# 2022 US Senate Races **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 6, 2020, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327 "2020-10-06T10:26:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 49
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/962 "2022-10-26T17:25:11Z")
Post-debate analysis: > **[Oz, Fetterman spar over abortion, inflation and crime in crucial Pa. Senate...](https://www.aol.com/news/oz-fetterman-spar-over-abortion-023347902.html)** > > The race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey is seen as the Democrats' best chance at flipping a seat. And in the Buckeye State: > **[Why Republicans shouldn't take the Ohio Senate race for granted | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/26/politics/ohio-senate-race-polling-analysis/index.html)** > > Recent polls have suggested the Senate race in Ohio may be tied, but no nonpartisan analyst is treating it as such. ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/963 "2022-10-26T18:30:23Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > _We can all smirk and snark over Fetterman being clearly preferable to Oz regardless of his health, but I’m worried that his performance in the debate is going to give R-leaning independents the excuse that they’re looking for to vote how they want to._ We recently attended a Fetterman rally. He spoke for 15 or 20 minutes clearly and with little difficulty. The format of the “debate” would have worked against almost anyone. I don’t think he should have debated Oz at all. There was nothing to gain by it. Debating a seasoned performer like Oz (who’s as slick a snake oil salesman as they come) would be like me shooting hoops against Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Like you, the independents concern me. People who’ve paid no attention to the candidates’ factual positions and would be swayed by attack ads and events like this. By the way, Oz made a notable gaff. Regarding abortion, he said (over and over again) that the choice should be made between a woman, her physician, AND LOCAL POLITICIANS! I wouldn’t trust the opinions of my local politicians (one who was neck-deep in the insurrection) on how to change a frickin’ lightbulb. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/964 "2022-10-26T21:05:18Z")
The headline in the NYT says it all: **John Fetterman’s Debate Showing Raises Democratic Anxieties in Senate Battle.** > The debate performance on Tuesday night by Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Pennsylvania, left party officials newly anxious, injecting a fresh dose of unpredictability into one of the country’s most important contests less than two weeks before Election Day. Five months after surviving a serious stroke, Mr. Fetterman cut a sharp contrast with Mehmet Oz, a quick-spoken former talk show host, as he haltingly provided answers to questions using closed captioning to accommodate the auditory processing impairments he has been confronting. At times, Mr. Fetterman seemed to pause to seek the right words or offered a jumble of sentences to express his positions. In some cases, he contradicted himself or appeared to state the opposite of his actual view. I can’t get the link to the article to work on my phone but I’m worried he blew it in a big way. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/965 "2022-10-26T22:10:41Z")
Wouldn’t refusing to debate have gone against the image he’s been building up during the campaign? Others, usually Republicans, have been mocked for doing so, so I’m not sure refusal was a reasonable option. Somewhat opposing viewpoint on the debate itself (“somewhat” because there isn’t complete overlap between this and the NYT article): [Fetterman deserves our respect, not ridicule, after the U.S. Senate debate | Editorial](https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/pennsylvania-senate-debate-fetterman-oz-stroke-recovery-20221026.html) ---
**Author:** ![Win\_Place\_Show](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/win_place_show/32/13469_2.png) [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/966 "2022-10-26T23:02:46Z")
Using this interactive 538 tool, if Fetterman and Warnock can both hang on, the chances of Dems holding the Senate go to 92%. And through some algorithm, that would bring Dems up to a 40% chance of getting the House. [Explore The Ways Republicans Or Democrats Could Win The Midterms | FiveThirtyEight](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2022-flip-senate-house/) ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/967 "2022-10-26T23:07:24Z")
White nationalist Nicholas Fuentes has endorsed Fetterman. The only explanation I have is because of Oz’s ethnicity. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/968 "2022-10-27T00:54:44Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Who do you think is more competent? Fetterman or Herschel Walker? For me, the race in Pennsylvania was about democracy and policy. Given the extent of the differences there, I was not going to vote on the basis of abstract competence. So I voted for Fetterman, by mail, without waiting to see a debate. If Fetterman’s stroke recovery plateaus where it is now, he will likely resign. Then Josh Shapiro, who has a comfortable lead in the gubernatorial race, will appoint a center-left Democrat somewhat like himself. By contrast, if Walker wins, and then plateaus in terms of his ability to effectively legislate on the issues he cares about, Georgia Republicans are stuck with him for the next six years. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/969 "2022-10-27T01:03:26Z")
