Voters weigh in: PA Senate candidates Dr Oz, John Fetterman set to partake in first debate as Oz closes gap

Pennsylvania Senate candidates Dr. Oz and John Fetterman are set to face off in their only debate yet on Tuesday as the race continues to narrow with just two weeks to go to the Midterm Elections.

Senior fellow at Millersville University Terry Madonna, Real Clear Pennsylvania editor Charles McElwee and Commonwealth Foundation executive vice president Jennifer Stefano joined "Fox & Friends Weekend," Sunday, to discuss the race and what issues are top of mind for Pennsylvanians. 

"It's a battle of voting margins and the historically working-class regions of Pennsylvania," McElwee told co-host Todd Piro. "So many of those throughout the state, they were once a solidly Democratic turnout, trending Republican. And likewise, in suburbia, places that were once solidly Republican are now Democrat. So when you see this realignment, that's really a microcosm of the nation, it's reflective of this tight race. And therefore, what we're seeing now appears to be accurate."

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE EDITORIAL BOARD QUESTIONS FETTERMAN'S HEALTH, ABILITY TO SERVE AFTER STROKE

"When you look at the issues, crime, and the economy, they are the top concerns, and they aren't limited to greater Philadelphia," he continued. 

An AARP poll released earlier this week indicated Dr. Oz is within striking distance of Fetterman, garnering 46% support in comparison to Fetterman's 48%. 

The margin of error is 4.4%. 

But critics have repeatedly raised questions surrounding Fetterman's health and his fitness to serve since he suffered a stroke back in May. 

He recently partook in an NBC interview where he used closed captioning to communicate with the reporter, and many have suggested this is cause for concern. 

He will also be using a closed captioning system during the duo's debate this week. 

"He has what his physician calls an auditory processing problem, and he's using closed captioning during the debate, which means he will read the questions," Madonna said. "So I think in some respects, we've got some very important issues in this state to discuss."

"But how John Fetterman handles himself in terms of being able to respond to questions without jumbling words, without mixing up what he has to say, that is on everybody's mind who's been following this election in the state of Pennsylvania," he continued. 

Despite Fetterman's health concerns, the economy, crime, and even education have proved to be key issues for many Pennsylvanians ahead of Election Day. 

"I think what you're going to see is John Fetterman try to win back some of the margin of working class individuals who have been not only [been] impacted by economics, but by the crime situation," Stefano said. "And if you look at any poll in Pennsylvania, the number one thing voters want to know is not just about the economy and crime. And by the way, education is also rounding out the top five, but which candidate actually cares about me?"

The debate, hosted by Nexstar Television, will take place this coming Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 8 pm EST and will be broadcasted through the state's 67 counties. 

Author Salman Rushdie Loses Use Of Eye And Hand After Stabbing Attack

Famed author Salman Rushdie lost the use of one hand and an eye after an attack in August by a man who stormed the stage and stabbed him in the neck and torso several times — his agent confirmed last week.

Rushdie, the target of a 1989 death warrant issued by Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini over his groundbreaking book “The Satanic Verses,” was wounded while on stage at the Chautauqua Institution in New York on August 12, just before he planned on speaking about artistic freedom.

Andrew Wylie, literary agent for Rushdie, told Spain’s El País that the 75-year-old author would survive the brutal attack after his team kept the details of his injuries private until now.

“[His wounds] were profound, but he’s [also] lost the sight of one eye,” Wylie said. “He had three serious wounds in his neck. One hand is incapacitated because the nerves in his arm were cut. And he has about 15 more wounds in his chest and torso. So, it was a brutal attack.”

Wylie did not confirm whether his client was still hospitalized.

“I can’t give any information about his whereabouts,” Wylie said. “He’s going to live…That’s the more important thing.”

Rushdie’s “The Satanic Verses” title referred to verses of the Quran that Rushdie claimed had been removed; he also made references to Islam that hard-liners deemed offensive. Such offenses compelled the Iranian regime to offer more than $3 million to anyone who killed Rushdie.

“I inform the proud Muslim people of the world that the author of the Satanic Verses book, which is against Islam, the Prophet and the Koran, and all those involved in its publication who are aware of its content are sentenced to death,” Khomeini stated in his fatwa targeting Rushdie.

Iranian Prime Minister Mir Hussein Mousavi urged Hezbollah groups to “take the necessary action” against Rushdie, a native of India.

Rushdie denied the accusation that the book is blasphemous against Islam.

“I doubt very much Khomeini or anyone else in Iran has read this book or anything more than selected extracts taken out of context,” Rushdie said.

The mandate imposed by Iranian officials sent the author into hiding, where he spent the majority of nearly ten years living underground.

Hadi Matar, 24, of Fairview, New Jersey — accused of stabbing Rushdie — pleaded not guilty to second-degree attempted murder and assault charges in the days following the attack.

Authorities have since incarcerated Matar after a Chautauqua County District Court grand jury charged him with one count of second-degree attempted murder and one count of second-degree assault, according to The Guardian.

Wylie said he and Rushdie had previously discussed the possibility of an attack after Iran’s Ayatollah imposed Islamic law calling for his death.

“The principal danger that he faced so many years after the fatwa was imposed is from a random person coming out of nowhere and attacking [him],” he said. “So, you can’t protect against that because it’s totally unexpected and illogical.”

“It was like John Lennon’s murder,” he added.

Hank Berrien contributed to this report. 

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