We’re not trying to be too hard on The Daily Beast’s Matt Lewis here. As he says, he wouldn’t vote for John Fetterman for philosophical reasons. But, his “contrarian take” is exactly what this editor watched form in real-time as the debate between Pennsylvania Senate candidates Fetterman and Dr. Mehmet Oz unfolded. As Twitchy reported, Fetterman absolutely froze up twice during the one-hour debate: once when asked where he differs with President Joe Biden on policy, and again when asked about his flip-flop on fracking, which he opposed back in 2018 and now claims to have always been for it. Those lingering silences were painful, and they had nothing to do with the closed-captioning.
Lewis is saying that voters might lean a little bit more toward Fetterman after the debate, seeing Oz as a “bully” who is taking advantage of a tragedy. We’d argue that it’s Fetterman’s wife, Gisele, who’s taking advantage of a tragedy.
Contrarian take: I wouldn’t vote Fetterman for philosophical reasons. But if I were leaning toward him, last night would make me root for him even more. Dr. Oz risks coming off looking like a bully who is taking advantage of a tragedy. Would love to see some post-debate polling.
— Matt Lewis (@mattklewis) October 26, 2022
As this editor said Tuesday night, they’re actually trying to spin this as a sympathy vote for the disabled Fetterman.
Not surprising from a conservative who works for the Daily Beast. Setting aside the obvious issues, Fetterman was loudly interrupting Oz during his allotted time, including Oz’s closing statement. That would def come off as bullying but for that Fetterman is clearly incapacitated
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) October 26, 2022
True. And if you look at the Fetterman supporters, they’re simultaneously claiming that Fetterman is the man they need to fight for the little people. They like him because he’s … a bully.
Why is this make look Oz look like a bully?
All he did was answer the questions. He basically could have gone 'FULL TRUMP' and destroyed Fetterman. I hate Oz, but he took the high road here.
— Pradheep J. Shanker (@Neoavatara) October 26, 2022
That’s what I’m saying, Oz didn’t look like the bully at all. The only bullies here are Fetterman’s shady, clout-chasing wife and his grifting campaign staff.
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) October 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/brandtwillis1/status/1585279040692408321
Let the guy with brain damage win, otherwise you’re a bully. It’s like telling the guy who trained and is ready to compete, to take a dive.
The media is garbage.
— tomwils1967 (@tomwils1967) October 26, 2022
This take proves exactly why Fetterman should not be running. It isn't Oz's job to carry Fetterman across finish line or hold his hand. Fetterman was the one interrupting, lashing out, was nonsensical and proved he is not ready.
— sarainitaly 🌷🐰🐥 (@sarainitaly) October 26, 2022
"Participating in a debate with your opponent for political office makes you a bully."
If you say so.
— InTheRightColumn (@TheRightColumn) October 26, 2022
I thought Oz handled the situation professionally. He attacked his positions, as any smart debater would, but wasn't condescending toward him or his abilities.
— Bryan Beltz (@bbeltz1) October 26, 2022
What do you think Oz should have done differently? Should he, knowing his opponent was incapable of coherent communication, have refused to debate? Oz was polite, didn't interrupt (unlike Fetterman) and didn't "bully" in the least. Your tweet makes no sense.
— carolyn tackett🐊 (@CarolsCloset) October 26, 2022
Fetterman’s advisors put him on stage.
He netted $1 M in donations last night
Those are the individuals who are taking advantage.
If he doesn’t improve or has additional problems, it’s those cruel people who will be pulling the strings.
— 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 (@txsalth2o) October 26, 2022
🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌
— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) October 26, 2022
Hard disagree. I feel sad that they’re propping him up like this. He should’ve spent the last several months pursuing rehab. He is not ready or up to the job.
— WhatsTheFuss? (@WhatsFuss) October 26, 2022
Sorry, but that’s like awarding the victory in the fight to Floyd Patterson because Sonny Liston knocked him out so decisively. Facing an overmatched opponent is not ‘bullying’.
— Jim G (@AxialEquatorial) October 26, 2022
How did Oz appear as a bully? Didn’t he just debate straight without alluding to it at all? Is that bullying?
— Chris Oldman (@ChrisOldman4) October 26, 2022
Oz was pretty much a perfect gentleman during the debate. As people have mentioned, his campaign agreed to all of the concessions requested by the Fetterman campaign, such as the closed captioning. Oz was a “bully” because the whole thing was a set-up.
The is the ultimate endpoint for neverTrump
— kc2fargo (@kc2fargo) October 26, 2022
Yep.
***
Related:
Lib journos defending John Fetterman from ableist bullies are too far gone to realize that *they’re* the ableist bullies they claim to hate https://t.co/TaKJOqQOdK
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 26, 2022
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