The next time we are warned about multiple red flags in a primary candidate, folks should pay better attention.

[lapucelle]

Democratic Sen. Fetterman says US strikes on Iran are not "an illegal war"

Democratic Sen. John Fetterman on Sunday defended President Donald Trump’s decision to strike Iran and pushed back on some members of his party, telling CNN, “This was not an illegal war.”

“The War Powers Act has not been violated at this point,” the Pennsylvania Democrat told CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union.” “This was not an illegal war based on terms of the War Powers Act,” he added.

Legal experts have been skeptical of Trump’s constitutional authority to launch new military action against Iran without Congress’ approval. And many members of Fetterman’s own party — as well as some Republicans — have objected to Trump taking action without their expressed approval and are calling for members to return immediately to hold a formal vote.

https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/us-israel-iran-attack-03-01-26-intl#cmm7u7fjy00003j6xmn6hkfg1

[boston bean]

1. I never liked that guy. But he was the progressive leftist candidate. They got burned.

Consider me a liberal.

[RandomNumbers]

9. Yep, but the other guy had some no-deal positions, as I recall

e.g., supporting fracking; claiming he would protect abortion rights but was personally opposed to it (scary for women)

and one that won't hurt him with the left-wing idealists who don't work in technical fields, but is a huge no-deal for me (and most of the electorate for various reasons): supporting RAISING the cap on so-called "high skilled" (*cough* bullshit*cough*) visas and family visas = "Americans are too stupid / expensive so we have to import allegedly smart people"

[Frasier Balzov]

25. Your last objection seems moot now.

An adjustment to how legal immigration could be increased for certain skills?

I would say this has been overtaken by events.

Trump deports indiscriminately.

And a common criticism of Biden is that he allowed non-citizens entry without screening them at all.

I am actively putting Conor Lamb's name forward as a 2028 presidential candidate.

So I am very interested in why I shouldn't. So I don't embarrass myself.

[RandomNumbers]

28. Moot, how? TSF is playing some games with the visa programs,

but they are mostly unchanged. I don't think "import more foreign labor" is a winning message in America right now ... EVEN IF most of us don't like the tactics employed by ICE. (for me particularly, I am in favor of humanitarian immigration -that is allowing in refugees. I just think the H-1B and similar programs are bullshit and harmful to American workers, while not being justified on humanitarian grounds, or any other grounds except helping corporations exploit foreign labor while screwing Americans.)

Back to Lamb.

* Ballotpedia has a statement from his past campaign website. He comes out as very pro-fracking and doesn't mention taking care of the environment ANYWHERE. https://ballotpedia.org/Conor_Lamb

* Wikipedia mentions that he voted AGAINST rescheduling of marijuana, AND FOR weakening bank regulation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conor_Lamb


Combined with his tone-deafness on technology jobs, he would not be my first pick. If he were to become the Dem nominee, I would support him in a heartbeat, and keep my gripes to myself.

[SSJVegeta]

2. Like if all they do is attack and dont actually offer solutions their entire campaign?

...or kick out journalists from campaign events?

[lapucelle]

4. Having voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020 or having worked for Republicans in Texas

are red flags that are very concerning.

[SSJVegeta]

5. "Working for republicans": Like having your campaign pushed by Republicans?

And the RNSC?

[lapucelle]

10. Nope. I mean having worked for Republicans in Texas and then moving to another state

and running as a Democrat.

[SSJVegeta]

11. Welp. There are a couple candidates that have fetterman vibes.

One of those candidates might win their primary. And it is looking like Platner will absolutely win his primary if he maintains his polling lead.. (60%-25% in the last one I saw). But Maines primary isn't till June so hopefully he either isnt as bad as fetterman like i fear, or he loses.... 🤞

[lapucelle]

15. Keep in mind that polls conducted by Progressive Change Campaign Committee are not entirely reliable.

It's an advocacy group that conducts push polls during primaries.

