The Fetterman-Oz race for the US Senate is rated a toss-up by fivethirtyeight.com as of the first week of July. It shouldn’t be. The race matches a serious politician with experience running a city and a strong record on the economy, climate change, and civil rights against an unprincipled clown who has had a variety of political positions over the years but now claims to believe anything Donald Trump says.
Fetterman presents himself as a blue collar, heavy metal candidate. He is not a typical, focus group-driven candidate, often going off script and saying what’s on his mind. Oz is an unprincipled comedian. Fetterman is basing his campaign on small donations. Oz is accepting unlimited PAC money. Fetterman has thought-out positions on issues and can point to a consistency of purpose.
Oz: a record of political expediency. Chameleon-like changes are nothing new for Dr. Oz. Once a respected surgeon and professor of medicine, Dr. Oz discovered show biz, went from a guest gig on Oprah to his own show, and became a tireless promoter of quack medical ideas. His TV show regularly featured faith healers, psychics, and anti-vaccine propagandists.
Politically he has done the same, evolving from a self-described “moderate Republican” who supported the rights of gays and women’s rights to an abortion and who believed climate change was a serious threat to a present MAGA position that Donald Trump has endorsed.
On the pandemic, Oz downplayed its severity and promoted quack cures such as hydroxychloroquine. However, he did advocate mask wearing and vaccines and praised Dr. Fauci’s efforts. Lately, he has described Fauci as a “tyrant.”
In 2014, Dr. Oz called for more restrictions on fracking. Today, he says he considers fracking a major route to energy independence and advocates reduction of regulations over this industry.
He once was a major supporter of the ACA (“Obamacare”), but now calls for its repeal.
In the past, Oz was for waiting periods and a ban on assault weapons. He favored stronger regulations and even went so far as to advocate red flag laws and “a New Zealand-style ban.” Now he claims to be pro-gun.
“As a proud gun-owner, Dr. Oz is a firm believer in the Second Amendment and our constitutional right to bear arms for protection. He opposes anti-gun measures like red flag laws and liberal gun grabs… every law-abiding American citizen should be allowed to buy the gun of their desire.”
Oz campaign. Oz is also running a sleazy campaign. A small cross-section of his ads shows his troubled relationship with the truth.
In one ad, Oz stated that Fetterman and other Democrats “coddle criminals, provide sanctuary to dangerous illegal aliens and put dangerous criminals back out on the street. These radical far-left policies have led to record-breaking homicides and unprecedented rates of violent crime in Philadelphia and across the commonwealth.”
In another ad, he wrongly brings up the “federal takeover.”
“I’ve spent my career in medicine working to empower people to take control of their own lives. The government wants to tell you how to live your life, provide for your family, and make your health care decisions. I believe YOU should be in control.”
National implications. Every US Senate race is also important for national political reasons. In all probability, the Fetterman-Oz race is one of a handful of races that will decide control of the Senate. This is especially important because Senator McConnell promised to hold up Democratic judicial nominees if he regains the majority. This is of crucial importance. Biden can’t do much about the Supreme Court unless Thomas or Alito retires, but he can and already has made a huge difference at the District and Circuit court levels. If Biden gets two more years that he’s able to get judges confirmed, the Dems will have a commanding lead in circuit court judges, which is nearly as important as the Supreme Court
If the Democrats even pick up two more seats, they may bring home repeal of the filibuster, which could open the door for significant legislation. For all these reasons, Fetterman deserves your support.
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