Party of One: Democrats Drunk on Madness, Fetterman Stays Away from Punch Bowl
In his recent commentary, Political Commentator and RAV Talk Show Host Jeff Crouere identifies Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) as possibly the last surviving moderate Democrat in national office — a solitary figure standing between a radicalized party and pragmatic governance. Crouere’s column traces the Democratic Party’s mid-20th-century roots in leaders like Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy, who worked across the aisle and took pride in America, contrasting that era with today’s far-left dominance.
Crouere argues that modern Democratic orthodoxy has shifted dramatically leftward — from Al Gore’s early environmental absolutism to the Obama era and beyond — leaving little room for the kind of common-sense governance once embodied by bipartisan coalitions like the Blue Dogs in the Reagan years. In Crouere’s view, even former centrist figures like Bill Clinton would struggle to win a nomination in the current Democratic landscape.
Within this context, Fetterman emerges as an anomaly. According to Crouere, he bucks the prevailing trend by refusing to be swept into the party’s Trump Derangement Syndrome, often criticizing his own party and occasionally joining Republicans on key votes — most notably as the lone Democrat supporting funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
This pitch highlights Fetterman as a potential bellwether for voters disillusioned with polarized politics: a lawmaker who values country over party and is not afraid to buck ideological pressure from within his own ranks. Whether or not one agrees with Fetterman’s policy positions, the broader narrative — a party moving away from moderation and leaving figures like Fetterman increasingly isolated — is a compelling lens through which to examine the future of the Democratic coalition.
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John Fetterman, the Last Moderate Democrat
OPTIONAL Q&A:
- How does John Fetterman’s willingness to break with his party expose how far today’s Democratic Party has drifted from its moderate roots?
- Is Fetterman genuinely moderate, or does he simply look that way because the party has moved so far left?
- What does the backlash Fetterman faces from fellow Democrats reveal about ideological conformity inside the party?
- Could a figure like Fetterman even survive a Democratic primary in today’s political climate?
- How does his rejection of reflexive anti-Trump politics set him apart from most elected Democrats?
- Does Fetterman represent a vanishing faction of Democrats who still prioritize national security, border enforcement, and bipartisan cooperation?
- What does the disappearance of Blue Dog–style Democrats mean for governing in a closely divided Congress?
- If Fetterman truly is the last moderate Democrat, what does that say about the future direction of the party—and the voters it risks losing?
ABOUT JEFF CROUERE…
Jeff Crouere is a popular political analyst, columnist and radio and television personality. Since January of 1999, he has been the host of Ringside Politics, an award-winning radio program in New Orleans dedicated to examining the top issues of the day on the local, state, national and international levels. The radio show airs weekdays from 7-9 a.m. & 6-7 p.m. CT on WGSO 990-AM, Wgso.com and the “Mixlr” Radio App.
After previously serving as Program Director, in April of 2024, Crouere was named President and General Manager of WGSO Radio, a news/talk station that has been serving the Greater New Orleans area for 78 years.
The television version of Ringside Politics airs nationally on Saturdays at Noon CT on Real America’s Voice TV Network, which can be seen on Pluto Channel 240, Dish Network Channel 219, the Roku Channel, all the platforms associated with the America’s Voice app, as well as Americas Voice. News and Samsung TV Plus Channel 1029.
On his programs, Crouere offers listeners political debate, commentary, and analysis. He explores critical issues from every point of view with a wide variety of interesting callers. In his 25 years on the radio, he has taken over 100,000 phone calls from listeners in every state in the nation.
Crouere has also interviewed 25,000 guests representing all political viewpoints discussing a wide variety of fascinating topics. These guests have included politicians such as former President George W. Bush, former Vice President Mike Pence, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Vice President Dan Quayle, the late U.S. Senator John McCain, U.S. Senator Rand Paul, among many others. His guests have also included scientists, doctors, reporters, community activists, authors, celebrities, musicians, economists, and business leaders, as well as plenty of other contributors who have helped make his show so successful.
He is the author of America’s Last Chance and writes regular political analysis columns and editorials for a select number of print and on-line publications, including The Hayride.com, Townhall.com, Canada Free Press, the Bogalusa Daily News, ResisttheMainstream.com and the Crowley Post-Signal.
Every two months, Crouere hosts a local version of “Politically Incorrect” at the Quarter View Restaurant in Metairie called Politics with a Punch which includes a panel of comedians, politicians, media personalities, and news makers.
He has held many leadership positions in the Louisiana Republican Party, including Deputy Chairman and Executive Director. In March of 2009, he founded the Northshore Tea Party, which has sponsored over a dozen popular citizen rallies attracting presidential candidates like Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum as well as over 10,000 attendees.
As a commentator and analyst, Crouere has been interviewed for his perspective by the Washington Post, the New York Times and national cable television networks such as Fox News, Newsmax, CNN, CNN Headline News, CNBC, and MSNBC.
He provides regular commentaries on the Jeff Crouere YouTube channel and on www.Crouere.net
To schedule an interview with Crouere, email Bookings@SpecialGuests.com or call / text 512-966-0983
