Pennsylvania Lt. Gov John Fetterman, 53, faces off with 62-year-old former celebrity TV doctor Mehmet Oz tonight in Harrisburg, promising to be pivotal moment as Oz showing that he’s closed the gap Fetterman once enjoyed a double-digit lead since the June primary. Fetterman has been dealing with the after-effects of a stroke suffered in May that took him off the campaign train for months. While the Fetterman campaign has denied he has lingering effects from the stroke, a number of journalists who interviewed Fetterman said he’s left with an auditory processing disorder that leaves him dependent on closed captioning because he can’t hear what people say to him without making mistakes. Oz has made a campaign issue over Fetterman’s post-stroke health, something Fetterman has gone to great lengths, including a certification from his doctor, to deny his post-stork deficits.
Fetterman’s job in the debate is to tie Oz to former President Donald Trump who’s promoted his candidacy for U.S. Senate. Oz plans to portray Oz and an anti-abortion conservative that has no heart for women or minorities. Fetterman’s a big supporter of the Ukraine War and Biden’s economic agenda that created the worst inflation in 40 years, pushing the U.S. economy closer to recession. Fetterman hopes to keep the focus on Oz’s residence in New Jersey, an outsider who knows nothing about Pennsylvania politics. Fettterman’s ads call Oz a fraud for running for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. Oz plans to challenge Fetterman to his post-stroke deficiencies that make his fitness for the U.S. Senate questionable, not to mention his liberal politics on crime. Oz needs to show Pennsylvania voters that Fetterman is soft on crime and weak on the economy.
Fetterman has little to say about high gas prices and inflation affecting Pennsylvania voters, leaving him attacking Oz on emotional issues related to the fact that Oz isn’t a long time Pennsylvania resident. “I have not spoke to a Democrat in Pennsylvania or in Washington, D.C. who is not concerned about the debate,” said a senior Democrat strategist who spoke on the condition of anonymity. While the debate is only an hour long, Democrats fear that Oz, a doctor by trade, will expose Fetterman’s post-stroke deficits. With recovery from strokes, the rehab is long an arduous, with most functions returning in the first month, if they return at all. “Even before the stroke, John was not a great debater. Meanwhile, Oz is a showman who spent years in front of a camera, so we know that we are up against, said the unnamed Democrat official. Democrats fear a poor performance, could tip the election.
Fetterman must show Pennsylvania moderand and independents that he’s functions high enough to do his job in the U.S. Senate. Feterman plans to take depate questions tonight with closed capitioning. He admits he misses words and meanings when something gives verbal commands, attesting to his auditory procession disorder. Having his personal doctor vouch for his competence reassures no one. Voters wants to see that the 53-year-old can respond the give0and-take in the first and only debate. “In January, I’ll be feeling much better, but Dr. Oz will still be a fraud,” Fetterman said, showing his nasty side. Fetterman or his doctors have no idea when over every hell recover his post-stroke deficits. “He hasn’t help back and I don’t expect him to hold back. He doesn’t have to because it’s the truth,” said Vla Biancaniello, a GOP committeeman from Philly.
Oz plans to go after Feterman’s track record on crime as Attoney General. Oz say Fetterman’s liberal policies on crime-and-order have made Philadelphia one of the most dangerous big cities in America. Fetterman aligns with the Black Lives Matter view that the criminal justice system is “unforging and vicndictive,” requiring urgent change. Oz won’t hesitate to point out Fetterman’s track records on letting criminals back on the streets to re-offend. But whatever the issues, the debate will center on whether Fetterman can perform his job as U.S. Senator without restrictions. Oz contends that Fetterman’s post-stroke recovery makes him a liability in the Senate. Serving on the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, Fetterman has pardoned violent criminals all because they were a product of a dysfunctional criminal justice system. Oz wants to do everything to expose Fetterman’s weakness in the debate.
Oz and Fetterman’s clash tonight could decide the composition of the U.S. Senate, currently at 50-50, leaving 58-y Vice President Kamala Harris the decisive vote. If Fetterman stumbles in the debate tonight, it could turn voters to Oz, knowing they can’t vote for someone with as neurologic disability. Fetterman wants to keep Oz on the defensive, calling him a fraud and heartless for picking on his post-stroke condition. “The Oz campaign has been strategically smart,” said Chris Borick, a pollster at Mullenberg College. “The are making large ad buys on the crime issue in the Philadeppha media market and running them on shows that skew to older audiences,” said Borick. Fetterman will portray Oz as a heartless carpetbagger, knowing nothing about Pennsylvania politics. Oz just needs to let Fetterman show his post-stroke symptoms to change votes.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
