'Common sense Democrat' Fetterman appears in video at Dallas convention, pledges to work with Trump

U.S. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania.

U.S. Senator John Fetterman appeared in a video at the opening night of President Donald Trump's midterm convention in Dallas Wednesday evening, declaring that he is a "common sense Democrat" and that he will continue "to work with President Trump."

Fetterman appeared in a video that was just a little more than a minute long and stood in front of a U.S. Steel mill in western Pennsylvania as he addressed the camera, broadly criticizing his own party for its extremism and recent adoption of socialism. He also sung the praises of Pennsylvania's other U.S. Senator, Republican Dave McCormick, whom Fetterman has developed a strong partnership with since the two entered the senate. 

"Yes, I'm a Democrat. Why am I here talking to you today?" Fetterman said in the video. "I'm a common sense Democrat." He then explained his common-sense approach, something that differs from the vast majority of modern Democrats.

"I will always stand for America, reject the extremes, socialism, and anti-American ways of life," Fetterman told the Republican audience.

He then pivoted to introducing his fellow senator from the Keystone State, saying, "Dave McCormick is the kind of senator who gets the job done." He described McCormick as a "great American" despite being in a different political party.

"Yes, he's in a different party, but I'm proud to count him as my great friend. I'm here to introduce Dave McCormick." 

Fetterman then invoked the president, telling Republicans as well as his own constituents, "We will work with President Trump to defend the steel way of life right here in the steel valley."

Not surprisingly, Fetterman's appearance at a Republican event sparked further conjecture that he could be planning to switch parties, which would severely complicate Democrats' chances of taking over control of the senate. But Fetterman downplayed any such idea. 

According to The Associated Press, Fetterman later issued a statement saying he has no plans to switch parties. “I’m a lifelong Democrat who votes overwhelmingly with my party — and should the Senate flip in November, I will still be the 51st vote that I ran on,” Fetterman said in the statement.

Below, watch his video address from Wednesday night.