Regulars here know that I have been a defender of John Fetterman on several issues.
One was on the issue of the parole board, which he headed as lieutenant governor.
Some characterized him as wanting to turn all prisoners loose.
That’s unfair, with a tiny drop of truth.
The role of the parole board is to “turn loose” prisoners who qualify for early release. That is its function, and, in reality, some inmates have been wrongly convicted.
Not many, but some. Releasing them was his j-o-b.
Another attack was that he was born rich, never worked a day in his life, and was supported by his father until recently. Not true that he never worked — he worked for nonprofits and never made much money tutoring kids or running the town of Braddock. Some people, given financial freedom, might turn to a lifestyle of pleasure. Fetterman chose public service.
Then there was the story that he pointed a gun at a Black guy a long time ago. True, Fetterman explained, poorly. Did you know that the Black victim endorsed Fetterman for Senate? That was reported by my Daily News colleague Chris Brennan.
I am not doing PR for the guy I playfully called Lurch. I am just the umpire calling balls and strikes. You want to attack him — fine. Just keep it factual. I have even defended Donald J. Trump against unfair attacks, such as him being an anti-Semite. Totally false. These attacks from the unhinged fringe come from both the Left and the Right.
Then, of course, were the taunts that Fetterman would wear a hoodie — his crafty trademark — on the floor of the U.S. Senate.
I mean, how stupid are you? He dressed appropriately as lieutenant governor, right?
So that brings me to the subject of attire, which was remarked upon when he was sworn in.
The New York Times reported that Gisele Fetterman wore a thrift-shop dress, which is her signature, and where it came from. The Times reporter simply said the senator wore a suit. Zero details.
Clearly bias against males. 😁
So I called the senator’s office to learn more.
The phone answerer asked me to call back because the office was still in flux. Fair enough. I waited about two weeks, called press secretary Joe Calvello, couldn’t get to him, but did get an email address.
I sent three emails over the next two weeks and didn’t receive even the courtesy of an acknowledgement. Maybe Lurch is busy getting a new tattoo. I don’t think my request can be blamed for bringing on his attack of lightheadedness.
So here’s where I miss not being with the Daily News. I’m pretty sure I would have gotten service if I were still a staffer.
His attire is a legitimate story angle, and my questions were serious. Here’s my request for info:
Several weeks ago NYTimes and other outlets did some reporting on the Senator’s apparel for the inauguration. At the time, I called for more information, but was asked to call back in a couple of weeks.
I am asking the following:
Where did he get his reported three suits?
What designer or manufacturer?
Where did he buy them?
Colors, material and cost?
Union label?
I had promised readers I’d report on Fetterman’s new look, but I can’t do that without his cooperation.
You let me down, Lurch.
I normally agree with you Stu but here I do not. Why is so important to get information about what Senator Fetterman wears? I do not give a damn about what he, or his wife, wear unless it truly impacts on the work he does. Do you, Stu, have any reason to think it does? If so please enlighten me.
First, remember the adage, Clothes makes the man. (Sexist by today’s standards)
Second, usually male attire doesn’t get talked about because it’s all the same.
NOT true with Lurch, who defined his persona by his choice of hoodie and shorts.
Thus, when he CHANGES, it is news.
I think he would look better in a straitjacket.
Spoken as a true Right fringer 😏
I think the orange-skinned POC would good in prison clothing.
Good luck with the story. Even GQ didn’t have the scoop. When I first started working, I bought 5 suits so I could wear a different one everyday. I even read “Dress for Success.” Then we got “casual Fridays” so I had an extra. Hey, and remember 2-trouser suits? You got two pair of the pants, because they would wear out before the jacket. By the mid-90s we got casual every day, and you only had to wear a suit for client meetings and court. Just about the only place left where lawyers have to wear a suit everyday is the government. Of course it was big tech that started the trend. Before that, any male office worker above the mail room had to wear a suit. What was the newspaper like? You look at the old movies, and even the “bums” wore a suit and tie, albeit worse for wear. Heck, in high school, I was on the debate team, and we had to wear suits for tournaments (and, after a quick google, it appears the kids have to still wear them)–I had a blue plaid 3-piece and fat 70s tie.
This is all to say, most people just don’t wear suits all that often anymore. Just from my now obsolete suit experience, Fetterman’s suit does not look particularly expensive. Certainly not “bespoke” as its fit is not impressive. He didn’t bother to button it the way you are supposed to when standing up. It has the conventional 4-button sleeve, rather than a “transgressive” 3 or 5, or the now obsolete standard Brooks Brothers 2. But, as I said, good luck with pursuing the story. I’d be interested as well.
At the Daily News, maybe the editor in chief wore a suit. Most males wore ties, I guess, but wore jackets only if they were going out of the office to interview someone important.
I am guessing that suits were more the norm for reporters at the New York Times.
Actually, the male NYT reporters wore tuxedos. But because of the decline in circulation and falling revenues, they now wear Speedos. The female reporters still wear evening gowns. Both male and female reporters wear high heels.
😄