> [@Win\_Place\_Show](#): > > Using this interactive 538 tool, if Fetterman and Warnock can both hang on, the chances of Dems holding the Senate go to 92%. Well, sure. That would be a one seat pick up for the Democrats. In that scenario they can still afford to lose one (i.e. Nevada) and hold the Senate. ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/970 "2022-10-27T01:41:29Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I didn’t see the debate, but why would difficulty speaking make someone incompetent to be in office? Would it be the same for a blind or deaf person? An amputee? We’re not talking about a stutter or a stammer here. The reason that Fetterman has difficulty is because (1) he certainly has trouble understanding what’s being said to him, and (2) he very well may be having trouble processing information from his brain to his mouth. And since a senator’s job consists **entirely** of receiving and transmitting information of one variety or another, it is clear that Fetterman is medically unfit to do the job. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/971 "2022-10-27T01:52:54Z")
Fetterman will continue to improve, and does not have cognitive troubles. There have been many other senators who were in worse shape than he holding office. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/972 "2022-10-27T02:09:53Z")
> [@Bootb](#): > > And since a senator’s job consists **entirely** of receiving and transmitting information of one variety or another, it is clear that Fetterman is medically unfit to do the job. One could alternately say that the core job activities are drafting legislation, and voting on it. Not being lawyers, neither man can do the first. I based my vote on how I think they will vote on the Senate floor, and in committee. There also are non-core activities, like convincing other senators how to vote. Should I vote for someone who is good at getting others to vote in a way I don’t want? No. Deep competence is nice, just as having deep roots in Pennsylvania is nice. But I’d only base my vote on those as a tie-breaker. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/973 "2022-10-27T02:27:20Z")
> [@Bootb](#): > > We’re not talking about a stutter or a stammer here. The reason that Fetterman has difficulty is because (1) he certainly has trouble understanding what’s being said to him, and (2) he very well may be having trouble processing information from his brain to his mouth. I didn’t see that in the clip anymore than other politicians. And having aphasia is not a disqualifier for office. If he had to debate, he could type up his points and have a colleague read it. It’s like saying Patterson was not qualified to be governor of New York because he could read the bills he had to sign. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/974 "2022-10-27T02:37:27Z")
> [@Bootb](#): > > And since a senator’s job consists **entirely** of receiving and transmitting information of one variety or another, it is clear that Fetterman is medically unfit to do the job. Are you a doctor with experience treating stroke patients who has examined John Fetterman? I’m only asking because a doctor with experience treating stroke patients has examined John Fetterman and he disagrees with you. > Overall, Lt. Governor Fetterman is well and shows strong commitment to maintaining good fitness and health practices. He has no work restrictions and can work full duty in public office. > **[Fetterman Medical Report | PDF](https://www.scribd.com/document/601621183/JKF-Health-Letter-10-15#download&from_embed)** > > A letter from Dr. Clifford Chen says John Fetterman is recovering well from his recent stroke. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/975 "2022-10-27T03:49:33Z")
FEC records show that Dr. Chen also donated to Fetterman’s campaign four times. He _might_ be just a tad bit biased. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/976 "2022-10-27T03:52:00Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > He _might_ be just a tad bit biased. He might not be. Come back with something real next time. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/977 "2022-10-27T03:59:23Z")
I prefer to err on the side of caution. Has Lt. Gov. Fetterman been medically evaluated by a doctor who is not also a donor? ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/978 "2022-10-27T04:12:01Z")
So your theory is that Dr. Chen knows that Fetterman is too cognitively impaired to serve in the Senate, but he is still donating to Fetterman’s campaign. And you think that adopting that theory is erring on the side of caution. Hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/979 "2022-10-27T04:42:24Z")
I never said any such thing. Has Fetterman been evaluated by a doctor independent of his campaign? ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/980 "2022-10-27T04:42:42Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Are you a doctor with experience treating stroke patients who has examined John Fetterman? It would have made far, far more sense to ask that question of THIS poster. > [@rocking\_chair](#): > > Fetterman will continue to improve, and does not have cognitive troubles. There have been many other senators who were in worse shape than he holding office. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327/981 "2022-10-27T05:01:44Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > I never said any such thing. Has Fetterman been evaluated by a doctor independent of his campaign? Yes. Dr. Chen is independent of his campaign. Do you think making a donation to a campaign automatically makes the donor part of that campaign? That’s wild, man. > [@Bootb](#): > > It would have made far, far more sense to ask that question of THIS poster. Go ahead and ask that poster. Why are you holding back on making a post that makes so much sense? That said, your deflection is noted. If you don’t want to support your own post you can just not support it. You don’t have to initiate this childish, “He did it too,” game. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327.md?page=48) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-senate-races/922327.md?page=50)