Bernie Sanders slams Fetterman as 'way out of touch' with Americans after Graham Platner rebuke

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen Bernie Sanders fired back at Sen John Fetterman, saying Fetterman is “way out of touch” with everyday Americans.

This comes after Fetterman slammed Sanders for not expressing any regret about endorsing Graham Platner, the former Maine Senate candidate now at the center of a scandal. Sanders said Fetterman has lost support within his own party, mainly because he’s moved away from mainstream Democratic positions on issues like Israel.

John Fetterman's attacks on Bernie Sanders over Graham Platner

"Well, my response to Fetterman is last time I saw it, he was reflecting the views of about 19% of the Democrats in the state of Pennsylvania," Sanders said on 'Meet the Press.'

"I think probably lower than any other member of the Democratic Senate. Fetterman does his thing, and I think, on Israel and many other issues, is way out of touch with the people of America," Sanders said.

Sanders seemingly referenced a July Quinnipiac University survey that found 19% of Pennsylvania Democrats approved of Fetterman's job performance, while 69% disapproved.

The same survey found that 77% of Republicans approved of Fetterman, although his overall approval rating among registered voters was 48%.

Fetterman's team highlighted his recent interview with Semafor in response to Sanders. In it, Fetterman had doubled down on his criticism of Sanders after Platner’s campaign collapsed.

"You were the carnival barker for an accused... You should have taken my advice, since you and P-Hustle blew up the Maine race," Fetterman said. "Take responsibility and apologize."

Months of tension over Graham Platner and Israel policy

A lot has gone down between the senators over Platner and the Democratic Party's approach to Israel. 

'Meet the Press' host Kristen Welker played a clip in which Fetterman accused Sanders of helping elevate Platner despite controversies surrounding the former candidate.

"I would be frustrated with someone like Bernie Sanders," Fetterman said.

Asked directly by Welker whether he regretted endorsing Platner before the allegation surfaced, Sanders chose to speak about the substance in Platner's campaign. However, he did acknowledge the seriousness of the accusation that caused its premature end.

"Well, you know, it's easy to be a Monday morning quarterback," Sanders remarked. 

"Platner ran a very strong campaign and, in fact, many of the issues that he's raised are resonating all over this country. A woman made very serious allegations against him; he withdrew from the race, period."

Fetterman had previously demanded Sanders apologize to Maine voters and to those who donated to Platner's campaign.