Post Politics Now It’s debate night in Pennsylvania, as Fetterman and Oz square off

On social media, some viewers seemed to question the format of the debate and whether rapid-fire debates are truly accessible for people who rely on captions, such as John Fetterman.

Johnathan Perkins, an equity and higher education lawyer who is originally from Philadelphia and now is based in Los Angeles, wrote on Twitter that he was rethinking disability equity after watching Tuesday night’s debate, in which Fetterman seemed to stumble on some answers, or at times took several seconds to respond after being asked a question — presumably because he may have been waiting to read the captions, which had a slight delay.

Following the debate, Republicans immediately jumped on Fetterman’s performance, highlighting clips where the candidate misspoke or did not answer clearly. The Republican National Committee, for example, tweeted a clip of Fetterman saying, “I do not believe in supporting the Supreme Court.”

The Fetterman campaign anticipated such attacks and sought to curb expectations for his performance in the debate, appealing to Pennsylvanians’ empathy as he recovers from his May stroke. Even in his opening statement, Fetterman acknowledged that he might miss words or mush words together, which he did during the debate.

Fetterman said he would support Biden if he runs for reelection in 2024, a question Democratic candidates have grappled with on the campaign trail amid Biden’s low approval numbers.

“If he does choose to run, I would absolutely support him, but ultimately that’s only his choice,” Fetterman said.

Oz, likewise, said he would back another run by Donald Trump, but he did not immediately embrace the former president, who helped secure his primary win and has endorsed his campaign.

“I’ll support whoever the Republican Party puts up,” Oz said. Pressed further, he said, “I would support Donald Trump if he decided to run for president.”

Mehmet Oz, the GOP Senate candidate for Pennsylvania, said he’ll support former president Donald Trump if he runs for president in 2024.

Oz, who has Trump’s endorsement in the race, at first appeared to pivot away from the question, telling moderators that he will support whoever “the Republican Party puts up.” He then began to make an argument as to why he’s the best candidate to pursue bipartisanship in Congress.

Asked why he wouldn’t fully commit to supporting Trump in 2024 if the former president is backing him now, Oz backtracked.

In response to a question about releasing his full medical records, Fetterman defended his readiness for office, citing his doctor’s judgment.

Republicans, including Oz, have questioned Fetterman’s ability to serve following his May stroke.

“My doctor believes that I’m fit to be serving, and that’s what I believe is where I’m standing,” Fetterman said. Throughout his campaign, Fetterman has sought to convince voters that his recovery will not impact his ability to serve in the Senate if elected.

Fetterman was asked about a statement he made in 2018, in which he told an interviewer he did not support fracking and never would.

On the campaign trail, Fetterman has said he supports the practice.

Asked about it at the debate, Fetterman said he supports fracking and has always done so.

“I always believe that independence with our energy is critical,” Fetterman said.

Asked again about his previous statements on fracking, Fetterman doubled down on his support for the practice.

In 2016, Fetterman supported a fracking moratorium in Pennsylvania, arguing that the moratorium should hold until two conditions were met: “An extraction tax, & the strictest enviro regulations in this country.”

Oz defended his years as the host of the “Dr. Oz” medical show where critics say he promoted dubious, miracle cures for weight loss and other illnesses.

“I never sold weight loss products as described in those commercials,” Oz said, referring to ads that allege he made a profit off the supplements he promoted. “It’s a television show like this is a television show. … I ruffled a lot of feathers on my show because I told people the truth and I’m proud of that.”

Fetterman has hammered Oz over claims he made during his 13 years on television, using old clips of Oz’s show that he says show that Oz is a showman.

Pennsylvania Senate GOP candidate Mehmet Oz categorically declined to support a federal ban on abortion as it has been proposed under a bill introduced by Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.).

“If the vote were held today and you were elected senator, you’re on the Senate floor, the clerk calls you there’s a roll-call vote. Are you a yeah or nay?” the moderator asked Oz. “How would you vote on the Lindsey Graham bill? You have 30 seconds.”

“I don’t even need 30 seconds,” Oz said. “I’ll give you a bigger answer: I am not going to support federal rules that block the ability of states to do what they wish to do. The abortion decision should be left up to states.”