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One of the most astonishing wins of Tuesday night was that of John Fetterman, whose appalling debate performance should have disqualified any candidate. Pennsylvania resident, and assistant editor at Spectator World, Teresa Mull, sheds some light on how it happened, writing:
Dr. Mehmet Oz has conceded to John Fetterman but has yet to say anything publicly, probably because, like many Republicans — myself included — he’s just not sure what to say.
How could Fetterman, a tattooed, scowling, sloppily dressed goon with a concerning and unsightly neck lump (when I Googled his name, “Fetterman neck” was the third suggested search term), whose debate performance a mere two weeks ago was nothing short of pathetic, possibly have defeated a polished, successful, well-spoken heart surgeon for US Senate?
Fetterman’s victory is almost unbelievable, until you zoom out and look at the state of Pennsylvania and most of the country. Reflecting on the rural Pennsylvania town in which I live, I think people who voted for Fetterman did so for a mix of reasons: they relate to him, his looks and style, and they don’t relate to Oz, who perhaps is a bit too polished. They perceived Fetterman as the target of a rich bully, and his “comeback” from a stroke as inspiring. They could also be one of the growing number of people struggling financially, and they viewed Fetterman’s vague, big government campaign promises to “guarantee healthcare” and provide affordable housing as easier, quicker relief to their present desperation than Oz’s more solution-oriented, policy-specific, “I’ll help you help yourself!” message.
Fetterman suffered a stroke a few months ago, rendering him unable to understand people or speak normally. In a sane world, these unfortunate limitations would have led him to withdraw from the race. The Democratic Party and voters would have understood that sound health is integral to a person’s work, and they would have supported an alternative candidate out of respect for Fetterman’s and their own party’s wellbeing.
But that didn’t happen. Instead, Fetterman owned his ill health and turned his stroke into another weapon with which to beat Oz. His campaign turned the tables on anyone who questioned whether his running for office while recovering from a stroke was advisable. Fetterman made himself a victim, and he became a hero for it.
Read more here.
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