Resigned Fetterman takes long pause when hit with tough question on CNN

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) appeared annoyed Friday when CNN anchor Kasie Hunt asked him if he was still planning to run for re-election.

The question prompted a long pause from Fetterman, who got defensive with Hunt during the live broadcast.

"I've already filed, I'm fundraising for it," Fetterman said.

"If you look at my campaign, I've already, you know, essentially announced that now, but it's like, why do people keep asking? Why aren't you — get other senators on here and ask them too," he said.

Hunt responded, alluding to how the Democratic senator has at times sided with Republicans and been questioned over his party loyalty.

"You're just in a very unique and interesting position," Hunt said, pointing to his recent establishment of Common Ground PA, a rare bipartisan fundraising effort.

"You just opened a PAC with Dave McCormick (R-PA), the Republican fellow senator from Pennsylvania," Hunt pointed out. "But of course, a Republican. It's very unusual in this political climate. What are you planning on using that joint PAC for?"

Fetterman defended the move and pushed back at Hunt's question, citing the lawmakers' shared interest in the agriculture industry.

"Why is it bizarre when there are plenty of donors that have enough shared interest?" Fetterman asked. "There's a lot of things that Dave McCormick and I are going to work together, you know, and then so I'm not sure why that's really an issue."

With midterms looming, Fetterman vowed he will "never" switch parties.

"It's not some sinister thing," Fetterman added. "I'm not changing my party. If I was going to change this party, I would have done that by now."