John Fetterman’s performance was center stage in lone Pa. Senate debate against Mehmet Oz

Democrat John Fetterman pledged to fight for working people but struggled at times to articulate his views during a high-stakes U.S. Senate debate Tuesday night, while Republican Mehmet Oz tried to claim the center lane politically but frequently dodged policy specifics.

Fetterman’s performance, answering live questions in 30- and 60-second responses on stage, though, is likely to be the most scrutinized part of a debate that has drawn national attention — both for the importance of the Pennsylvania campaign, and for the widespread focus on Fetterman’s recovery from a May stroke.

Fetterman appeared to be able to follow the debate and engage in the conversation, but he often struggled to elaborate on his answers. He spoke haltingly and at times mixed up words, something he has admitted is a lingering speech issue related to his stroke. Such communication challenges are common in stroke victims, but are not cognitive problems. He used closed captioning, visible to both candidates, to follow the questions and answers from Oz.