Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick: Bipartisanship, Money in DC, Datacenters, Graham Platner

Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick appeared together to discuss their unusual bipartisan partnership representing Pennsylvania, noting they are the only two senators in their respective cycles who flipped seats in their elections. Both attributed their electoral success to building broad working-family coalitions that crossed traditional party lines, including significant Latino and African-American turnout and rank-and-file union members who voted against their union leadership's endorsements.

On AI and data centers, both senators were strongly aligned in opposing a moratorium on data centers, with Fetterman calling it a 'China-first policy' and arguing that America must build the AI infrastructure or cede the race to China. McCormick described hosting a $92 billion energy and innovation summit in Pennsylvania that brought together AI companies, energy producers, and trade unions. Both compared the current opposition to data centers to the early misinformation campaigns against fracking, which Pennsylvania eventually embraced, becoming the fourth-largest natural gas reserve in the world. They argued much of the anti-data-center sentiment is driven by foreign state actors, particularly China, spreading misinformation.

On economic inequality, McCormick acknowledged the K-shaped economy as a serious problem, noting Pennsylvania's median income is $52,000, and that the last decade has been the greatest in history for asset holders while leaving the bottom half behind. He advocated for vehicles like Invest America accounts and school choice provisions in the Working Families Tax Credit Act as market-based rather than government-driven solutions. Both senators pushed back against the idea that more government spending solves economic mobility.

On the filibuster, Fetterman openly admitted Democrats were wrong to want to eliminate it, crediting Senators Manchin and Sinema for preserving it, and called it a hill he would 'die on.' He argued that turning the Senate into a majority-rule body like the House would have profound negative consequences for minority rights and bipartisan governance.

Both senators expressed alarm about extremism in their respective parties. McCormick warned about the lurch toward socialism and anti-Semitism in the Democratic Party, citing Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren campaigning for fringe candidates in Maine. Fetterman condemned Maine Democratic candidate Graham Platner, who has a Nazi tattoo and made derogatory comments about American soldiers, calling it a 'bizarre place to live' as a Democrat. Both agreed that anti-Israel sentiment and anti-Semitism represent a profound betrayal within the Democratic Party.

On money in politics, both noted the absurdity of $500 million being spent in McCormick's race to destroy reputations, with McCormick suggesting the primary process itself drives extremism by rewarding the most partisan candidates. Fetterman noted he refuses to engage in 'rage bait' campaign tactics and maintains 93% Democratic voting alignment despite being targeted from within his own party. Both expressed concern that future election cycles will dwarf current spending levels.