A Senate race that tells us so much about modern America

The Pennsylvania Senate race between Lt Gov John Fetterman and TV personality Dr Mehmet Oz has become a slugfest as the November midterm elections rapidly approach.

But the GOP has struggled to land a punch on Mr Fetterman, the 6ft 8in hoodie-wearing Democrat politician currently in the lead for the crucial Senate seat. In fact, the attacks against Mr Fetterman seem to have only endeared Pennsylvania voters to him, as the state lieutenant governor was ahead of his Republican opponent in recent polling of the race.

Earlier this month, Fox News host Tucker Carlson tried attacking Mr Fetterman over his numerous tattoos. “All your stupid little fake tattoos, it’s a costume, of course. Duh, it’s not real,” the Fox host said on his show.

It turns out Mr Fetterman’s tattoos are tributes to victims of gun violence during his time as mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania. That made Mr Carlson’s comments seem like an unfortunate misstep.

And this week, Dr Oz attempted another “costume” critique against Mr Fetterman over the politician’s casual clothing choices. “When he dresses like that, he’s kicking authority in the balls,” Dr Oz quipped on a podcast.

But Mr Fetterman’s populist appeal seems to be a big selling point for the candidate. Pennsylvania voters are more likely to resemble Mr Fetterman than Dr Oz, a wealthy former television host who owns multiple homes, including in neighbouring New Jersey, where he has long resided.

The fact that Mr Fetterman holds a comfortable lead despite recently suffering a stroke speaks to his broad appeal, and to Dr Oz’s political weakness. One candidate embodies his electorate, while the other recently couldn’t articulate just how many homes he owns. Former president Donald Trump’s endorsement of Dr Oz doesn’t seem to have boosted him in any tangible way – indeed, it may well have harmed him.

It’s a long-held cliché in politics that voters go for the candidate with whom they would most like to have a beer. Dr Oz would seem to fail that test, not least of all after he filmed a politically disastrous video highlighting skyrocketing inflation by shopping for crudités and tequila.

Mr Fetterman, by contrast, would probably opt for a cheesesteak and a Yuengling lager. He mocked Dr Oz for that particular video segment, adding that he’d be much more likely to cut the pretension and refer to the assorted vegetables as a “veggie tray”. Most Pennsylvania voters, it seems, feel the same.

Yours,

David Taintor

US deputy editor