Crimson Deception: Fetterman Transfers to IUP as Norm | State

After the United States Senate debate between Democratic candidate John Fetterman and Republican candidate Mehmet Oz, Fetterman is looking for other alternatives to get students interested in his politics.

Here at IUP, the vice governor decided there was only one option for him to reach the students, and that was to go undercover as IUP’s beloved mascot, Norma.

“This decision could be key to Fetterman gaining more fans,” said Matthew Hiller (junior, psychology). “I mean, let’s be honest, everybody knows and loves Norm, like there’s literally no better way for a candidate to get exposure on the IUP campus.”

“Generally, in the world we live in, it’s Norm or bust.”

The decision was proposed by Fetterman’s IUP campaign team and was accepted because it could provide a lot of energy for the campus, which is usually lacking, especially when the breaks are coming up and students only want to leave the campus for a semester.

Despite the risk, the university has assured both students and business leaders that being Norm is completely safe and precautions will be taken to prevent potential harm.

Fetterman’s move stands in stark contrast to Oz’s move, as Oz opted for a traditional political strategy of holding rallies in key cities regardless of the number of young voters in the area. While this is a proven method, some have pointed out the lack of concern for young voters.

“Overall, the importance of the youth vote is incredibly important,” said James Stiles (senior, political science/journalism). “Without these voices, politicians cannot create a base of reliable young people who will be aware of important political issues. If you don’t ally with these people, it will lead to problems down the road.”

Stiles went on to say that he agrees with Fetterman’s move, citing that if he becomes more visible on campus like IUP, it will help him connect with the issues of students on campus as well as students at neighboring schools like Slippery Rock and the University of Pittsburgh.

Despite the benefits and advantages of this for both Fetterman’s company and the university as a whole, there are those who do not support the idea.

“Personally, I don’t want Fetterman anywhere near Norma,” said Rob Publican (freshman, marketing). “I mean, he’s so tall, what if he destroys Norma’s suit forever? I don’t think IUP as an institution can recover from such a blow. It would be like destroying the Statue of Liberty, because it’s a big symbol and really important.”

Whether you agree with him politically or not, be sure to keep your eyes on campus, because every time you see Norm, chances are Fetterman is disguised as everyone’s favorite crimson bird.