Rise of the 'Fetterman Republicans'?

At RealClear Politics, Frank Miele considers the possible cross-party, Reaganesque appeal of Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman. Miele, a conservative, concedes that he doesn't agree with many of the Senator's positions, but notes:

He is one of the few U.S. senators of either party who seems to follow his conscience instead of party bosses, and he speaks with simple straightforward authenticity that is sadly lacking among almost all elected officials.

That last would come as a welcome break from Trump's bombast, rambling, and thin-skinned touchiness. But more important, while some of Fetterman's positions -- such as his acceptance of "climate change" catastrophism -- concern me, Fetterman seems like a reasonable person, who has changed (and would change) his mind when confronted by facts or solid arguments:

On quite a few issues, Fetterman has planted himself firmly on the side of reason and tradition. He supports Israel's right to defend itself 100 percent, and reminds his radical colleagues that Hamas started the Gaza war and has only itself to blame for the deadly outcome. Likewise Fetterman enthusiastically supported President Trump's decision to decimate Iran's nuclear capability with a bombing sortie that left no doubt that Trump would follow up his words with actions. In both cases, Fetterman angered his fellow Democrats and won new supporters among Republicans.

On other issues, he has staked out a position as a sensible reformer. Originally against fracking, for instance, he has moderated his position to acknowledge the importance of fracking for keeping energy prices low, but insists on environmental protections being in place. Perfect position for an independent.

...

Most of his positions ... fall on the same side as the majority of Americans. His support for abortion rights may rankle many Republican politicians, but polling shows that most people agree with him that abortion is a choice "between a woman, her doctor and a God if she prays to one."

Miele partly addresses the concerns of people like me who view Fetterman with skepticism, given his "progressive" past: Some of Fetterman's positions have since become mainstream, and he has changed his mind about some. (In my mind, while the former isn't ideal, in that it would thwart efforts to walk back from them, it also means less new damage would likely come from his support for those positions than if they weren't already mainstream.

Miele's column is thought-provoking without being Pollyanna-ish about what supporting Fetterman would entail for Republicans and right-leaning (or formerly right-leaning) voters, and he ends fittingly:

Maybe no one's calling themselves a Fetterman Republican yet, but as the rest of the politicians beclown themselves over the next year, I suspect they will.

Given that Donald Trump and the MAGA swamp are completely discrediting the party that let them take it over, normal Americans need to give serious thought to which Democrat might be his best or least-bad successor.

Trump is otherwise paving the way for a President Ocasio-Cortez or worse.

-- CAV