- John Fetterman and Dr. Mehmet Oz faced off in Tuesday’s first and only debate.
- Fetterman said that abortion should be a national protected right.
- Oz stated that he did not support a federal ban on marijuana, but suggested that states should have the right to prohibit it.
In an echo of the language used by supporters of abortion rights, Dr. Mehmet Oz on Tuesday said he too believes the question of whether to terminate a pregnancy is best left to a woman and her doctor — but then he continued, adding a third party: state politicians.
Oz was the only person to debate his Democratic opponent, Pennsylvania’s Lt. Governor. John Fetterman was the star doctor who became a Republican candidate for Senate. He was asked to answer a question that he had previously avoided: Would he support legislation from South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, which would ban most abortions after 15 weeks?
Oz responded that the federal government should not interfere in “how states decide to abort their babies.”
Oz said that he would instead leave the matter up to “women doctors local political leaders, letting democracy that’s allowed our nation thrive to put forward the best ideas so states can make their own decisions.”
Oz’s view on abortion has changed over time. He defended Roe V. Wade in 2019, saying that he was a doctor who had seen women suffering “.”Truly traumatic events“” from having illegal, “coat-hanger”, abortions.” Oz, however ran in the GOP primaries, changed his mind and now calls abortion “Morrowing.” He also argued that Tuesday’s opponent would allow abortion at 38 week, on the delivery tables. (These abortions are typically due to fetal abnormalities being discovered or the need of protecting the life of mother; 99% abortions happen before 21 weeks).
In Pennsylvania, Republican lawmakers are seeking to prohibit most abortions, with Doug Mastriano — the candidate for governor who Oz appeared with last month at a rally with former President Donald Trump — proposing a ban that would allow no exceptions for rape, incest, or the life of the mother. Oz said that he supports these exceptions. But, the position Oz presented Tuesday would allow GOP-led States to decide otherwise.
Fetterman, by contrast, said he would support enshrining abortion rights in a federal law — and, in the meantime, providing federally assisted transportation so that people in states with current bans can access health care elsewhere.
“I want every Pennsylvania woman to see my face. Fetterman stated that if Dr. Oz believes that you have the right to choose your reproductive freedom, you can make it happen. “But if abortion is something you feel belongs to you and your doctor, then I would fight for that.”
