The LuLac Edition #4, 835, November 2nd, 2022

 

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY 

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This week we present an editorial from The Citizens’ Voice and Shamrock Communications regarding the U.S. Senate race.

FETTERMAN IS PREPARED AND ABLE TO SERVE

Much has been made during the closing weeks of the U.S. Senate campaign of Democratic nominee John Fetterman changing his position on the state’s natural gas industry. He first opposed fracking but then supported it as a candidate.

But across the breadth of issues and the depth of experience relevant to this important race, Fetterman is a model of consistency compared to his Republican opponent, Mehmet Oz — in terms of specific issues that affect Pennsylvania and the nation, and more important, in terms of his commitment to public service.

Oz infamously changed his residency from his sprawling mansion above the Hudson River in New Jersey to seek the Senate seat in Pennsylvania, due not to any particular affinity f Oz’s opportunism

But Oz’s more important act of opportunism is in abandoning his former moderation and diving head-first into the far-right pool to win former President Donald Trump’s base and secure the Republican nomination.

Just a few years ago, Oz favored the Affordable Care Act, but now says he would repeal it. He once recognized gun violence as a public health menace that requires a smarter approach, but now says he would oppose sensible gun-safety measures, such as red flag laws to reduce the number of suicides and murders.

Now, he has embraced the old and badly worn far-right playbook of fear-mongering about crime.

Unlike Fetterman, the current lieutenant governor and former four-term mayor of the small and gritty borough of Braddock in Allegheny County, Oz has no record of public service.

Oz was an accomplished heart surgeon and, off of that reputation, became a television talk-show celebrity. He squandered much of his credibility, however, by hawking assorted “miracle cures” and nostrums while surely knowing it was hokum. Or the commonwealth or its people, but simply because the seat is open due to Republican Pat Toomey retiring.

Stroke far from disqualifying

The doctor also does not have an exemplary bedside manner. His campaign shamelessly attempted to exploit Fetterman’s stroke for political gain, with his spokeswoman snarkily declaring that “if John Fetterman had ever eaten a vegetable in his life, then maybe he wouldn’t have had a major stroke and wouldn’t be in the position of having to lie about it.”

Fetterman suffered a major stroke a few days before the May primary and, as a result, has had a truncated campaign as he recovers. He demonstrated the impact of the Stroke far from disqualifying

The doctor also does not have an exemplary bedside manner. His campaign shamelessly attempted to exploit Fetterman’s stroke for political gain, with his spokeswoman snarkily declaring that “if John Fetterman had ever eaten a vegetable in his life, then maybe he wouldn’t have had a major stroke and wouldn’t be in the position of having to lie about it.”

Fetterman suffered a major stroke a few days before the May primary and, as a result, has had a truncated campaign as he recovers. He demonstrated the impact of the stroke during the debate, speaking haltingly and struggling to compose answers. His own doctors and independent experts have said that Fetterman’s auditory processing issue does not indicate any mental impairment that would preclude him from serving in the Senate. Indeed, current senators Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Ray Luján of New Mexico have remained in office and served effectively after suffering strokes.

Fetterman’s election is important nationally and to Pennsylvania. Oz, having gone down the far-right rabbit hole, would act accordingly. He has said, for example, that he would have voted against impeaching Trump for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection — an assault on U.S. democracy. There’s no reason to believe he would act to thwart similar future conduct.

Meanwhile, Fetterman is pressing issues important to Pennsylvanians. They include reduced drug pricing, greater gun safety, restoration of passenger rail service to New York and more.

Fetterman is far better qualified and prepared than Oz to represent Pennsylvania in the United States Senate.