Pennsylvania Senate candidates trade blows in critical election debate

HOUSTON, US

Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Mehmet Oz traded blows in Tuesday night's critical first and only Senate debate in the US state of Pennsylvania.

The winner could help shift the balance of power in the US Senate with the race neck-and-neck heading into the final two weeks before the midterm elections.

The candidates sparred over inflation, abortion and crime. They also addressed foreign relations with China and Iran, as well as former President Donald Trump.

Oz criticized his opponent's failure to battle inflation and committed to cutting the state's budget "to make sure we don't have to raise taxes."

Fetterman agreed inflation was taking its toll on working families in Pennsylvania, saying "we must push back against corporate greed" and "price gouging."

On abortion, Oz continued his stance that he supports the overturning of Roe v. Wade with exceptions in cases of rape, incest and protecting the life of a mother. He also emphasized that abortion should not be controlled at the federal level and that "states can decide for themselves."

Fetterman made it clear that "Roe v. Wade for me should be the law" while saying his opponent celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Oz said he would continue to push for gun reform and criticized his opponent for letting crime run out of control while Fetterman has served as Pennsylvania's lieutenant governor.

Fetterman, who previously served as mayor in the town of Braddock, said "I was able to stop five-and-a-half years of gun violence as mayor" and Oz "has no experience."

When asked what the greatest foreign threat is to the US, Fetterman answered: "I believe China is not our friend…and we need to stand against China."

Fetterman also took a swipe at Oz, saying: "I believe that Dr. Oz has chosen to manufacture all of his merchandise with his name on it in China. Which one of us on this stage is going to stand up against it?"

Oz replied that the biggest threat is "the fact that our country is not projecting strength. Take for example what we're doing with Iran in order to try to get them to give us a little oil so we can deal with the catastrophe that Russia has caused. We have gone to them and tried to sign a deal that would allow them once again to have the nuclear power to blow up Israel, which they promised they would do. John Fetterman supports that deal. It doesn't make any sense for America."

When Oz was asked if he would support Trump for a 2024 presidential run, he answered: "I'll support whoever the Republican party puts up."

The moderator pressed: "Mr. Oz, Donald Trump has supported you, he has endorsed you. Why won't you fully commit to supporting him in 2024?"

To which Oz responded: "Oh, I do. I would support Donald Trump if he decided to run for president, alright, but this is bigger than one candidate."

Fetterman was asked about his health and fitness to serve if elected. He had suffered a stroke back in May.

It had become a punching bag issue for Oz which has helped him to close the gap in the polls over the past several weeks.

While Fetterman would not commit to releasing his medical records, he said: "My doctor believes I'm fit to be serving."

However, it was clear that Fetterman had difficulty answering questions clearly during the debate.

Both candidates agreed to use a closed captioning system beforehand to allow Fetterman to process the questions properly.