Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., has called on Democrats to remain calm following President Biden’s criticized debate performance. Fetterman, who overcame a stroke and a challenging debate to win his Senate seat, argues that a rough debate does not define a candidate’s capability or record.
In a post on social media platform X, Fetterman emphasized his own experience, where despite auditory processing issues that affected his speaking abilities, he defeated Republican opponent Mehmet Oz in the Pennsylvania Senate race. He pointed out that his debate performance had led to widespread doubts about his fitness for office, yet he still achieved a historic victory.
Fetterman draws a parallel between his situation and President Biden’s, urging Democrats to support the president despite the debate fallout. He criticized the “Democratic vultures” and stressed that a single debate should not overshadow Biden’s overall record.
Following Biden’s performance at the CNN Presidential Debate, many liberals called for his withdrawal from the race. Notably, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman and CNN commentator Van Jones, both close to Biden, expressed concerns about his fitness for another term.
Fetterman’s message underscores the importance of looking beyond a single debate performance when evaluating a candidate. His own electoral success, despite significant challenges, serves as a reminder of the resilience and potential of political candidates. The ongoing debate within the Democratic Party about Biden’s ability to serve another term continues to be a hot topic, but Fetterman advocates for a broader perspective on a candidate’s qualifications and achievements.