‘John’s got to win,’ President Joe Biden says at John Fetterman fund-raiser in Philly

President Joe Biden framed John Fetterman’s Senate candidacy as a pivotal race for his party, his presidency, and the nation on Thursday night, telling a crowd of about 100 donors, “The rest of the world is looking to this election.”

“The good guys and the bad guys,” Biden said, “we’ve got to win. John’s got to win.”

Speaking inside the ornate Union Trust building in Old City with four American flags behind him on stage, Biden called Fetterman’s race key to protecting Medicare and Social Security and to defending abortion and voting rights, as well as an opportunity to do more on issues like gun control and infrastructure.

“You know there’s a lot more at stake in this race than merely whether a great guy becomes the next senator,” Biden said. “If we do not maintain the Senate and the House this next election, a lot’s gonna change.”

He described the election not as a “referendum,” but “a choice.” “What direction do you want to see this country go in?”

Pennsylvania’s race between Fetterman and Mehmet Oz could be key in determining which party controls the Senate and whether Biden’s legislative priorities advance.

Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel slammed both Democrats in a statement earlier Thursday.

“Joe Biden and John Fetterman embody everything wrong with today’s Democrat Party — radical, careless, and out-of-touch,” she said. “The Keystone State is experiencing sky-high inflation and out-of-control crime because of far-left career politicians like Biden and Fetterman.”

While the president’s approval rating has lagged, he’s held several fund-raisers recently for Democratic candidates and for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. And on Thursday night he took photos with donors — the event was $1,000 a ticket — and then pumped up Fetterman, calling him a man of integrity.

“You would never have to wonder where John stands,” Biden said.

He contrasted Fetterman with Oz, whom he called “a perfect example of a MAGA Republican,” before throwing some local shade.

“He went to high school in Delaware. But Delaware was smart enough to send him to New Jersey.”

The event with Fetterman was a rare in-person fund-raiser with a Senate candidate so far this cycle. It came just five days before what’s expected to be a closely watched Senate debate, one in which Fetterman’s health will be center stage. Money will be key to both Senate campaigns in the final weeks of the race.

» READ MORE: Inflation is still voters’ top concern. We took a look at what Fetterman and Oz say they would do.

Earlier Thursday, Fetterman joined Biden in Pittsburgh, where the president plugged his infrastructure law at the site of Fern Hollow Bridge, which collapsed in January.

“You’re gonna win,” Biden told Fetterman after stepping off Air Force One.

Fetterman, who traveled to Philadelphia on Air Force One with Biden, introduced the president with a salute and a handshake after addressing the audience of donors for about 20 minutes.

He praised the infrastructure bill, which he said would help rebuild the collapsed bridge.

“I don’t praise the infrastructure bill because I’m a Democrat,” Fetterman said, “I’m really cheering it just because I’m a dude that drives over bridges with my kids in the back seat.”

But Fetterman also gave kudos to Biden.

“Elections matter,” he said, “and that bill was a giant win for Pennsylvania.”

Fetterman, who swapped out his signature shorts and hoodie for a suit for the fund-raiser, thanked the donors while noting he’s been outspent in recent months by Oz and Republican super PACs.

“If I had $70 million, I could probably convince you that you were a Cowboys fan,” he said to some groans. “Maybe a little bit.”

He acknowledged the race is looking very close, but touted how he’s never trailed in the increasingly tight polls.

“We’ve been able to push back, and we’ve been able to hold that line — and not only are we still standing after that assault, we’re actually still winning. And we’re proud to be the only of the ‘flippable five’ that has never not been in top on the polls.”

Fetterman made a point to acknowledge State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who attended the event, and to compliment both him and U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, who both ran against him in the primary. Many of the donors at the Philadelphia fund-raiser had backed one of his challengers.

“Especially after my medical issue, I always was wondering, was I the best candidate?” Fetterman said. “But I do absolutely know that I’m definitely a much better candidate than Dr. Oz.”

As he does in stump speeches, Fetterman told the crowd about how his wife, Gisele, recognized he was having a stroke and shamed Oz for his scrutiny of Fetterman’s health.

“What kind of a doctor roots for a person who was sick to stay sick?” Fetterman asked, and who measures a campaign “in how many missed words?”

Biden will be back in Pennsylvania next week with Vice President Kamala Harris to speak at Pennsylvania Democratic Party’s Independence Dinner at the Convention Center.

» READ MORE: How long will it take to get Pa. election results? Here’s what you need to know.

Biden and Fetterman also met in September at a labor parade in Pittsburgh, where the two discussed marijuana decriminalization. The White House reached out to Fetterman’s campaign the day Biden announced he’d pardon all small-possession federal marijuana convictions.

“Let’s not blow it,” Biden said as he ended his remarks Thursday night. “We have enormous opportunities. And I tell you what, I want to be standing next to big John when he wins. Because John, you have character, man, and character matters.”