The Friday edition ABC’s The View featured one of the most anticipated interviews for the program, Pennsylvania Lt. John Fetterman, Democratic Senate candidate and Governor. It would have been a breeze for him if you had predicted that. They refused to grill him on any topic, but instead, they repeatedly prepared him to go after critics as well as Dr. Mehmet Oz, his Republican opponent, and downplayed the clearly strained health condition.
Joy Behar, her co-host, asked him his first question about Oprah endorsement. Joy didn’t press him to release his medical records, but rather to explain what his doctors had told him.
So, today, I get it. You’re using closed captioning for questions. Let’s just ask you directly. What are your doctors telling me? Are they saying that you will make a complete recovery? A substantial recovery? Or a full recovery? What are they really saying?
Fetterman’s only information on his health came from letters written by a doctor, who happens to be one his biggest donors. This truth was, however, omitted by the cast. Ana Navarro noted that you had only released two letters from your doctor, and that you have not released your entire medical records.
Asking: “Does your government owe the voters complete transparency or have you been transparent enough?” You can accomplish the job if you do that.
Sara Haines, for her part, said she was “happy Fetterman had “released an updated Letter” from his doctor. She stated that “it is clear your post-stroke troubles were not cognitive and would not hinder your ability to serve as Senator.” So, I’m going to move on and treat your case like any other regular candidate.
Sunny Hostin, Sunny’s co-host, continued the trickery of pretending that everything about Fetterman was normal and declared: “You look and sound great!”
Hostin said that it was “incredibly courageous and brave for you to show how healing from stroke looks like.” That’s incredible brave.” She also repeated her previous assertion that Oz was a bully during the debate.
“Does this surprise you?” Do you think a Harvard graduate saw what Pennsylvanians needed to see to win their vote?
Hostin has tried to portray Oz repeatedly as a quack. He too has a Harvard degree, and while she boasts Fetterman’s, he didn’t receive his post-stroke.
Hostin was also worried and confused by the closeness of the polls:
You know, Dr. Oz was on television selling supplements, and you’ve been in politics almost two decades longer. Despite being the leader of your race, your race is still very close according to polls, which is shocking for many of us. What is your message to Pennsylvanians with the midterm elections just days away? Why should they vote John Fetterman
Faux conservative Alyssa farah Griffin was her typical weak self. Her first question was to set him up to attack critics of Democrats.
Polls consistently show that the economy is the top concern of voters, even though Lieutenant Governor. What would you say to Pennsylvanian voters who believe that Democrats have been in control of all branches of government for the past two years, and that their policies have resulted in record high inflation, high gas prices, and skyrocketing food costs?
Behar made their loyalty clear by stating that Fetterman was “in an important race” because “Pennsylvania has been a crucial state to the senate.”
This interview was possible thanks to Macy’s and Leaf Filter’s lucrative sponsorships. Their contact information can be linked.
Below is the transcript. Click “expand” for more information:
ABC’s The View
November 4, 2022
Eastern, 11:17:59
(…)
JOY BEHAR – So, in May, Sir you had a stroke that almost ended your life. It left you with severe hearing and speech problems. I understand that you are using closed captioning to answer questions. Let’s just ask you directly. What are your doctors telling me? Are they saying that you will make a full recovery? A substantial recovery? Or a complete recovery? What are they really saying?
(…)
Eastern, 11:18:54
ANA NAVARRO – Mr. Fetterman, many senators had to deal with serious health issues while in office. In the last year, Senator Lujan and Senator van Hollen had strokes. Senator Tim Johnson also had strokes. Senator Specter, a Pennsylvanian, was diagnosed with cancer while serving. None of these serious health issues have been reported to the Senate before they were elected. You have only released two letters from you doctor since your stroke and you have said that you won’t release all of your medical records.
Are you sure you owe the voters transparency or have you been transparent enough? You can do the job.
LT. GOV. JOHN FETTERMAN, D-PA: I feel that we have been leaving the exact same medical equivalent information as Dr. Oz. We’ve been running a campaign and I believe we have been very transparent with all our doctors’ beliefs, both in June and October. All agree that I am fit for service.
(…)
Eastern, 11:20:14
SUNNY HOSTIN : I think you look great and sound great. Let me ask you a question: Last week, Dr. Oz and you faced off in your first televised discussion. You said, quote, “it was not exactly easy.” It was a brave and courageous thing of you to show the world what healing after a stroke looks. That’s incredible courage.
On the other side — [applause] — Dr. Oz was a cardiac surgeon and came across as a bully to me. Ronna McDaniel (chairwoman of the Republican National Committee) mocked you and mocked your speaking skills after the debate.
Is any of this surprising to you? Do you think that Pennsylvanians saw the value in a Harvard graduate?
(…)
Eastern, 11:21:27
SARA HAINES I will treat you as a regular candidate and move on.
Dr. Oz, you often harp on his wealth and the mansions he has. You’ve been very transparent about your privilege upbringing. Can you explain the difference to those who think it is hypocritical not to hit him on that?
(…)
Eastern, 11:22:43
ALYSSA FARAH GRAFIN: The economy is consistently the number one concern of voters, according to polls. What would you say to Pennsylvanian voters who are saying that Democrats have held every branch of power for the past two years, and their policies have resulted in record high inflation, high gas prices, and skyrocketing food costs?
(…)
11:32:44 eastern
HOSTIN: Um – you know, your opponent, Dr. Oz has been in politics for nearly two decades more than you. He was on television selling supplements. Despite being the leader of your race, the polls show that your race is still very close. This is shocking to many of you. What is your message to Pennsylvanians with the midterm elections just days away? Why should they vote John Fetterman
(…)
Eastern, 11:33:56
BEHAR: You’re in an important race, sir. Pennsylvania is a critical state for the senator, and we wish them all the best.
We are grateful to John Fetterman, lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. We’ll be back.
