Fetterman, Oz Debate Economics, Offer Support for ‘Forgotten Pennsylvanians’, American Dream | Pennsylvania

(The Center Square) – The long-awaited debate between Lt. gov. John Fetterman and Dr. Mehmet Oz for the Pennsylvania US Senate seat showed candidates attempting to demonstrate their fitness for office amid health concerns and personal attacks.

Tuesday night’s debate was the most significant platform Democrat Fetterman has appeared on and asked public questions since his stroke in May. During the debate, due to problems with auditory processing, he used closed captioning technology to understand what was being said. He had no trouble processing Oz’s questions and statements, but stumbled on most of his answers.

Still, he positioned himself as a strong supporter of President Joe Biden, who is standing up for forgotten Pennsylvanians. Republican Oz presented himself as the embodiment of the American dream and opportunity, one that seeks to unite Americans and urge change.

The candidates are vying for the seat of Republican Pat Toomey, who has decided not to seek re-election. The Senate is a 50-50 split being tipped in favor of Democrats by the West Wing, and national attention has turned to this dead heat for control of Congress. Just before the primary, when Oz seemed to be gaining the upper hand to win the GOP nomination, former President Donald Trump — a lightning rod within the party — gave a confirmation.

“I run to serve Pennsylvania, he runs to use Pennsylvania,” Fetterman said in his opening statement, accusing Oz of lying about his past political views. “For me, this campaign is about fighting for everyone in Pennsylvania who has ever been downed and needs to rise again, and fighting for all forgotten communities across Pennsylvania.”

Oz responded by calling for more bipartisan efforts.

“Washington keeps making mistakes with extreme positions. I want to bring civility, balance, and all the things that you want to see because you told me on the campaign trail,” Oz said. “It’s a way for us to bring each other together in a way that hasn’t happened recently – Democrats, Republicans talking to each other. John Fetterman takes everything to the extreme and these extreme positions hurt us all.”

Much of the debate centered on the economy, and the first question was how the candidates planned to improve it. Oz spoke of cutting 4% of the federal budget, which he says was going to waste and fraud, and warned about Fetterman’s tax hikes.

“I can make the tough decisions like you do as a surgeon in the operating room, I will also get them to cut our budget to ensure we don’t have to increase taxes on a population already desperate in the pain inflation rate,” said Oz.

When asked about spending cuts, Fetterman focused on inflation.

“We have to fight inflation now because it’s a working family tax,” Fetterman said. “We have to act against corporate greed, we have to make sure we also act against price gouging. We also need to be able to do more in Pennsylvania and more in America.”

On the question of whether the state gas tax should be suspended, Oz was more hesitant.

“I support tax cuts, but we want to think about the long-term game plan to cut gas taxes and, frankly, all energy prices,” he said. “What we have to do is make sure we don’t have elevated inflation, and the best way to do that is to bring gas prices down.”

“He would never make the decision to fight for families here in Pennsylvania,” Fetterman said. “He was never able to stand up for working families.”

He then argued that inflation boosted corporate profits.

“Inflation has hurt the families of Americans and Pennsylvanians and given record profits to oil companies,” Fetterman said.

The presenters asked questions on a variety of topics: abortion, minimum wage, immigration, crime and gun control. But the economy was a recurring theme.

Oz positioned itself as a plan to “unleash energy” in the state.

“We have one of the richest energy states in the country. I think if we could unleash the energy from under our feet here in Pennsylvania, there would be a lot of money for the round,” Oz said. “We would have higher wages, more reasons for students to take professional classes to learn trades, which I do strongly support. We would also be able to channel that gas, improve our economy and reduce inflation.”

Both candidates, who are closely associated with energy, were asked about their previous statements on the subject of fracking and how they have changed. Oz wrote about health concerns surrounding fracking in 2014 and now supports it, while Fetterman stated in a 2018 interview that he never supported fracking and now supports it.

Oz said he has been “very consistent” in his support for fracking and said the technology is safe to use.

“It’s a lifeline for this Commonwealth to build prosperity…if we unleashed energy in Pennsylvania, it would benefit everyone,” he said.

Fetterman’s current views were similar to Oz’s.

“I absolutely support fracking,” he said. “I believe we need independence with energy, and I believe I’ve walked that line my entire career.”

When reference was made to his earlier statements against fracking, Fetterman reiterated, “I support fracking.”

Both candidates also advocated vocational training and encouraged more young people to pursue a career.

In their closing remarks, Fetterman and Oz emphasized their values.

“I’ve heard about your problems,” Oz said. “None of this has to happen, it’s all very addressable.

“Ask yourself and others in your family: Are you unhappy with where America is going? I am, and if you are, then I am the candidate for change. I am a living embodiment of the American dream, I believe we are the land of opportunity, the land of plenty.”

Fetterman said, “My campaign is about fighting for everyone in Pennsylvania who’s ever been knocked down and had to get back up. I also fight for every forgotten church across Pennsylvania that has ever been put down and had to rise again. I have dedicated my entire career to these activities. I believe it’s about serving Pennsylvania, not using Pennsylvania for their own interests.”