Fetterman and Oz face off in Pennsylvania Senate debate on abortion, inflation,

The highly anticipated Pennsylvania Senate debate on Tuesday night was a fast-paced affair dense on policy but relatively light on the personal attacks that have defined a key race for who controls Congress’ evenly split upper chamber.

It also put Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s stroke symptoms back in the spotlight — as well as what he said was his resilience and recovery from, as he put it, a notable but not disqualifying challenge.

Many eyes were on Fetterman’s health as he took the stage. He spoke haltingly and sometimes inconsistently throughout the debate, even more so than he has at campaign events since returning to the trail in August, three months after his stroke. At times he seemed to struggle to complete his answers.

Two monitors were hung above the heads of the moderators, which transcribed both the questions and Republican Mehmet Oz’s answers in real time, to help with Fetterman’s auditory processing issues, which outside neurologists have said are no indication of cognitive issues for stroke survivors.

Fetterman has also worked with a speech therapist; his doctor said last week he was ready for “full duty” in office.

Several times on Tuesday, though not often, there was a pause before Fetterman answered a question as he read the transcription.

Soon after the debate began, he invoked his stroke and the sometimes-mocking criticism he has faced because of it from his rival’s campaign team.

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“Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: I had a stroke. He’s never let me forget that,” Fetterman said in his opening remarks, teeing up a line he would repeat over the course of the hour. “It knocked me down, but I’m going to keep coming back up.”

Oz, a former surgeon and popular TV host, did not mention his opponent’s health on stage.

Both candidates were forced to answer for inconsistent views on policies: For example, each was presented with past comments on fracking that contradicted what they’ve said on the issue on the trail.

“I strongly support fracking,” said Oz when asked about comments he made in 2014 arguing against the industry, which employs thousands of Pennsylvanians but draws scrutiny over its environmental effects.

Fetterman, too, was asked by moderators to square his recent public support for fracking with comments he made in 2018 sharply criticizing it.

“I’ve always supported fracking,” he insisted.

Of the discrepancy, Fetterman said awkwardly: “I do support fracking … I do support fracking.”

He and Oz also tried to take advantage when asked about the issues on which they have hinged their candidacies.

“I want to look into the face of every woman in Pennsylvania,” said Fetterman when the debate shifted to abortion access, contrasting his views with his opponent, who describes himself as…