On this episode, Ryan sits down with Salena Zito, senior reporter at Washington Examiner, to break down the growing political divide surrounding John Fetterman and what it means for the future of Pennsylvania—and national politics.

Why are Democrats turning on Fetterman? How did his pro-Israel stance and candid warnings about Trump reshape his standing within the party? And why is he gaining surprising support from Republicans?

Zito explains the unique political landscape of Pennsylvania—a true swing state where voters reject extremes—and unpacks the internal battles between establishment Democrats and the progressive wing. The conversation also explores tensions with Josh Shapiro, the 2026 election outlook, and whether Fetterman could face a serious primary challenge.

Plus: a deep dive into the underreported economic boom in AI, energy, and manufacturing across Pennsylvania—and why blue-collar workers may benefit most from the next wave of innovation.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro & Ohio Polling Breakdown
00:57 – Redistricting Fight & Marcy Kaptur’s Tough Race
02:02 – Sherrod Brown vs. John Husted + Viral Campaign Ad
03:01 – Ohio Governor Race: Vivek Ramaswamy in Tight Battle
04:04 – Why Ohio Elections Are Historically Close

05:09 – Main Topic: John Fetterman’s Political Shift
06:12 – Fetterman’s Unique Voting Record vs. Democrats
07:25 – Shock Poll: Collapse Among Democrats, Surge with GOP
08:27 – Israel, Iran & Key Votes Driving Backlash
10:24 – Why Democrats Are Turning on Fetterman

12:27 – Interview Begins: Salena Zito
13:20 – Is Fetterman Hate Real—or Media Driven?
14:39 – Pennsylvania’s Unique Swing-State Politics
15:58 – Fetterman’s Warnings About Trump
16:38 – Regional Divide: Western vs Eastern PA

17:53 – Fetterman vs. Josh Shapiro Relationship
18:53 – Rising Primary Threats & Party Infighting
19:36 – Will Fetterman Ever Switch Parties?

20:23 – Sidebar: Meatballs & Podcast Moments 🍝
21:31 – PA Democrats Losing Ground?
22:42 – Why Republicans Love Fetterman

24:16 – 2026 Outlook: Will Fetterman Face a Challenger?
25:32 – Shapiro’s Presidential Ambitions
27:30 – What the Media Is Missing About Pennsylvania

27:50 – AI, Energy Boom & Blue-Collar Job Growth
29:14 – AI, Jobs & Political Risk

31:06 – Could AI Investment Backfire Politically?
31:44 – Where to Follow Salena Zito

32:21 – Ask Me Anything Segment Begins
32:54 – North Carolina Politics & Fundraising Myths
33:49 – Cooper vs. Whatley Senate Outlook

34:36 – Cooking Segment: Meatball Recipe Tips
35:41 – Social Media Influencers & Political Narratives

36:32 – Taxes, Fraud & Government Spending Debate
38:29 – Immigration, Deportations & Policy Reality
40:18 – Why Democrats Didn’t Pass Amnesty

41:31 – Immigration, Economics & GOP Strategy Debate
44:34 – Final Thoughts & Virginia Election Preview

