Pennsylvania
Does the Keystone State hold the Key to the Senate
At the time of writing this, we are less than a month away from the midterm elections. As a native of the Keystone State, I am one of the few who holds the position that this race was never really a toss-up, given that in the governor race, it's a man who attended the violent terrorist attack on our nation's capital or the Former Attorney General. The former Attorney General will end up winning the race. Democrats will maintain the Governor's mansion.
When it comes to the U.S. Senate race, many voters in the state are under the guise that the current Lieutenant Governor, John Fetterman, will win the race. In private, I have been saying for several months that Josh Shapiro would win and Fetterman would lose.
This race will come down to the following Pennsylvanians splitting their votes. In other words, Shapiro wins because Republicans will vote for him, and Fetterman will lose because those same Republicans will not cross over and vote for them. In the last few days, we've seen opposition research showing that Dr. Oz played a role in the deaths of multiple dogs. This may move the needle for some. However, it's not like he was out murdering dogs for fun. More important to note is that Pennsylvanians are concerned with many of the same issues that other voters are concerned with inflation and crime.
Add in the fact that we are days before rising gas prices because of Biden's failed foreign policy trip to Saudi Arabia. Not only did the President forget about the death of an American journalist at the hands of the Saudi government, but he also accomplished nothing on the overseas trip other than allowing for human rights to take a backseat to the need to lower gas prices ahead of a midterm.
Fetterman suffered a stroke days before the primary election. Fetterman kept this from the voters of Pennsylvania. Many across Pennsylvania have wondered if Fetterman should have dropped out of the race. Fetterman, to his credit, won every county in the primary. The man seems unstoppable; however, add the fact that the Democrats did not have the same primary battle in PA that Republicans held, meaning they were cordial to each of their opponents. The ads show that Fetterman has had issues paying his taxes. He purchased his home for a dollar from his sister. The list of opposition research goes on when it comes to John Fetterman.
The sort of campaign Fetterman ran has been one of memes and attempts to own Doctor Oz on Twitter. The two candidates will meet for one debate in late October. Doctor Oz has asked for multiple debates; however, Fetterman has refused because of health concerns. Those who can see through the smoke must realize that John Fetterman's claim of health concerns must not ring true when he holds campaign events. Campaign events all while coronavirus is still in existence. One must wonder why John Fetterman won't debate Oz.
Once this race is over and if Fetterman is defeated, I hope the Democratic Party will decide it is time to recognize a need for seriousness to return to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If Fetterman defeats Oz, it will reinforce the idea that Fetterman and his campaign have set a new playbook for the Keystone State. One that shows our politics is nothing more than a charade of people who aren't all that serious about the United States Senate.
This decision is between a Hollywood doctor and the current Lieutenant Governor. As with any election, one must vote on their conscience. While the race is labeled a toss-up, Republicans will come home for Doctor Oz, who will govern like Pat Toomey.
Democrats should look elsewhere for Democratic pickups.