The biggest fumble from the Fetterman-Oz showdown? Probably not what you think.

The MoJo Daily newsletter, Monday through Friday. [View in browser]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter](     October 26, 2022 Logging onto the discourse this morning was a bit disorienting. Last night, John Fetterman and Mehmet Oz—the two candidates vying to be Pennsylvania's next senator—met for their first and only debate. Online, at least, it quickly became clear that the biggest takeaway was that Fetterman, having suffered a stroke earlier this year, had bungled the televised showdown. His apparent missteps? Some halting words, repeated answers. Fetterman admitted as much would happen; he'd been transparent about his health, as so many, [including Oz himself](, have relentlessly demanded of him. I really can't help but cringe at the idea of voters responding so sharply—and largely negatively—to a legitimate politician, one with a legitimate record of public service, for having a bit of a tough time after suffering a stroke only five months ago. You could argue, of course, that people should be concerned with their respective senators' abilities to physically debate in Congress. That's fair. But I have a feeling that what Americans actually care about is how their lawmakers look while explaining their votes on CNN. After all, that's the discomforting mix of public performance and private ability that's long been a fixture of modern politics. Still, for all the fuss over Fetterman, Oz—a [reality TV star doctor with deeply questionable credentials](—at times struggled to speak to the camera, too. Here's the word salad that actually drew most of my attention: "I want women, doctors, local political leaders—letting the democracy that's always allowed our nation to thrive, to put the best ideas forward so states can decide for themselves." So will our collective discomfort with public displays of disability suddenly shift support toward a [bogus doctor with such awful views on reproductive rights](? I think a bit of empathy might show another side. Anyway, I highly encourage you to read our [in-depth profile on Fetterman](, You're likely to learn a helluva lot more there than any televised debate. —Inae Oh Advertisement [WW Norton Born in Blackness]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [5 Candidates Who Could Help Trump Steal the Presidency]( In state and local elections across the country, democracy is truly on the ballot. BY JEREMY SCHULMAN [Fall Fundraising Drive] We need to raise $325,000 over the next month to help fund the hard-hitting journalism you get from us. [It's a pivotal moment]( for our democracy, accountability, and so much more—but you already know that, you're reading Mother Jones. If you can right now, please support our work with a donation so we're ready for the hard work ahead. [Donate]( [Trending] [Criminal trial for Trump's companies gets underway in earnest]( BY RUSS CHOMA   [Sometimes I forget how much I take for granted.]( BY MONIKA BAUERLEIN   [A scholar of American doom doesn't see how capitalism can fix this crisis.]( BY JONNY COLEMAN AND MOLLY LAMBERT   [Inside the unorthodox political rise of John Fetterman]( BY ABBY VESOULIS Advertisement [WW Norton Born in Blackness]( [Special Feature] [Special Feature]( [MAGA candidate Jim Marchant says he was a highly successful CEO. His divorce records say otherwise.]( “I would not want Jim to be secretary of a preschool,” says a former employee of the Nevada secretary of state contender. BY NOAH LANARD Did you enjoy this newsletter? Help us out by [forwarding]( it to a friend or sharing it on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. [Mother Jones]( [Donate]( [Donate Monthly]( [Subscribe]( This message was sent to {EMAIL}. To change the messages you receive from us, you can [edit your email preferences]( or [unsubscribe from all mailings.]( For advertising opportunities see our online [media kit.]( Were you forwarded this email? [Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today.]( [www.MotherJones.com]( PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755