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There is no Candidate I Have Ever Been Prouder to Support than John Fetterman [1]

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Date: 2022-10-26

I saw, at least in the political arena, unequalled courage last night. I also saw, for those of you riding a pity train, very solid effectiveness.

See you might have heard about a debate in Pennsylvania last night. It was between Dr. Mehmet Oz and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman for the U.S. Senate and it was about an hour long. John Fetterman answered the bell. Then he politically rang Oz’s.

The media, particularly the cowardly right wing press will tell you that Fetterman was a joke, that he was an embarrassment, that his was the worst debate performance in history. Let me stop there. Performance, too often, is the right word for politics. Over time, I have come to view some candidates as performance artists. Too much of our world is wrapped up in the adoration for celebrities, and Oz is a celebrity. He is also about as authentic as Taco Bell.

John Fetterman predictably, stumbled at times, as anyone dealing with aphasia from a stroke would. He explained to the audience that this would not be easy, that there would be mistakes, and that he would do his best. That is all he can do.

Oz talked himself into corners, leaving perhaps a knockout blow of an ad with an all-time gaffe, a gaffe that John Fetterman is going to take advantage of. Saying “local political leaders” should be involved in the health decisions of a woman is practically speaking, political self-destruction.

John Fetterman was not “polished.” He was anything but smooth. But you know what? John Kerry was picture perfect in three debates with then President George W. Bush.

Thing is, nobody wanted to drink a beer with John Kerry.

Just like nobody wants to drink a beer with Oz.

John Fetterman is an everyman, in fact, to be frank, I am quite glad to see, especially in a state like Pennsylvania, the Democrat in the race being the guy that will eat a hot dog at the cookout, or talk baseball, or the guy you pop a cold one with.

Or fight back from a health challenge.

See the one thing slick pundits don’t understand about the electorate, is that they sniff out gloss, and rehearsed, and well, phony. For years I have complained that our candidates over explain when they just need a soundbite. Well, John Fetterman’s issues with getting his point across may not be an issue at all. He was clear if not eloquent, while being concise and firm.

As it turns out having to recover from a stroke leaves one with very little ability to be inauthentic. He couldn’t have been phony if he had tried.

John Fetterman could be your neighbor, or the guy who mows your elderly grandma’s lawn, and he was two things last night more important than any post-debate poll about who won, or who “performed.”

First of all, he was relatable. A slight bit out of place in a tie, you could tell he would rather be on he campaign trail. The second thing he was, is earnest.

Honest is a given. But earnest is dedication, earnest is the attitude of a servant. This man is laying it on the line to serve the public. That came through.

So he stumbled on some words. Big deal. The points came across clearly. And he knew, he knew, that no matter what he did he was going to be eviscerated in the press with ableist propaganda. He knew that. But he also knew that absolutely one thing he could not do, not in Pennsylvania, not in the state that molds steel, not somewhere full of voters where one’s word is the most valuable currency of all, is duck a fight.

It does not matter if he is seen as “winning” the 3 p.m. after school dust-up.

It only mattered that he showed up to face the bully. Just by showing up, he allowed Oz to fully expose his rancid nature to the voters. Oz tried to shame him. He tried to belittle him. And John Fetterman, showing a quick wit, zinged him. “Move to Vermont,” he said, discussing Oz’s obsession with Bernie Sanders.

Pundits will tell you that John Fetterman cost himself last night. I say he solidified his standing. I say the voters will prove to be decent and understand what is going on.

I say authenticity won the night. That is not a partisan talking. That is nearly half of a century of life experience talking.

I have seen good candidates shrink from a fight. I have watched debates where it seemed like our candidates delivered blow after blow, only to be blown away, by talk of a sigh, or a smirk. In a different universe, perhaps, polish wins elections. In this one, the ability to connect comes first.

I am proud, however it turns out, to have a supported a man who never backed down from the fight, whether it be his stroke or his opponent. The world now knows, definitively, that those with health challenges get up off the mat. All people in that boat sail on a tide that John Fetterman helped to lift.

So let’s act as wind in his sails. Support him. Encourage him. Call, canvass, do what it takes, for while John may have some difficulty expressing his thoughts, at least it isn’t because like Oz, he is trying to guess what it is you want to hear.

-ROC

I would love for you to join my newsletter, The Claw News, and read the efforts of a writer with journalistic integrity. It helps provide for my family, and I give it my all.

I need to add to my Claw Family!

But I would also love it if you would contribute to John Fetterman’s campaign.

If you can do both. If you have to choose one, help make John Fetterman the next Senator from the great state of Pennsylvania.

It truly is that important.

-ROC

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