NBC-Fetterman debate performance has Democrats on edge about Pa. Senate race

[Valletta]

“He should not have debated. Anyone on his team who agreed to a debate should be fired, or never work again, because that debate may have tanked his campaign,” said Chris Kofinis, a veteran Democratic campaign strategist. “This race was trending toward victory. Now, it’s anyone’s guess what happens.”

Several Democrats who spoke to NBC News, some on the condition of anonymity, said they were shocked by the degree to which Fetterman struggled to communicate clearly, even though he has acknowledged ongoing difficulty in processing what he hears and speaking without dropping words.
Fetterman debate performance has Democrats on edge about Pa. Senate race

This was an obvious mistake. Democrats did so well with Joe Biden in the basement, claiming he was mentally fit for the job. Somehow there was a breakdown in communications from the national leaders. Millions of dollars are still coming into Fetterman's effort AFTER the debate but it is now quite possible Fetterman could lose.

 

[JosephZ]

This was an obvious mistake. Democrats did so well with Joe Biden in the basement, claiming he was mentally fit for the job. Somehow there was a breakdown in communications from the national leaders. Millions of dollars are still coming into Fetterman's effort AFTER the debate but it is now quite possible Fetterman could lose.

Fetterman will do fine in the election. Taking the debate stage took courage and most people understand that his speech issues are not related to cognitive abilities.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

Fetterman will do fine in the election. Taking the debate stage took courage and most people understand that his speech issues are not related to cognitive abilities.

Actually, I don't know if that's a "for sure thing"

Obviously any halfway compassionate person wants to see him recover.

But I don't think anyone can for sure say his cognitive abilities aren't impacted. According to medical journals, the 3-6 month time window after a stroke is a key period, because that's often an indicator of how much the person is going to recover (and only 1/5 of stroke victims fully recover). Recovery efforts are also hampered by certain comorbidities (like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes -- which he for sure has the first 2, not sure if he's diabetic, but I don't know too many people > 350lbs that don't at least have some blood sugar issues)

Recovery of Cognitive Function After Stroke

And even if it were a case where it's only impacting his speech, and his actual mental faculties are back to 100% (which is in question), the reality of that line of work is that you have to be an effective communicator and speaker to be effective in that role.


It's an unfortunate situation, that's not the way anyone's career political prospects should have to end, but I think saying "he'll do fine" is maybe a bit overly-optimistic.

...considering that there's some mixed emotions among democratic voters and independents after seeing the debate
Pennsylvania Voters Absorb an Unusual Debate: ‘I Felt Sorry for Fetterman’