On this episode, Ryan sits down with Salena Zito, senior reporter at Washington Examiner, to break down the growing political divide surrounding John Fetterman and what it means for the future of Pennsylvania&mdash;and national politics.
Why are Democrats turning on Fetterman? How did his pro-Israel stance and candid warnings about Trump reshape his standing within the party? And why is he gaining surprising support from Republicans?
Zito explains the unique political landscape of Pennsylvania&mdash;a true swing state where voters reject extremes&mdash;and unpacks the internal battles between establishment Democrats and the progressive wing. The conversation also explores tensions with Josh Shapiro, the 2026 election outlook, and whether Fetterman could face a serious primary challenge.
Plus: a deep dive into the underreported economic boom in AI, energy, and manufacturing across Pennsylvania&mdash;and why blue-collar workers may benefit most from the next wave of innovation.
Timestamps
00:00 &ndash; Intro &amp; Ohio Polling Breakdown 00:57 &ndash; Redistricting Fight &amp; Marcy Kaptur&rsquo;s Tough Race 02:02 &ndash; Sherrod Brown vs. John Husted + Viral Campaign Ad 03:01 &ndash; Ohio Governor Race: Vivek Ramaswamy in Tight Battle 04:04 &ndash; Why Ohio Elections Are Historically Close
05:09 &ndash; Main Topic: John Fetterman&rsquo;s Political Shift 06:12 &ndash; Fetterman&rsquo;s Unique Voting Record vs. Democrats 07:25 &ndash; Shock Poll: Collapse Among Democrats, Surge with GOP 08:27 &ndash; Israel, Iran &amp; Key Votes Driving Backlash 10:24 &ndash; Why Democrats Are Turning on Fetterman
12:27 &ndash; Interview Begins: Salena Zito 13:20 &ndash; Is Fetterman Hate Real&mdash;or Media Driven? 14:39 &ndash; Pennsylvania&rsquo;s Unique Swing-State Politics 15:58 &ndash; Fetterman&rsquo;s Warnings About Trump 16:38 &ndash; Regional Divide: Western vs Eastern PA
17:53 &ndash; Fetterman vs. Josh Shapiro Relationship 18:53 &ndash; Rising Primary Threats &amp; Party Infighting 19:36 &ndash; Will Fetterman Ever Switch Parties?
20:23 &ndash; Sidebar: Meatballs &amp; Podcast Moments 🍝 21:31 &ndash; PA Democrats Losing Ground? 22:42 &ndash; Why Republicans Love Fetterman
24:16 &ndash; 2026 Outlook: Will Fetterman Face a Challenger? 25:32 &ndash; Shapiro&rsquo;s Presidential Ambitions 27:30 &ndash; What the Media Is Missing About Pennsylvania
27:50 &ndash; AI, Energy Boom &amp; Blue-Collar Job Growth 29:14 &ndash; AI, Jobs &amp; Political Risk
31:06 &ndash; Could AI Investment Backfire Politically? 31:44 &ndash; Where to Follow Salena Zito
32:21 &ndash; Ask Me Anything Segment Begins 32:54 &ndash; North Carolina Politics &amp; Fundraising Myths 33:49 &ndash; Cooper vs. Whatley Senate Outlook
34:36 &ndash; Cooking Segment: Meatball Recipe Tips 35:41 &ndash; Social Media Influencers &amp; Political Narratives
36:32 &ndash; Taxes, Fraud &amp; Government Spending Debate 38:29 &ndash; Immigration, Deportations &amp; Policy Reality 40:18 &ndash; Why Democrats Didn&rsquo;t Pass Amnesty
41:31 &ndash; Immigration, Economics &amp; GOP Strategy Debate 44:34 &ndash; Final Thoughts &amp; Virginia Election Preview

Dive into the world of data with Ryan Girdusky, an acclaimed American political commentator and writer, on "It’s a Numbers Game with Ryan Girdusky." In each episode, Ryan breaks down the most crucial data on politics, economics, and culture, providing you with the insights you need to stay informed and ahead of the curve. Whether you're a data enthusiast or just looking to understand the numbers behind the headlines, Ryan is your go-to source for in-depth analysis and engaging discussions. Listen to new episodes released every Monday and get the facts that matter - subscribe now and never miss an episode!

Join the conversation and follow Ryan for exclusive insights on X.com/RyanGirdusky and Instagram.com/Ryan.James.Girdusky. Listeners of the podcast also receive a free 30-day trial to Ryan’s National Populist Newsletter at natpopnewsletter.com.

Dive into the world of data with Ryan Girdusky, an acclaimed American political commentator and writer, on "It&rsquo;s a Numbers Game with Ryan Girdusky." In each episode, Ryan breaks down the most crucial data on politics, economics, and culture, providing you with the insights you need to stay informed and ahead of the curve. Whether you're a data enthusiast or just looking to understand the numbers behind the headlines, Ryan is your go-to source for in-depth analysis and engaging discussions. Listen to new episodes released every Monday and get the facts that matter - subscribe now and never miss an episode!
Join the conversation and follow Ryan for exclusive insights on&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.x.com%2FRyanGirdusky&amp;data=05%7C02%7CPodcastPublishing%40iHeartMedia.com%7C59d5813ab3ff4e4cb1ad08dd29fec8dd%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638712896468767069%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=HU2Ye188oTwGBBdwtfa7Zzu7LGCKq6ZuysH2fQpiRPY%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="Verified" data-linkindex="0" data-ogsc="">X.com/RyanGirdusky</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2FRyan.James.Girdusky&amp;data=05%7C02%7CPodcastPublishing%40iHeartMedia.com%7C59d5813ab3ff4e4cb1ad08dd29fec8dd%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638712896468791578%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Td6COXGc%2FuIN2NLjvrAj4emHh81IpBTGvLfPiAxXqoo%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="Verified" data-linkindex="1" data-ogsc="">Instagram.com/Ryan.James.Girdusky</a>. Listeners of the podcast also receive a free 30-day trial to Ryan&rsquo;s National Populist Newsletter at natpopnewsletter.com.

It's A Numbers Game with Ryan Girdusky

On this episode, Ryan sits down with Salena Zito, senior reporter at Washington Examiner, to break down the growing political divide surrounding John Fetterman and what it means for the future of Pennsylvania—and national politics.

It's a Numbers Game: The Numbers Behind Fetterman’s Fallout: PA Politics, Israel Divide & 2026 Power Shifts

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1d7c272c-6871-4e26-bc37-b4330144b159/transcript