Fetterman: Oz not fit to serve state
Dem candidate ribs opponent during rally
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate John Fetterman got a roaring greeting from more than 1,000 supporters Saturday afternoon and then delivered a speech that stretched from getting rid of the filibuster to sending Republican candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz back to New Jersey.
Fetterman walked on the stage at Northampton Community College’s Arthur Scott Spartan Center to the rock band ACDC song “Back in Black,” wearing his signature black hoodie and then got right to business, telling the crowd how grateful he was that they came, grateful for his health and puzzled by many of Oz’s rips into his character.
The lieutenant governor had a stroke in May, a topic he addressed during the rally, but his strong and powerful presentation to the crowd gave no indication he was ever ill.
“In case you haven’t heard I had a stroke and so I am grateful to be here today,’’ he said.
He said he suspected there was someone in the audience filming him hoping he would stumble or “miss a word or mush two words together.”
He then chided Oz for confusing the grocery markets Redner’s and Wegmans and creating “Wegners” and later said, “Oz may seem like a joke, but it’s not funny.”
“You don’t honestly think Oz cares about Pennsylvania ... if you don’t live here how could you fight for here,’’ he said.
The key issues Fetterman wants to hit if elected are abolishing the filibuster, increasing the minimum wage, encouraging labor unions to grow, abortion rights, LGBTQ rights, health care and preserving democracy.
He stressed the importance of controlling the Senate and not allowing a proliferation of the measures being expressed by extreme right wing Republicans.
“Oz celebrated the fall of Roe vs Wade. He and [Doug] Mastriano [the Republican candidate for Pa. governor] have the same extreme views,’’ he said.
The 53-year-old West Reading native asked the crowd in the packed gymnasium if they or any relatives had any serious health issues. The response brought a sea of raised hands.
“So many hands. I’m sorry for that folks,’’ he said, and then asked if any of their doctors made fun of their health issues.
Oz has made disparaging remarks about his stroke, which is another reason he said, “I’m telling you he is not fit to serve.”
The former mayor of Braddock, Allegheny County, also ribbed Oz about his remark claiming President Joe Biden was responsible for the downfall of Bethlehem Steel Corp.
“That was 27 years ago,’’ he said, referring to when the company folded, and continued, ‘’And I’m the one who had a stroke?’’
Before the rally at the Bethlehem Township college, Fetterman held a rally in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia at noon and was preceded by speeches from Democratic U.S House candidate Susan Wild (D-7th district), state House candidate Anna Thomas (D-137th), Bethlehem mayor William Reynolds, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure and Fetterman’s wife, Gisele.
Wild said this election is more about casting a vote.
“You’re not choosing a name, you’re choosing your future. Literally,’’ she said. She decried the Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe vs Wade, the potential of a ban on gay marriage and the need to restore the country’s manufacturing base.
“Making things in America should not be a thing of the past,” she said.
After the rally, supporter Elysa Dalbow said the event further reinforced her support for Fetterman.
The 41-year-old Center Valley resident said, “I’m all revved up. I’ll say I am even more inspired.”
Donald Odotte, a 46-yearold Bethlehem resident, said he was more convinced then ever to vote for Fetterman.
“He is very personable and very down to earth. A man who is concerned about everyone,” he said.
Standing beside him, Mercy Machua, a 46-yearold Bethlehem resident, said, “He shows us he is a human. He relates to us and that we are all vulnerable. He showed me who he is.’’