In a rather intriguing display of political congeniality, Democratic Senator John Fetterman took the opportunity to outline his stance on some hot-button issues during an appearance on a conservative news platform. With the kind of charm that could disarm even the most stalwart conservative critic, Fetterman acknowledged the tensions in political discourse today. He urged for a collective cooling down of political fervor, advocating for a more fact-driven approach to governance. Notably, Fetterman stood by his belief that securing the border and responsible immigration enforcement are reasonable goals, even if his party sometimes seems to forget that posturing alone won’t solve the issues at hand.

While Fetterman and his conservative host exchanged views on border security and the recent turmoil in Minneapolis, Fetterman placed emphasis on a statistic that might have some clutching their pearls. Tending to stray from his party’s more extreme stances, he bore down on the reality that a significant portion of those under ICE scrutiny face criminal charges. This isn’t exactly the kind of feel-good mantra many in his party would put on a bumper sticker, but Fetterman’s refreshingly straightforward approach is causing quite the stir. Of course, he quickly reminded everyone that compassion and strong policies can coexist—even if getting there seems harder than finding a Pittsburgh fan in Philadelphia.

But Fetterman’s pragmatism doesn’t stop at immigration. Apparently, not just content to be a maverick in border discussions, he seems to pry open a can of worms on foreign policy as well. Fetterman made the bold declaration that strong measures against hostile regimes, like Iran’s, are worth pursuing because they foster regional peace. Now, that’s a twist you don’t hear from many in the Democratic camp, and certainly not one that pairs well with tofu.

Adding to the intrigue, Fetterman’s exchanges took a nostalgic turn, revisiting a time when Democrats’ actions reflected a stronger stance on deportation—a time Presidents Obama and Clinton might recall with a hint of pride. This walk down memory lane raised the question of why today’s rhetoric has swerved so wildly. As Fetterman envisions an ideal where dialogue trumps partisan dogma, one can’t help but wonder if he’s trying to usher in an era of bipartisanship, or if he simply enjoys watching his fellow Democrats squirm.

For all his tough talk and staunch stances, Fetterman doesn’t forget to sprinkle a little light-heartedness into the discussion. In what could be interpreted as the most bipartisan move of all—engaging in a fun, albeit risky, football wager—he demonstrated that politics doesn’t always have to be a blood sport. Despite losing a bet and facing the sartorial hazard of wearing humble Texan swag, Fetterman’s willingness to laugh at himself is both endearing and all too rare in our oft-polarized climate. Perhaps the senator’s approach is one we could all take a page from—a manual for the brave, humor-infused pragmatist in the arena of modern politics.