Philadelphia Inquirer: Fetterman deserves our respect, not ridicule, after the U.S. Senate debate

[Nevilledog]

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Most people who suffer from an injury do not have to recover on a public stage.

John Fetterman, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, deserves credit — not ridicule — for taking the debate stage Tuesday night, while still recovering from a stroke he suffered in May.

During the debate, Fetterman used closed captioning to help comprehend questions. At times, his speech was halting, and he struggled to fully articulate his thoughts. But Fetterman did not lose sight of the issues he is passionate about: fighting for a living wage, improving health care, making abortion legal nationwide, and gun safety, among other topics.

The debate format also worked against Fetterman. The questions came rapid fire and the time allotted to respond was tightly controlled. While the moderators did a good job of enforcing those time limits, Fetterman should have been allowed additional time to read the questions before the clock started running.

Fetterman showed courage in taking the debate stage in Harrisburg. Many Americans — whether from lack of experience or lack of understanding — are unaccustomed to or uncomfortable with special accommodations for those with disabilities. If elected to the U.S. Senate, Fetterman could become a role model in helping the nation better understand that a person’s struggles can also be a source of strength.

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