Happened to catch a clip of Last Word from a recent show, where Lawrence O’Donnell really stood up for John Fetterman after what, by most accounts, was not exactly a stellar debate performance on Fetterman’s part.
The fact that he’s only a few months beyond suffering a stroke seems to be playing mainly to his detriment at the moment. Many in the press and of course the noisy Fox News crowd pounced, doing the predictable piling on, questioning his fitness and the wisdom of continuing to campaign. But O’Donnell reminded his audience that there have been two members of Congress who suffered strokes earlier this year and are back on the job. He also brought Churchill and FDR into the conversation, as examples of notable leaders who were dealing with physical ailments and limitations throughout their tenures.
It remains to be seen to what extent Fetterman recovers from the stroke. Doctors seem to think he’s making good progress. Obviously, the stakes are high, and if things were different– i.e. a less controversial opponent– maybe Fetterman would bow out and understandably take time to heal more fully. As things are, though, the need will remain for an alternative to Dr. Oz– an out-of-touch, out-of-state opportunist, and the embodiment of a scary proposition.
May Mr. Fetterman continue to heal and prove the skeptics wrong.
3 Cents' 