Is John Fetterman Healthy Enough to Serve in the Senate?

Following the Pennsylvania Senate debate between Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) and Mehmet Oz (R), which displayed to voters Fetterman’s ongoing recovery from a stroke he suffered in May, columnists across the spectrum are debating if the Democratic candidate’s lingering cognitive struggles would prevent him from fulfilling the duties of a U.S. Senator.

What the Right is Saying: Many on the right viewed Fetterman’s performance in the debate as indication he is not fit to serve, and highlighted the numerous times he struggled to process questions and articulate responses. Byron York (Right bias) argued that Fetterman’s team intentionally delayed the debate until after early voting and mail-in ballots had been cast because they knew the candidate’s performance would be a red-flag for voters.

What the Left is Saying: Some on the left drew distinctions between success in public office and success in fast-paced, soundbite-reliant debates. A writer for Slate highlighted two medical professionals who are familiar with strokes and were impressed with Fetterman’s recovery. A writer for CNN Opinion (Left bias) said Fetterman’s decision to participate in the debate resembled "the kind of underdog story Americans love."

Where the Media Agreed: Many sources across the spectrum, regardless of bias rating, noted that Fetterman's debate performance was inhibited by his difficulty speaking, and highlighted Democrats who expressed concern that the debate could have shifted the race in Oz's favor.