Topline
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D)’s Senate campaign released an ad Wednesday attacking Republican Mehmet Oz’s remarks on abortion during a Tuesday night debate, after Fetterman’s health took center stage during the event.
This combination of file photos shows Democratic Senate candidate, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John … [+]
Key Facts
The ad highlights a clip of Oz responding to a question on abortion rights by stating he wants “local political leaders,” as well as women and doctors, to be among those making decisions on abortion.
The ad calls Oz “too extreme for Pennsylvania” and tells viewers “Oz would let politicians like [Republican gubernatorial candidate]
Doug Mastriano ban abortion without exceptions,” referring to Mastriano’s hardline stance on abortion.
During the debate, Oz repeatedly avoided giving a direct answer when asked if he would vote for a federal 15-week abortion ban, but said he does not support “federal rules that block the ability of states to do what they wish to do.”
Fetterman said he wants Roe v. Wade codified into law, after the Supreme Court struck down the landmark case guaranteeing nationwide abortion access earlier this year: “The choice for abortion belongs between you and your doctor,” he said.
The ad was released as Fetterman, who had a stroke in May that he says left him with auditory processing issues, faced a deluge of negative reviews over his performance in Tuesday’s debate, in which he frequently paused and sometimes appeared to struggle to find the right words.
Key Background
Oz and Fetterman entered Tuesday’s debate in a near-tied race for retiring Sen. Pat Toomey (R)’s Senate seat, with recent polls showing Fetterman has the edge by just two points. In addition to abortion, the candidates sparred over fracking, Oz’s real estate properties, ending the Senate’s filibuster powers and criminal justice. Fetterman’s health was also a prominent topic. At the start of the debate, he directly addressed his auditory processing issues, telling viewers: “I might miss some words during this debate, mush two words together,” though he refused to commit to releasing medical records during the debate. Fetterman has, however, released letters from his primary care physician and cardiologist stating that he is healthy enough to campaign and serve in the Senate if he continues treatment. During the debate, Fetterman’s lingering communication issues at times appeared evident. He opened the debate by telling the audience: “Hi, good night everybody,” and struggled to explain why he switched from opposing drilling for petroleum using hydraulic fracturing—or fracking—to supporting it, instead repeating “I support fracking” multiple times. Oz, meanwhile, appeared to take several jabs at his opponent’s health: “John, obviously I wasn’t clear enough for you to understand this,” he said at one point.
What We Don’t Know
Whether Pennsylvania voters care enough about Fetterman’s communication issues to cost him the election. Less than 50% of voters in a survey released before the debate Tuesday said Fetterman’s health was an important topic to discuss in the debate, while 55% said they believed he is healthy enough to serve.
Further Reading
5 Takeaways From the Pennsylvania Senate Debate (Forbes)
The Fetterman-Oz Debate Was a Rorschach Test (The Atlantic)
Fetterman Ad Raises Stroke Amid Controversy As Oz Distances Himself From Campaign’s Attacks (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2022/10/26/fetterman-attacks-oz-over-abortion-remarks-in-post-debate-ad/