That’s an old Texas saying often used in a political context. It means that you will remain loyal to the people who have elected you. You don’t turn your back on your supporters, even if it might be in your short term interest, or you had your head turned by a more attractive dance partner.
Senator John Fetterman has forgotten that rule. Before he ran for the U.S. Senate, he had visited Carbon County on at least three different occasions, twice to speak to a club then known as the Carbon County Democrats for Change, once to a “petition party” to gather signatures.
He spoke of his efforts to rejuvenate the Rust Belt town of Braddock, mired in crime and a victim of industries fleeing to foreign countries. He had tattoos listing when murders had occurred in Braddock, and he obviously cared about working families, immigrants (his wife is an immigrant), and he certainly did not look like the slick professional types we so often see. running for office.
In short, he impressed many of us, and when he ran for the U.S. Senate in November 2022. he had the support of dozens of Democratic activists in Carbon County. We sent out postcards, put up yard signs, and canvassed our neighbors. When he had a stroke days before the election, we pressed on, assuming that the press releases from his campaign were truthful and that he would soon be back to his old self. Even his opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz, wished him well and didn’t question his ability to recover, at least not publicly.
Tomorrow: Then what happened...
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