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Top Story

1. The Debate. What Did We Just See?

“The highly anticipated U.S. Senate debate between Republican Mehmet Oz and Democrat John Fetterman left many wondering what they just saw.

And what it all means.

Viewers saw the struggles that Fetterman had with the effects of his stroke. The lieutenant governor had difficulties piecing together his thoughts into coherent sentences. The halting nature of his responses, along with the lack of substance, gave room for doubt as to his overall health and ability to serve in the Senate.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

The Spin Room. “Here is some of the spin coming from surrogates and opinions from commentators.” (PoliticsPA)

Reader Poll. Our unscientific Twitter poll after the conclusion of the debate asked “Was your choice for US Senator affected by tonight’s debate? Sixty percent of the 418 responses said “No. Still For Fetterman.” (PoliticsPA)

Fetterman’s Performance Was Center Stage In Lone Debate Against Oz. “Democrat John Fetterman pledged to fight for working people but struggled at times to articulate his views during a high-stakes U.S. Senate debate Tuesday night, while Republican Mehmet Oz tried to claim the center lane politically but frequently dodged policy specifics.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Oz, Fetterman Debate In Confrontation Heavier In Attacks Than Substantive Policy. “Like the campaigns they’re running, Republican Mehmet Oz and Democrat John Fetterman clashed in their one and only debate in a confrontation that was heavier on attacks than substantive policy.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Fetterman Struggles In Rapid-Fire Debate Format As He And Oz Trade Well-Worn Barbs. “The eyes of the political world turned to Harrisburg Tuesday night for the high-stakes U.S. Senate debate, but it was John Fetterman’s performance that overshadowed any sniping over well-covered issues.” (PennLive)

Fetterman, Oz Trade Familiar Insults During Ugly Debate. “The lone debate between U.S. Senate candidates John Fetterman and Dr. Mehmet Oz was much like the campaign itself: nasty, brutish, and — especially for Democrats hoping to put an end to discussions of Fetterman’s health — perhaps not short enough.” (WESA)

Five Takeaways. “Two clear winners emerged in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate debate Tuesday night, but it wasn’t either of the candidates, Republican Mehmet Oz or Democrat John Fetterman.” (LNP | Lancaster Online)

Senate

2. What They’re Saying Nationally

We’ve seen the statewide coverage of last night’s Senate debate. What are they saying around the country at the race that could determine control of the U.S. Senate?

Here is how the New York Times, Washington Post, POLITICO, Punchbowl News, The Atlantic and The Bulwark saw last night’s event.

Related

Fetterman Struggles During TV Debate Vs. Oz. “John Fetterman and Mehmet Oz sparred over abortion, fracking and other hot-button issues during their Senate debate Tuesday night, with the Democrat who suffered a stroke more than five months ago struggling at times to effectively communicate — missing words, pausing awkwardly and speaking haltingly.” (POLITICO)

Shaky At Best. “There were a few solid moments for the lieutenant governor, but overall, his performance was predictably rocky. This isn’t a surprise given the severity of his stroke. Fetterman’s campaign attempted to lower expectations prior to the debate. It’s miraculous in some way that Fetterman could even do this event. Yet it may have been better for Fetterman – a gifted retail pol prior to his health problems – to skip the debate.” (Punchbowl News)

• Five Takeaways. (NY Times)
• For Fetterman, Contentious Exchanges, Verbal Struggles In Debate With Oz. (Washington Post)
• Key Moments From The Sole PA Senate Debate. (Axios)

The Fetterman-Oz Debate Was a Rorschach Test. “Why did John Fetterman’s team agree to tonight’s debate? Because declining it likely seemed a worse option.” (The Atlantic)

The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad PA Debate. “The debate was so unpleasant to watch that the only good thing about it is that Pennsylvania voters won’t have to suffer seeing these two men together on stage again.” (The Bulwark)

State

3. How Redistricting Could Alter Control of the State Legislature

“It’s showtime for Pennsylvania’s brand-new legislative districts.

The revamped state House and Senate lines were approved by a commission made up of legislative leaders and an independent chair, and unanimously upheld by Pennsylvania’s highest court as part of the latest decennial redistricting process.

The maps helped spawn a wave of retirements that have already reshaped the 253-member Pennsylvania General Assembly, a preview of changes the Nov. 8 election may bring.” (Spotlight PA)

Related

Justices To Sort Out If Mail-In Ballot Envelopes Need Dates. “Senior Pennsylvania elections officials argued in a new court filing Tuesday that handwritten dates on the envelopes that many state voters use to mail in ballots should not be deemed mandatory, in part because of a half-century-old legislative ruling deemphasizing their importance.” (AP)

PA-01: Five Takeaways From Debate. “Incumbent Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick and U.S. Army veteran Democrat Ashley Ehasz squared off in an 90-minute debate in the race for Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District Tuesday afternoon” (Bucks County Courier Times)

Ad Watch

• The Congressional Leadership Fund is putting $500,000 each into the 7th and 8th Congressional District races, as well as $750,000 into the 17th.
• Agenda PAC, launched by Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, is spending six figures for a digital buy to motivate young voters. (Punchbowl News)

Around The Commonwealth

In Purple PA, ‘Polite Conversation’ No Longer Includes Divisive Politics. “ The TVs are always tuned to ESPN’s SportsCenter, never Fox News, CNN or MSNBC. That’s because you can argue over your favorite team while holding forth from your barber chair. But political talk is actively discouraged, if not strictly forbidden.” (PennLive)

A Look Behind The Keystone Party of PA. “The Keystone Party of Pennsylvania, which formed this year, describes its mission as creating “a culture of positive policy change with workable solutions that solve real world problems.”” (Pittsburgh City Paper)

SD 14: Miller, Browning Square Off For New Senate Seat. “Candidates for the Lehigh Valley’s new state Senate seat covering parts of Allentown and Bethlehem are vying for every vote with just two weeks until Election Day—ringing doorbells and knocking on doors.” (LehighValleyNews)

• SD 38: Lindsey Williams vs. Lori Mizgorski. (Pittsburgh City Paper)

HD 72: Burns, Billow Continue to Spar Over Political Ads As Defamation Lawsuit Moves Forward, Election Looms. “Is the allegation that Renae Billow, the Republican challenger in this year’s Pennsylvania House of Representatives 72nd Legislative District race, “scammed” taxpayers “factual” or an “outright lie?”” (Tribune-Democrat)

• Voters’ Guide (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Election Guide 2022 (Public Source)

Opinion

• For The Sake of the City, Krasner Must View Impeachment Threat As a Teachable Moment. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Is It Fair To Criticize A Candidate For a Health Problem? (Lori Falce)
• Wave Or Drop In The Bucket? Why Predictions of Abortion Driving Votes Are Flopping. (Cynthia M. Allen)
• Young People in PA, Get Out and Vote. (The Pitt News)