Comment From a small box in the upper-right corner of the Zoom screen, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman appeared, raising both hands to express surprise at the dozens of campaign volunteers who signed up Tuesday afternoon for social media training. “Hey everyone, hello!” Fetterman said, according to a video of the session provided to the Washington Post. “And so, thank you all, and let me stop by saying, you know, we’re not the special guests, you’re all special, and I just want to thank you for doing this and, and, helping this campaign.” The brief greeting to supporters is Fetterman’s first unhinged appearance since suffering a near-fatal stroke nearly two months ago, sidelining him just days before the Pennsylvania Democratic Senate primary he won in May. He has been sidelined as he focuses on his recovery, his absence sparking questions about whether he would be mentally and physically fit enough for a strong campaign in one of the most important races in the country. In the Zoom video shown by The Post, a smiling Fetterman sat next to his wife, Gisele, wearing his signature oversized hoodie, this blue one. A “Fetterman for Senate” banner hung on a white brick wall behind them. While he was only on camera for a few minutes, he spoke clearly and showed no obvious signs of a speech impediment. “I never, ever feel like I’m entitled to support, but the fact that you have it, I’m so grateful for it, and you know, from the bottom of my heart I want to thank you and what you want us to do to help us turn this around.” seat. Thank you very much,” Fetterman told the volunteers on the call. Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman participated in a Zoom campaign call on July 12, one of his first appearances since suffering a stroke in May. (Video: The Washington Post) In recent days, Fetterman has begun to take baby steps back into the fray, though there are no definite plans to resume traditional campaigning with statewide voters. Fetterman’s advisers are adamant he will be ready to face his Republican challenger, famed talk show host and heart surgeon Mehmet Oz, in November. In a statement to The Post, Oz’s campaign acknowledged Fetterman’s health condition and then took a swipe at his politics. “As a physician, Dr. “Oz has performed thousands of heart procedures, so he understands how scary this situation is for the patient and the family and is praying for John Fetterman’s recovery,” said Brittany Yannick, Oz’s spokeswoman. “Now that he’s back, John Fetterman can’t hide from voters forever. The people of Pennsylvania will soon learn about John Fetterman’s radical ideas… We’re glad John is back to health so we can focus less on his heart and hoods and more on the crazy far-left ideas he has in his head.” . Candidate challenges, primary scars have GOP worried about Senate chances Party leaders in the state are eager to see Fetterman back out on the campaign trail. During the qualifiers he made several stops a day, speaking to large crowds and stopping for selfies with anyone who wanted a photo. “Democrats are worried because John is a tremendous campaigner in person, and we’re worried because every day he can’t get out and campaign in person is a day we could take another step toward victory,” said former Pennsylvania Gov. Edwards. G. Rendell. Fetterman surprised volunteers with a personal visit to a field office Saturday and, according to a video posted on Twitter, told them he would be back on the trail “soon.” After the quick greeting on Tuesday’s Zoom call, his campaign said, he made a virtual appearance at a fundraiser hosted by JStreetPAC, the political arm of the liberal pro-Israel group. This event lasted over an hour and received questions from donors. Next Thursday he is scheduled to hold his first events, including an afternoon fundraiser followed by a sold-out private rally organized by Democratic Jewish Outreach Pennsylvania, a political action committee that is closed to the media. JStreet spokesman Logan Bayroff confirmed Fetterman’s virtual presence at the hour-long event, which was attended by about 100 people, and that he engaged in a lengthy exchange with donors for about 25 minutes. “He sounded good. He obviously acknowledged that he’s on the road to recovery, but he sounded good,” Bayroff said. “We’re fully aware that he’s on his way back to the trail and … we’re extremely excited and grateful that he’s back out there and taking the time to meet with us.” The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is hosting a fundraiser for Fetterman in DC on Tuesday, headlined by Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) that the candidate is not in attendance. President Biden is scheduled to be in Philadelphia for a Democratic National Committee fundraiser on Wednesday, according to multiple sources, but Fetterman is not involved. Democrats