With questions swirling about Senator John Fetterman’s political future after the newly elected lawmaker was hospitalized for depression last month, Pennsylvania’s Democrat governor said that there are no plans to replace him despite ongoing concerns over his fitness for the stressful position that he now holds.
Despite obvious health issues as a result of a stroke that he suffered prior to the state’s primary that many believe should have spurred him to withdraw from the race, the hulking, tattooed, hoodie-clad leftist was able to bamboozle enough voters to win November’s election against Trump-endorsed celebrity physician Dr. Mehment Oz to replace retiring Sen. Pat Toomey, largely due to the media which portrayed him as a heroic figure even if ample evidence suggested that his candidacy was problematic.
But the reality of the matter is that Fetterman is unwell and was hospitalized for two days in early February after he felt lightheaded and, shortly thereafter, checked into Walter Reed Army Medical Center to be treated for depression where he has remained incommunicado for the last two weeks with his office saying that he “remains on a path to recovery,” without providing any further details.
On Monday, Governor Josh Shapiro sat down with NBC News for an interview during which he sought to allay concerns over Fetterman’s deteriorating health and dismissed the possibility of a special election to allow Pennsylvanians to rectify their mistake in sending a mentally incapacitated man to Washington D.C. as their representative for the next six years.
According to Shapiro, he expects Fetterman to return and that he will “serve for a good long while.” He also insisted that there is no contingency plan to replace the Keystone State’s new senator if he decides to step down due to his health problems.
“There is no contingency plan and it is 100% Senator Fetterman’s decision as to what he will do in the future,” the governor told NBC’s Dasha Burns.
“I’m proud of Senator Fetterman for getting the help that he needs and I’m there for Gisele and their family. And I know the people of Pennsylvania I’ve talked to are encouraging him along to get the help that he needs,” Shapiro added.
Meanwhile, Fetterman’s ongoing absence isn’t going unnoticed by Twitter users.
A sitting U.S. Senator was admitted to a hospital nearly 2 weeks ago, we have received no updates about his condition, the press refuses to ask questions, and his wife left the country with their kids.
What is going on with John Fetterman?
— Monica Crowley (@MonicaCrowley) February 27, 2023
John Fetterman, a sitting United States Senator has not been seen or heard from in nearly two weeks but the trash corporate media refuses to ask one question.
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) February 27, 2023
If you think the Democrat party cares about anything other than personal power – look at what they did to John Fetterman.
— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) February 28, 2023
The Democrats would literally keep John Fetterman in a freezer for the next 4 years if it helps them keep control of the Senate
They are tuly the party of pure evil— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) February 28, 2023
Is John Fetterman Cryogenically frozen somewhere until a cure for brain dead is discovered?
— Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) February 28, 2023
Spotted John Fetterman in the hospital window … pic.twitter.com/XkfWAoib8L
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) February 28, 2023
The people of Pennsylvania deserve a press conference from the office of John Fetterman. His chief of staff and a medical doctor should appear to discuss his condition. Nothing less is acceptable. Pennsylvania deserves answers.
— Mark Mendlovitz (@MendlovitzMark) March 1, 2023
The Washington County, Pa. Republican party has called on Fetterman to resign and for a special election to be held to replace him later this year.
“Because of the now confirmed lies that were told during the 2022 general election regarding the health of Senator John Fetterman, as well as the threats made against a journalist who interviewed him, the Washington County Republican Party refuses to take assurances from the Office of the Senator or Democrat operatives that Fetterman is able to carry out his duties as Senator. As such, we call upon Senator Fetterman to appear on camera to show us he is alive and well, and if he is unable to do so, we call upon our elected Representatives in Washington, Senator Casey and Congressman Reschenthaler, to intervene immediately,” wrote Sean Logue, the county party’s chairman on Facebook.
(Image: Screengrab/Facebook)
“Ultimately, if Fetterman is unable or unwilling to carry out his duties as a United States Senator, then we ask for his resignation and call for a special election to be held this year; no more lies or games,” Logue said.
“He’s going to get the help that he needs … and do a great job for the people of Pennsylvania as their senator for a long time,” Shapiro said in a previous interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, adding that he hadn’t faced pressure from establishment Democrats to compel Fetterman to resign.
“And if I did, I would dismiss it immediately,” the governor said.
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