In what might be the most unusual political pairing Pennsylvania has seen in recent years, Sens. Dave McCormick and John Fetterman are teaming up for a joint public event in Pittsburgh this Saturday. This rare bipartisan moment, centered around McCormick's new book, has sparked a whirlwind of reactions, and not all of them are warm and fuzzy.

Activist groups, including Mondays Without McCormick Pittsburgh and Indivisible Pittsburgh, are gearing up to protest the event, calling on both senators to engage with constituents through town halls instead of book signings. Former Rep. Conor Lamb, Fetterman's opponent in the 2022 Democratic primary, didn't hold back in his criticism, accusing Fetterman of ignoring his role during crucial political moments, including President Donald Trump's second term. Lamb took aim, saying, "Instead, it sounds like he’s going to be listening to Dave McCormick and cheering on Dave McCormick’s book signing." Ouch.

While McCormick has been active in hosting public meetings, Fetterman has been notably absent from Pennsylvania's town hall scene for over two months now. This has fueled the protest momentum, with critics accusing both senators of prioritizing book sales over addressing pressing issues like education cuts and food program reductions.

The event, originally scheduled at City Winery, has now been moved to an undisclosed location, but protesters are undeterred, planning to gather in Pittsburgh's Strip District. The Facebook event invite reads more like a rallying cry than a polite RSVP: "Join us to tell them NO! NO to dismantling the Department of Education. NO to defunding SNAP and programs that feed our kids. NO to cuts to NIH. And NO to attacks on our democracy." Clearly, the gloves are off.

McCormick and Fetterman’s wives, Gisele Barreto Fetterman and Dina Powell McCormick, will join the discussion, adding yet another layer to this unfolding drama. The book, titled "WHO BELIEVED IN YOU?," focuses on transformative mentorship, and the $32 event fee includes a copy of the book. However, protesters have not been shy about mocking the "paid book event" as tone-deaf amid the broader political unrest.

Both senators have previously traded barbs during McCormick's senatorial campaign, yet they seem to have found common ground since McCormick took office last year. From supporting the Philadelphia Eagles together at Super Bowl LIX to breaking bread in January, their budding camaraderie has been surprising, to say the least. Even McCormick has described Fetterman as a "voice of reason" on issues like border security and fentanyl. Apparently, politics does make strange bedfellows.

While some voters appreciate Fetterman's willingness to cross party lines, many Democrats are less than thrilled. Lamb didn’t mince words, accusing Fetterman of prioritizing “trashing the Democratic Party” over delivering results. "He wasn’t put in office to be a political commentator," Lamb said. "He was sent to office to get results." Talk about a mic drop.

The event promises to be a spectacle, whether you're there for the book discussion or the protests. One thing's for sure: Pennsylvania voters are watching closely, and their dissatisfaction spans across party lines. Whether this bipartisan moment will lead to meaningful collaboration or more political drama remains to be seen.

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