across the state say they remain committed to Fetterman’s candidacy, and no one has seriously suggested he withdraw from the race because of his health. Joe Calvello, Fetterman’s spokesman, responded to a question about Fetterman not running with a string of expletives. “John Fetterman will be at the top of the ticket this November,” Calvello said. “Our campaign is going full speed ahead, we’re organizing, we’re on TV, John and our team are 100 per cent focused on turning this seat blue.” Although Fetterman hasn’t hit the trail physically, he’s fully engaged and active, his advisers say. On Tuesday, before the Zoom pop-in and virtual appearance at the fundraiser, Fetterman took morning calls and had a brainstorming session with his communications team. He went for a 4.7-mile walk on a trail near his home in Braddock, Pa., and also took a call with Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.). “I had a good conversation with John Fetterman about the urgent need to address pressing issues for working families in Pennsylvania, Montana and across the country, such as lowering the cost of gas, groceries and prescription drugs,” Tester said in an emailed statement. “He’s not your typical candidate, and he’s exactly the kind of person we need most in the Senate, and I know he’s working hard to get that done in November.” The Pennsylvania Senate race is critical to Democrats’ hopes of holding on to their slim majority in a difficult political year. Flipping the seat, currently held by retiring Republican Sen. Patrick J. Toomey, could help dampen expected GOP victories elsewhere. The state has a long history of swinging between political parties, electing Barack Obama by wide margins in 2008 and 2012, but choosing Toomey in 2010 on that year’s tea party wave. Pennsylvania voters then chose Donald Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020. Fetterman, 52, a towering presence at nearly 6 feet 9 inches who is rarely seen in a suit and tie, has built a brand on everyman personality. Many Democrats believe he will appeal to the state’s more independent voters, particularly the working class, against Oz, a wealthy celebrity. “You couldn’t have a better situation in a worse year,” said TJ Rooney, former chairman of the Democratic Party, referring to the race between Fetterman and Oz. “It’s the ying and the yang, the up and the down, the opposites, he’s shaping up as you could hope other than he’s had a medical setback and he’s the 800-pound gorilla in the room.” Few people have seen Fetterman speak outside of brief, scripted appearances filmed and promoted on social media by his campaign. After his stroke, his campaign did not reveal the severity of his illness for weeks. On the day of the May primary, Fetterman underwent surgery to install a pacemaker with a defibrillator, which campaign officials said doctors told them was needed to treat atrial fibrillation (A-fib). Nearly three weeks later, his cardiologist revealed the medical device was needed to treat cardiomyopathy — a disease diagnosis Fetterman first received in 2017 that reduces the amount of blood his heart could pump. Fetterman also later stated that he “almost died”. The state Democratic Party has until Aug. 15 to replace Fetterman on the ballot, but if anyone is thinking that, they’re not saying. “Who the hell are you going to replace him with?” Rooney said. “It’s certainly not up for debate and it’s incomprehensible and inconceivable at this point.” Most Democrats take solace in Fetterman’s absence from the trail in the dog days of summer, when the average voter isn’t tuned into the politics of the races. From his home, Fetterman has trolled Oz on social media, mostly because of his residence in New Jersey, and tweeted a compilation video of Oz’s many mansions that has been viewed more than a million times. Over the Fourth of July weekend, Fetterman’s campaign flew a plane over the New Jersey shore, where many Philadelphians spend their summer weekends, carrying the message: “Hey, Dr. Oz, Welcome home to NJ! ♥ John.” Then on Thursday, Fetterman’s campaign paid Snooki, the reality star from the latest “Jersey Shore” show, to make a cameo for Oz telling him, “Jersey will not forget you.” Fetterman also continued to air television ads in the state, including one that ran across the state calling Oz “Doc Hollywood” and attacking him for not living in Pennsylvania. Mark Alderman, a major Democratic donor in the state, said Fetterman’s appeal is his ability to channel the emotions of an angry electorate. Alderman said there is concern among Democrats about whether his health is forcing him to tone down that image. “He’s a visceral candidate, people are crazy, he seems crazy, he looks like the guy you want on your side if you’re crazy,” Alderman said. “Anything that distracts from his public persona as a tall, strong, powerful, angry guy…
