic_frolic

(43,202 posts)
1. My take is Fetterman is a shrewd pragmatist. You can't be Bernie Sanders in Pennsylvania
Fri Mar 29, 2024, 12:32 PM
Mar 29

and I wonder if his move to the middle is to help Bob Casey's campaign for re-election this year. You win elections by occupying the political middle. Shrewd as I said.

FalloutShelter

(11,871 posts)
3. My Senator wants to remain in office to help the People of the State of Pennsylvania.
Fri Mar 29, 2024, 12:50 PM
Mar 29

This is a very divided state. I am happy to support a principled Democratic Senator who is not willing to cut off his nose to spite MY face.

Deminpenn

(15,286 posts)
5. Worth pointing out again that in the HRC vs Bernie primary
Mon Apr 1, 2024, 04:10 AM
Apr 1

in Pennsylvania, Bernie swept the "red" counties. There is an appetite for Bernie's message. In fact, Bob Casey is and always has been basically an economic populist.

stopdiggin

(11,320 posts)
2. people disagreeing with each other on policy is not the end of the world
Fri Mar 29, 2024, 12:42 PM
Mar 29

And people have a right to work with and for things that align with their viewpoints.
On the other hand - purity tests are a huge detriment to any kind of cohesion within party - and translates into ineffectual movement and diminished gains for all. And Sen Fetterman is clearly the person that won the seat - and appears to be quite capable of forming his own opinion - and definitions of allegiance.

Deminpenn

(15,286 posts)
6. The one staffer who left for Chicago is originaly
Mon Apr 1, 2024, 04:25 AM
Apr 1

from Chicago. Another one is going to work for the Working Familiies Party, more in line with his views.
I recall reading that some of Sen Casey's staff went over to Fetterman after he was elected to help him set up his office with good staffers who knew how the Senate/Congress works. I'm not really surprised at least one of them would return to Sen Casey.

I voted for Fetterman, but think the jury is still out on him. I won't be shocked if he's a one term senator either by his own choice or by the voters. I'm happy he votes with Biden/Dems which is a key to continuing to confirm federal judges. During the campaign his social media trolling, hoodie and cargo pants had a place, but he's a US Senator now, a job that comes with a dress code and a requirement for decorum. He needs to grow up and maybe is showing signs of doing so.

stopdiggin

(11,320 posts)
7. agree in very large part
Mon Apr 1, 2024, 12:55 PM
Apr 1

the board shorts thing fails to impress (on top of being just kind of childish and silly)
Other hand - he does have the right to pursue his own agenda and conscience. And 'progressives feeling betrayed' (which is kind of where I thought this article was heading) - is pretty much an every day event. 'Feeling betrayed' is their wheelhouse and SOP. So - to be expected?

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Pennsylvania»All three of John Fetterm...