Fetterman blasts Democrats who criticized him for shaking Trump's hand at State of the Union

U.S. Senator John Fetterman.

U.S. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania made the rounds on cable news Wednesday to discuss reaction to President Trump's State of the Union address a night earlier, and reaction to him shaking Trump's hand before the president delivered his speech. Fetterman also answered questions on the attire he wore for the event. 

On CNN, Fetterman told Kasie Hunt of fellow Democrats, "I do think we have to find a way if we can be in the same room. We can disagree on things. You don't have to sign off on everything. You don't have to agree with everything. And now, if I hear something that I agree with or I like -- hey, I'm going to stand up and clap for those things."

Fetterman added, "If someone's angry that I shook the president's hand as he walked in, that's on them." Hunt at one point steered the conversation toward Fetterman's wardrobe at the State of the Union. “Some people were surprised you wore a suit and tie,” Hunt pointed out, alluding to the many comments on social media.

“I'm not sure why that's news," the senator responded. "Yes, I do dress like a slob, but ... I'm going to respect the event. Respect that's the dress code.”

During an appearance on Fox News, Fetterman slammed some Democrats who were in attendance for shouting during Trump's speech, saying the office of the president should be respected no matter who the president at the time is. 

Fetterman also took issue with those in the party who boycotted the State of the Union address in favor of some counter-events that were held in D.C. while Trump was making the address. At one of the events, people wearing frog costumes pranced around the stage, and a man wearing a giraffe costume made an attempt at standup comedy. 

As for the counter-events, Fetterman's assessment was notably succinct and strategy-focused. “I don’t believe as a Democrat that dancing frogs really move the ball for us."

In his remarks on CNN, Fetterman struck a unity tone that is reminiscent of 1990s' U.S. politics or earlier. "If we refuse to talk to the other side, that's the only one that really loses," Fetterman says. "That's America." According to a new poll from Quinnipiac University, Fetterman's recent messaging has been resonating across the aisle, with support for the Pennsylvania Democrat surging over the last three years.