Biden and Harris parachute in to boost Democrats
Pair descend on fundraiser in Pennsylvania after candidate loses ground to Republican TV surgeon
JOE BIDEN and Kamala Harris made a rare appearance together on the midterm campaign trail in Pennsylvania after polls showed a dramatic swing towards a Republican candidate favoured by Donald Trump.
The US President and his deputy addressed guests at the Independence Dinner in Philadelphia, a fundraiser for the Democrats, in a show of support for John Fetterman, a 6ft 9in progressive lieutenant governor who is up against celebrity surgeon Dr Mehmet Oz.
The Democrats need to win the seat in the bellwether state that could decide control of the US Senate and potentially the future of Mr Biden’s presidency.
Mr Fetterman, 53, enjoyed a doubledigit lead over Dr Oz through the summer, despite suffering a stroke just days before the primary in May.
After a poor performance in Tuesday’s televised debate in Harrisburg however, Mr Fetterman was trailing the Republican 45 points to 48 with little over a week to go before the vote.
Mr Biden used a speech at the fundraiser to hit out at Dr Oz’s Republican party following the “despicable” attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
“It has been reported that the same chant was used by this guy that they have in custody that was used on January 6 in the attack on the US Capitol,” he said. “The chant was ‘Where’s Nancy, where’s Nancy, where’s Nancy?
“What makes us think that one party can talk about stolen elections and it not affect people who may not be so well balanced?
“What makes us think that it’s not going to corrode the political climate?”
Harvard-educated Dr Oz embraced Mr Trump’s “Big Lie” that the 2020 election was stolen, as he sought to win the former president’s backing.
Mr Pelosi was said to be recovering well yesterday after undergoing surgery on a fractured skull.
“Everything’s at stake,” warned Mr Biden. “And it’s not hyperbole to suggest all eyes are on Pennsylvania.”
Dr Oz, best known for his daytime television show and line of miracle weight loss supplements, made the surprise decision last year to throw his hat in the ring.
He narrowly beat a crowded field of much more seasoned politicians to win the Republican nomination – thanks in no small part to the endorsement from former president Trump.
He has replicated Mr Trump’s formula for success by pitching himself as the ultimate political outsider.
“I’m not a politician, I’m a heart surgeon. We need less extremism in Washington,” he implored in early campaign adverts.
The 62-year-old physician has one – rather large – obstacle standing in the way of victory in the form of hoodie wearing, tattooed Mr Fetterman.
He was the obvious choice for the Democrats. The father-of-three has been pitched as the antidote to help the party speak to the white working class they have been failing to reach.
Keith Bentz, 69, a former union worker was in the crowd supporting Mr Fetterman in Harrisburg. He told The Sunday Telegraph: “Fetterman’s got a record here, Dr Oz has nothing, no one knows what he even stands for. I’m not swayed by one particular issue, I vote on a person’s character and Fetterman has done a lot for this state and has shown himself to be solid.”
Mr Fetterman may have lost the debate, but he has been winning the war on social media, where there are untapped pools of younger voters to be picked up.
His campaign has been attacking Dr Oz, an Ohio-born dual Turkish-American national, for being a multi-millionaire “carpetbagger” whose main home is in neighbouring New Jersey and has little connection to the state he is hoping to represent.
In response, Republicans have been pouring money into the must-win race and emphasised Dr Oz’s position on the economy and crime.