Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman’s debate performance fueled concern inside his party, as leaders assessed whether it would significantly shift a race that could decide control of the U.S. Senate.
Appearing on stage five months after his stroke, Fetterman, Pennsylvania’s 53-year-old lieutenant governor, struggled to complete sentences, and he jumbled words throughout the hourlong televised event.That was no surprise for medical professionals, who noted that the format, including time limits on answers, was the opposite of what a person recovering from a stroke would need to support his communication.
In fact, Fetterman appeared at a rally Wednesday night at an outdoor stage in Pittsburgh and, before a crowd of what the campaign said was 3,000 people, spoke smoothly for 13 minutes before introducing musician Dave Matthews.“In fact, I don’t think that’s ever been done before in American political history,” he said.
Still, the debate was difficult to watch for Brooke Hatfield, a Maryland speech pathologist who has worked extensively with stroke patients. Former Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., had a serious stroke in 2012 and would go on to lose his reelection four years later. “In his conversations that he’s had with Lt. Gov. Fetterman, he finds the lieutenant governor to be a strong and authentic advocate for the middle class,” Jean-Pierre said, adding that the president “finds him incredibly impressive.”