Fetterman, whos been frequently fleeing from debating Dr. Oz has pointed to multiple reasons why he’s unable to. Fetterman’s stroke earlier this year has been a reason to avoid debates, and Fetterman said he would continue campaigning, but was then not seen until August. In August, Fetterman began making public appearances again, including a fundraising event in the Hamptons. Not the best look for someone who considers and adversities himself as a Socialist. Since Fetterman’s stroke, there’s been speculation of long-term damage, as some have said he’s now having difficulty explaining his thoughts clearly and speaking in prolonged sentences.
Fetterman has a long history as a politician, and originally took office in 2006 as Mayor of Braddock. Fetterman, with his long history in politics, should feel more than comfortable debating political newcomer Dr. Oz, yet Fetterman decides to flee the debate for months on end instead. Fetterman has finally decided to debate Dr. Oz after months of requests from Dr. Oz, and then followed by stalling from Fetterman.
Republican Pennsylvania Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz is pressuring Democratic candidate Lieutenant Gov. John Fetterman to pick a time and place for a debate that Fetterman says he has agreed to.
Fetterman, who suffered a stroke earlier this year and has since shown significant difficulty speaking at length, agreed to debate Oz after weeks of staying out of the public spotlight.
The Democratic nominee has shunned the press and avoided lengthy speeches since returning to the campaign trail. When speaking, Fetterman has shown difficulty articulating his thoughts or maintaining long sentences.
Fetterman’s commitment to a debate came during an interview with Politico, in which Fetterman, the current lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania, said he is “absolutely going to debate Dr. Oz.”
“We’re absolutely going to debate Dr. Oz, and that was really always our intent to do that,” Fetterman said. “It was just simply only ever been about addressing some of the lingering issues of the stroke, the auditory processing, and we’re going to be able to work that out.”
While it is unclear which debate Fetterman will take part in, he said it will be featured on a “major television station” in the state and will take place “sometime in the middle to end of October.”
Health issues are a cause for concern to voters. If Fetterman isn’t healthy enough to have long speeches or debates, he surely can’t be healthy enough to be a Senator. While Fetterman is still polling ahead of Dr. Oz, a debate against Dr. Oz may be enough to spark the Dr. Oz campaign with a good showing, especially since voters are concerned with Dr. Oz’s lack of political experience.