Unlike some polls, we tested Platner AND Mills critiques/rebuttals

Critics of Graham Platner say he is unelectable because of his old Reddit comments on the Internet, where he identifies as a communist, calls white rural people stupid and racist, calls police officers “bastards,” and insults LGBTQ+ people and victims of sexual assault in the military. He also had a skull and crossbones tattoo that critics
say resembled a symbol associated with Nazis.

Platner says he wasn’t aware of the connotations of the tattoo he got with fellow Marines 20 years ago, and has covered it up. He says his internet posts were from a “dark time” when he had PTSD after his military service, and they don’t represent who he is today. He says he’s motivating working-class and rural Mainers, and the Washington Establishment is trying to tear him down because he’ll defeat Susan Collins and bring real change.

Janet Mills is 77 years old, would be the oldest new Senator ever, and won’t release her medical records. Critics say she planned to retire until Washington Establishment politicians recruited her to run — and she’s funded by corporate donors after vetoing a tax on the wealthy as Governor. She also vetoed a bill requiring rape kit testing, vetoed a bill strengthening workers’ rights, and vetoed two bills reducing prescription drug costs.

Mills says she is the only Democrat in the race who can defeat Susan Collins, having been elected Governor twice. She says she shows every day that she is up to the task of standing up to Donald Trump’s overreach and has promised to only serve one term in the US Senate

https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/s3.boldprogressives.org/images/Public_Deck_PCCC_Poll_Nov_2025.pdf

[SSJVegeta]

16. Good to know. Thanks!!

[SSJVegeta]

19. Oh I was actually refereing to the UNH poll.

I saw it on the nytimes collection of polls but didnt realize till just now who conducted it.

https://democraticunderground.com/100221053168

[lapucelle]

23. Hence, my headline.

Caveat suffragator

[aeromanKC]

3. To be fair, he was the Dems best shot at picking that seat up.

Just hope he stays in the Dem caucus before he can be primaried and replaced.

[SSJVegeta]

6. Just hope he resigns before he has time to "discover" he is actually a republican.

[Sweet Rosie Red]

13. Lets start a go fund me

for the first person to resign that seat. Every Dem could kick in $5 every time he pisses us off. If he holds the seat till he can be primaried, it goes to his challenger.

[aeromanKC]

17. I've got my $5 ready!!

[lostincalifornia]

7. and those who think Fetterman's views are the result of his medical episodes are being naive. Those who present

themselves as "populists" seldom seldom live up to expectations, and many time a lot of people get hurt in the process.

History is filled with them.

[sop]

8. If Democrats can take control of the Senate after 2026, or it's evenly split, Fetterman will become a big problem.

[alittlelark]

12. I think he was 'brainwashed' while in the hospital for his stroke

I really do, and I know that sounds cray-cray, but just look at the state of our world now….. the ‘crazy conspiracy theorists’ seem to have been right - but with the wrong ppl…. Projection is rampant.

[Jbraybarten]

24. unfortunately no, there were signs in PA prior to running. We got screwed again.

[La Coliniere]

14. Has this disappointing man from Braddock, PA

taken too many spins on Kennywood Amusement Park’s notorious head banging roller coasters which are just across the river from Braddock? I think perhaps.

[ananda]

18. That's also why we hope Platner loses.

No more DINO's.

[malaise]

21. Ding ding

Rec

[YorkRd]

22. Conner Lamb was a far better candidate

Lamb had flipped an actual red Congressional district but many thought he was to much pro Biden. Now days Lamb protests at ICE facilities and Fetterman is M💩GA

[Wiz Imp]

27. You mean the guy that was endorsed by Donald Trump?

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-tells-donors-lamb-won-pennsylvania-because-hes-like-trump/

[lapucelle]

29. Trump didn't endorse Conor Lamb. He endorsed the Republican: Trump pushes support for Saccone a day before election

Trump pushes support for Saccone a day before election

President Donald Trump on Monday reinforced his endorsement for Rick Saccone a day before Pennsylvania’s special election while at the same time criticizing Saccone’s opponent as being allied with Nancy Pelosi.

