"The conversation should have been that it was sad he ended up where he did and that he was arguably taken advantage of by people who should put his health first. "For any member of Congress, there are layers and layers of people around you and, in a statewide campaign with a following like Fetterman's, that was the case on a massive scale and considering his slow cognitive recovery from a stroke," Houck added. It's not pointing fingers at any one individual, but a collective effort of where things broke down by his team and a press that, aside from NBC's Dasha Burns, breathlessly worked to get him in office," Houck said. "As someone who's struggled with their mental health over the years, the question should be asked as to how the senator got into this position. The Times reported, "It is not unusual for lawmakers to be told by members of their staff, sometimes after the fact, what bills they are co-sponsoring," although it noted there are drawbacks to not being physically at the Capitol. The Times report liberally quoted Fetterman's chief of staff Adam Jentleson, a longtime Democratic operative who has been sharply critical of voices who questioned Fetterman's fitness and blocked some conservative critics wondering how he is running his office from a hospital. "Committee hearings, community appearances, press conferences, and votes are just a few of the areas that require a sitting representative's presence in a way an unknown staffer can never fill." But to imply it's really no big deal that a senator can be absent for an indefinite period of time and all that's needed is a staff to run a Senate seat is insulting to both constituents and the institution," Houck continued. "The New York Times was correct to state that much of the work in a congressperson's office is done by staff, down to press releases, tweets, and writing legislation. At the same time, Fetterman's a senator for a key state that's still one of the largest in the country by population and elected in perhaps the most-covered race from the midterms," Houck told Fox News Digital, pointing to a March 9 New York Times story headlined "Cloistered at Walter Reed, Fetterman Runs His Senate Operation From Afar," as an example of botched coverage. "The media are wholly capable of doing two things at once in putting the spotlight on mental health and how the stresses of work and campaigning can wear someone down. He had a separate hospital stay after feeling lightheaded at a retreat for high-powered Democrats. Prior to that, Fetterman battled for weeks to adjust to his role as senator, relying on technological aids to help him communicate with colleagues and his own staff. Fetterman went on to victory in a huge Democratic pickup and took office in January.įetterman was already struggling to adjust to Senate life when he was hospitalized in February for clinical depression. But skepticism that Fetterman would be able to handle the rigors of office largely came from the right as Democrats’ allies in the mainstream media defended him at all costs and criticized Republicans like Mehmet Oz's Senate campaign who took shots at Fetterman's fitness. Scott Applewhite, File)įetterman's health was under scrutiny after he suffered a stroke while campaigning for the Pennsylvania seat. military shot down this weekend at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. John Fetterman, D-Pa., leaves an intelligence briefing on the unknown aerial objects the U.S. Absentee voting is also available based on need.Sen. Once registered, you have the choice of early voting or voting on the day of the election. If you aren't registered, you'll need to register to vote at least 30 days before the election you want to vote in. You must be registered to vote under the correct name and address. The Election Commission is responsible for coordinating and administering federal, state, and local elections in Washington County. Washington County Elected Officials' Informationįor a list of Elected Officials and contact information click here Annual School Election, City of Lincoln, City of Springdale and Tontitown Area Fire Department Election Informationįor complete information click here CHECK YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION AND VIEW YOUR SAMPLE BALLOT
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