The Fetterman debate fallout | Morning Newsletter
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Democrats may see an opportunity after Mehmet Oz said local politicians should have a say in abortion during Tuesday night’s sole Pennsylvania Senate debate, but that doesn’t mean they have nothing to worry about.
John Fetterman struggled periodically to clearly answer questions because of his lingering speech problems following his stroke in May, drawing harsh national attention.
Our lead story grapples with the potential impact of Fetterman’s performance and whether it could cost him the race.
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John Fetterman’s debate showing left Democratic insiders shaken but still hopeful
Democratic insiders and elected officials are worried about Fetterman’s halting performance in Tuesday’s U.S. Senate debate, questioning his campaign’s choice to participate. Some hoped the debate came too late for serious damage to sink in.
The stakes: The race appears evenly split with less than two weeks until Election Day, and the outcome could dictate control of the U.S. Senate.
Fetterman addressed his health challenges as the “elephant in the room” Tuesday night, but cast his situation as relatable to anyone who’s ever “got knocked down that needs to get back up.”
Regardless, circulating clips on social media and cable news Wednesday focused on Fetterman’s verbal slips and pauses, and the difficulties he had at times answering attacks from his Republican competitor, Mehmet Oz.
Keep reading to see what political operatives and elected officials had to say.
What you should know today
Months after receiving recommendations, the city’s restitution for the MOVE bombing remains incomplete
Months after the release of an audit that chronicled years of neglected problems in the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office, the office has implemented six of the 16 recommendations.
Reminders: The city commissioned an audit of the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office after discovering last year remains from the 1985 MOVE bombing abandoned and forgotten on a basement shelf without the knowledge of the victims’ families.
Hiring Constance DiAngelo as Chief Medical Examiner was a step to address the recommendation to bring in reform-minded leadership.
The office has also sought to return the remains found in storage. Some have gone to a family member. It’s unclear if all of them have been returned since the city declined to confirm, saying conversations with the victims’ relatives are confidential.
Other changes so far include:
Keeping reading about the other recommendations and why some reforms will take years.
🧠 Philly Trivia Time 🧠
How much did Ryan Long, Philadelphia Uber driver turned Jeopardy! champion, win before taxes during his 16-game winning streak on the show?
A. $200,500
B. $300,400
C. $150,000
D. $400,700
Find out if you know the answer.
What we’re…
Reading: How the Phillies created a winning chemistry 🔑
Watching:Calming measures are coming to Washington Avenue after all.
Sharing:Tips on how to become a muralist in Philly.
🧩 Unscramble the Anagram 🧩
Hint: Mascot
ACTINHAP
Think you know? Send your guess our way at morningnewsletter@inquirer.com. We’ll give a shout-out to a reader at random who answers correctly. Today’s shout-out goes to David Goldberg, who correctly guessed Happy Fernandez as Wednesday’s answer.
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