Democratic Senate nominee John Fetterman seems to be in no rush to debate his Republican opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz.
The reason for this, some Democrats laughably argue, is that it’s still too early in the cycle for the two candidates to spar on stage. With less than eight weeks (!) to Election Day, what’s wrong with Fetterman than he won’t reveal himself from the basement?
There could be a number of reasons including his health and also the fact that with a slight polling lead, he can afford to keep hiding.
Democrats sense a small sea change in the race so they’re now inclined to defend Fetterman’s decision to stay hidden and avoid a debate:
As the hotly contested race enters the critical two-month general election stretch, Democrats are advising Fetterman to hold to his strategy as GOP nominee Mehmet Oz and other Republicans allege that Fetterman may not be physically able to serve as a U.S. senator. That means not rushing into an early debate with Oz and remaining selective about public appearances.
“Listen, Fetterman doesn’t need to debate him right now,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). “Because he’s ahead. It’s still early. I think, ultimately, he will [debate]. And why should he help Oz’s campaign? Why does he need to do it now?”
Fetterman agreed to debate “later in October” but that means we’re talking just days, a week at most, from Election Day on Nov. 8.
What’s happened recently is that more voters are paying closer attention to the racer and considering whether Dr. Oz, for all his faults, could be a worthwhile choice over the far-left Fetterman. The campaign from Fetterman’s side has basically become an onslaught of social media mockery of Oz, a ripe target, to be sure.
The problem for Oz will be whether he can capitalize on this slight momentum shift by convincing voters that he’s not a quack TV doctor or some oddball, and a televised debate would be a good place to do that.
Which… is exactly why Fetterman is avoiding the debate stage with Oz.
Democrats call Oz’s request for a debate an attempt to “trap” Fetterman which is a pretty immature way to describe a decision to avoid press scrutiny and avoid talking about the issues voters care about:
Democrats warn that Oz is trying to trap Fetterman in a frantic attempt to regain momentum after trailing in every public poll this summer. Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Gary Peters (D-Mich.) said Fetterman is “getting better every day. I’m completely comfortable” with his recovery.
“He just has to keep doing what he’s doing,” Peters said. Republicans’ focus on Fetterman’s health, he added, “shows desperation, they know they’re in trouble, big trouble. I’m confident we’re going to win in Pennsylvania.”
In terms of polling, Fetterman has been unable to crack that 50% mark, and recent numbers show Oz down by just five or four points depending on the poll. In other words, there are plenty of undecided voters waiting to make up their minds on this one and a debate would be a great way to showcase each candidate.
Oz has been relentless in hammering Fetterman for debate ducking and it may be paying off. Why can’t voters see and hear from both candidates side by side? Oz has made mistakes but has been pretty solid in recent weeks, crudités aside.
Fetterman can joke about Oz’s attempt to connect with voters, but he can’t joke about Joe Biden’s bad economy or skyrocketing inflation.