“The Pittsburgh Post Gazette just endorsed Rick Saccone for Congress. He will be much better for steel and business. Very strong on experience and what our Country needs. Lamb will always vote for Pelosi and Dems....Will raise taxes, weak on Crime and Border,“ the president tweeted Monday morning.

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/12/trump-rick-saccone-support-454831

======================================

Trump rallies for Rick Saccone ahead of high-stakes Pa. special election

President Trump traveled to Moon Township, Pennsylvania, Saturday night, outside of Pittsburgh to rally for Republican Rick Saccone. The state representative has been struggling to lock-up the special election in a district Mr. Trump won by more than 20 points in 2016. CBS News correspondent Tony Dokoupil reports.

=========================================

Trump Endorses Saccone In 18th Congressional District

The president spoke highly of the state representative last week at an appearance near Pittsburgh.

PITTSBURGH, PA - During a stop near Pittsburgh last week, President Trump called Republican state Rep. Rick Saccone “a real friend and a spectacular man.“ He went even further on Tuesday, formally endorsing Saccone in the March 13 18th Congressional District special election.

“We are pleased to announce our support for Rick Saccone to become the next Member of Congress from the great state of Pennsylvania,” Lara Trump, senior adviser to Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., said in a statement on the Trump website.

“President Trump needs more leaders in Congress who will support his agenda to Make America Great Again. In the 18th District of Pennsylvania, Rick Saccone is that leader. Rick is a highly respected military veteran and faithful family man who will fight for the families of Pennsylvania for more economic growth and opportunities. We believe Rick Saccone will be a great supporter of President Trump in Congress and he has our full support to win his campaign.”

Saccone faces Democrat Conor Lamb, a Marine veteran and assistant U.S. attorney, in the special election to succeed Tim Murphy, who resigned in October.

https://patch.com/pennsylvania/pittsburgh/trump-endorses-saccone-18th-congressional-district-race

[carpetbagger]

26. Agree, but we got backstabbed by the establishment senator last time.

Well-vetted and known, was even the VP nominee in the election before the war.

[Iggo]

31. The next time? Gawd, I hope so. We're already not listening the this time.

[gfarber]

32. Democracy's Fate

There once was a president brash,
Who leapt into war in a flash,
With “Epic Fury” named,
And Congress unclaimed,
He struck with a bombastic dash.

A nation as large as Iraq
Plus Afghanistan stacked on its back,
No case did he plead,
No lawmakers he’d heed,
Just marched down a unilateral track.

“Illegal?” some scholars inquire,
“Both domestic and global,” they fire.
Trump scoffs, “Sue away!
Make my day, if you may—
I’ll litigate slow as I desire.”

The War Powers Act they invoke,
But presidents treat it as a joke;
“Emergency!” they cried,
Or “Treaties!” they’ve tried,
And slipped through each congressional yoke.

If sixty days pass in a blink,
And Congress insists, “Time to think,”
He’ll challenge the law,
Let the courts sit in awe,
While hostilities harden and sink.

Once norms were the guard of the gate,
With trust as the hinge of the state;
But consensus now spurned,
And procedure upturned,
Leaves democracy testing its fate.

So lawmakers quarrel and spar,
As troops bear the weight from afar;
To curb future kings,
They must tighten the strings—
If a republic still knows what we are.

© 2026 Glen Farber. All Rights Reserved.

[EdmondDantes_]

33. I'm not sure he's wrong

The War Powers Act hasn't been violated.

I think the War Powers Act is way too permissive in terms of allowing up to 90 days of military action prior to Congress having to authorize it to continue, especially with the changes in how military battles are fought today compared to 50 years ago.

Like basically everything else Trump has done, attacking Iran was a stupid thing to do and shouldn't have been done. I'm strictly talking about what the War Powers Act says.

Pretty much every president from Washington to Biden has used the military in some fashion without Congress declaring war or some lesser authorization of force (and those lesser authorizations of force are also problematic just on their own). It's a fundamental weakness of the division of powers especially with the long increasing power of the president.

That said, I hope Pennsylvania gets a better senator the next time he's up.