That seems like a curious thing to say. Based on all these completely baseless, unfounded stories built on rumor and innuendo…you think there probably will turn out to be something to this? What are you basing that on?
And I haven’t drawn any “conclusions”, other than that further investigation is warranted. I’ve just been pushing back against your perhaps hyperbolic claim that all the reporting done thus far is utterly valueless and doesn’t deserve to be taken at all seriously.
Also, you’re moving the goalposts here. First you were claiming that all these sources were anonymous, and when I pointed out that at least one isn’t, that doesn’t count either, because I can’t personally vouch for that source’s motivation.
It will be Doug Mastriano, who lost the governor’s race to Josh Shapiro in '22. I’d bet money on it. Slavering MAGAturd is a very apt description of him.
To some extent we are prisoners of our first impressions. I learned about Fetterman’s difficulties via the New York Times. For other posters, the Futurism article was their introduction: I have to agree it was somewhat gossipy and superficial.
The initial NYT article did not include the AP allegations. Nor does yesterday’s roundup. Fetterman now reportedly feels he’s been forced to return to work. NYT gifted:
And for that, he largely blames his decision to speak out two years ago about his mental health struggles, which he said gave rise to all that has followed, including a recent series of unflattering reports detailing erratic behavior, a poor attendance record and general disinterest in doing his job.
If he was open about his mental health struggles and then did his job, I’d call him an inspiration.
I’m not sure why he even ran if he hates the duties of being in office.
I’m glad he won and a Republican didn’t, but the man has always struck me as a slovenly, undisciplined ape.
Thing.Fish is taking a kind of “divide and conquer” approach to the allegations against Fetterman: this one is anonymous, and that one is suspect, and so on. Yet, even though each individual source may perhaps be invalidated in this way, I would say that their aggregate cannot.
Especially since they all jibe with the known and indeed self-reported fact that Fetterman was hospitalized for depression in 2023. That’s a damn big deal! In general, depressed people don’t want to be hospitalized for their affliction, and most are not (I’ve had two close family members deal with the extremes of depression, and neither was hospitalized for it). In particular, politicians do not want to be hospitalized for depression, as it gives quite a bit of fodder to their opponents (especially if the opponents are fascists with no decorum).
And, appearances aside, is someone who is so depressed that they have to be hospitalized for it even qualified to be in government? That’s a matter of opinion, but mine is: absolutely not. No one who is so depressed as to be hospitalized gets cured (as may be the case for many other diseases) and walks out smiling. Such a person is dealing with a lifelong, often debilitating problem.
It doesn’t take much right-brain cogitation on the data points to conclude that Fetterman is a walking wreck. He looks like shit, he says dumb shit, he shirks his duties, and he acts unhinged. A lot. So why is this even a controversy? Absolutely, he should quit his office and focus on self-care going forward.
As for voting on legislation, so long as the result is essentially predetermined, this might not always be worthwhile. It’s unfortunate that the old practice of pairing is no longer allowed in the U.S. Congress.
Now, it may be that Fetterman isn’t putting in a long workweek. But if he was, sitting through long committee meetings might not be the best use of his time.
John Fetterman wholeheartedly and full throatedly endorsed Kamala, which is more than you can say for the majority of the leftists criticizing him now. It’s laughable to pretend that he is the one abandoning the Democrats when you have nonsense like the “Uncommitted” faction.
With him skipping out in votes, driving folks out of his office, and aforementioned embrace of GOP immigration policies, I still hope, though, my speculation is wrong that he’ll cross.
I think there is a huge range of possibilities in terms of satisfaction with the role, mental health, and (let’s not forget) disillusionment with the role of government in Trump 2.0 before we get into cynical team-swapping in search of furthering political goals. If I were in Fetterman’s shoes, the first three (speaking only to my own mental and physical health challenges) it would be more than enough for me to avoid my responsibilities to myself and those who elected me - the reported outbursts, frustration, and anger would be similar if I forced myself to continue under such. AGAIN, speaking only for myself in that same position.
So am I sympathetic if that’s the scenario playing out? Absolutely, but if my WAG is correct, then yes, he needs to resign. He isn’t doing himself or the people he’s supposed to represent any good by remaining in the role.