John Fetterman reveals undisclosed heart condition

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: ABC News

John Fetterman, Pennsylvania’s Democratic Senate nominee, released on Friday afternoon a clean bill of health in order to soon hit the campaign trail and ultimately perform in the U.S. Senate–dependent on how serious he takes his recovery from a recent stroke due to an previously unreported heart condition.

In a letter, his cardiologist, Dr. Ramesh Chandra, said that if the current lieutenant governor takes his medications and improves his diet and exercise, he’d be a fit elected official despite suffering a stroke just four days before his 67-county win in Pennsylvania’s primary elections– a result of neglecting two heart condition diagnoses from 2017.

Pennsylvania voters have quietly questioned their nominee’s fitness in the weeks after the health scare. Fetterman hasn’t been back on the campaign trail since the lead up to the election.

Fetterman responded to the doctors’ letter in a statement, writing he should have “taken his health more seriously,” while also indicating that the stroke he suffered on May 13 was “completely preventable,” based on past assertions of his heart health.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/john-fetterman-reveals-undisclosed-heart-condition/ar-AAY2Ltc?li=BBnbfcQ

[angrychair]

1. I'll be honest

I would have felt safer going against Oz with Malcolm than Fetterman. Especially now.

[BootinUp]

2. This will hurt. nt

[Polybius]

3. If he were to drop out, what happens?

Would it automatically go to Connor Lamb?

[TexasTowelie]

4. No,

I read that the state party committee decides who is the candidate if Fetterman is unable to run. The decision has to be made by August in order for that candidate's name to appear on the ballot. I suspect that the party would pay close attention to whomever Fetterman recommends for the position.

[Demsrule86]

36. No he isn't dropping out...and will be fine. Nice try though. Connor couldn't win a primary, he

wouldn't win a General. Connor Lamb is not the candidate thankfully.

[Polybius]

51. No nice try

I don't want Lamb anywhere neat the Senate. I just wanted to know what would happen. The other poster explained it.

[Demsrule86]

58. My mistake. I don't want Lamb anywhere near the Senate either. I have been convinced for

for a while that Lamb would vote with Manchin and Sinema. We need them for sure to hold the majority. But I see nothing but gridlock if we elect another like them. Thus I believe Fetterman is the best choice and he is electable too.

[Polybius]

64. It's all good

The only time that I would want a Lamb type to win a Senate nomination would be in a very Red state like Alabama. Even then, I'm not so sure.

[Demsrule86]

68. Correct...I would say Tim Ryan is a moderate and I love the guy. Although like Biden I think he

really is more progressive than people realize.

[pecosbob]

5. Bad journalism

How do you use the phrases 'clean bill of health' and 'unreported heart condition' in the same sentence?

[FarPoint]

6. Dick Cheney....

now he had and still has a serious heart condition... Cheney was with a much more compromised heart as VP and is still kicking today...over 20 years...Cheney had a pacer defibrillator during his VP reign as well....

So, don't let this announcement treat Fetterman like we are buying livestock.

[groundloop]

7. However, GOPers will most certainly exploit this.

[Maggiemayhem]

19. On the other hand, Oz has exploitable qualities also.

[yellowdogintexas]

75. and if they do, push back with President Eisenhower's medical history

FGS, he had a heart attack while he was POTUS and spent 2 weeks in the hospital! I remember seeing photos of him reading papers in his hospital bed (in a newspaper, anyone remember those?)

LBJ had already had a serious heart attack before the 1960 campaign, and had surgery while in the White House.

Sometimes being old has its advantages, especially when it comes to ancient history!

Interestingly, the country did not go into a spasm of fear because Nixon was the VP. (perhaps that should have been the case, but who knew what would happen 20 years later). Think Pence. Cheyney. At one time I would have included Quayle but he pales in comparison. He may have made himself look less than bright, but he was not the personification of evil that they were either.

[Maggiemayhem]

17. Exactly.....Written for Trump candidate Oz

[Probatim]

26. I'm sure Oz will be diagnosing Fetterman throughout the campaign.

And have miracle cures for him to run out and purchase.

[FloridaBlues]

8. Before too much time goes by he needs to do a interview from his home

So his voters can see he’s up for this campaign. The sooner the better before republicans frame him.

[Deminpenn]

9. What Dem voters are "questioning" Fetterman's health?

just askin'...

Jmo, but I think some Lamb supporters are still mad their guy lost by 40 pts and in all 67 counties, many of which contain the kind of moderate voter to whom he was supposed to appeal.

[lapucelle]

11. Where does it say that in the article? N/T

[Deminpenn]

22. Here

Pennsylvania voters have quietly questioned their nominee’s fitness in the weeks after the health scare.

My presumption is those "voters" are Dems because why would Rs care?

[lapucelle]

34. It says that "Pennsylvania voters" are questioning the candidate's "fitness" after a health scare.

Where's the part about "'Dem' voters" questioning Fetterman's "health"?

[DFW]

79. Sometimes little words make a difference

It read, „Pennsylvania voters are questioning THEIR nominee‘s fitness,“ not „THE nominee‘s fitness.“

“Their nominee“ would mean Democrats, since he‘s not the nominee of the Republicans.

Besides, Republicans never question anything said or done by their party. If Trump runs, picks Louie Gohmert as his running mate, drops dead and leaves Gohmert to head the ticket, Fox Noise will declare it a sign from God, and 42.5% of American voters will believe it, especially after he picks Loony Boobert to be his running mate.

[Demsrule86]

80. I call bullshit on that...some still sad for Lamb.

[lapucelle]

82. He is the nominee of Pennsylvania voters because he is the nominee for their Senate seat. N/T

[Doc Sportello]

23. Big +1

A lot of Collinsesque "concern" here. Doctor says no reason to think Fetterman will be unable to campaign or do his job as a senator and so far the responses are "will they pick a replacement" and the "repubs will exploit this". On a Democratic site! Sheesh

[Deminpenn]

25. That's because there are some who

think only a "moderate" can win in Pennsylvania and also are obessed with winning over Rs. The latter is like chasing the white whale.

Fetterman has the correct strategy of turning out the regular Dem voters and the "discouraged" Dems in red areas and counties. His message and bearing are going to win over blue collar voters while he's at it. In fact, this strategy is exactly how Trump won, by turning out the "unlikely" and "unlikeliest of" voters.

[Doc Sportello]

27. You know your state

And the election results overwhelmingly validate that take.

[JohnSJ]

42. Pennsylvania is a swing state, and the fact they elected Santorum and Toomy attest that it also can

be a very unpredictable state

There was a time when it was reliably blue, but so was Ohio, Wisconsin, etc.

What the hell happened?

[Demsrule86]

53. True...however...consider who they didn't elect...the last one being Katie McGinty.

Fetterman is a really good candidate and not just for PA either. We need more like him. Connor is great in the House but I don't see him going anywhere else.

[Deminpenn]

65. Whoever her campaign manager was, gave her really bad advice

She never ran on her credentials, which were good. Her entire campaign was "I'm one of 10 kids" and my parents worked hard. That was it!!!

[Demsrule86]

67. I know...I really think we can win this one...just sorry I can't vote for Fetterman as I live just

outside of PA in Ohio. I do hope to vote for him at some point for president!

[Deminpenn]

63. Here's the part most outside analysts don't understand,

even though western Pennsylvania, and that's pretty much everywhere west of Cambria county, has lost a lot of population, we vote at very high percentages. That gives western PA outsized influence in relation to its actual number of registered voters. Western Pennsylvanians are also extraordinarily loyal to candidates from the area (this will benefit Fetterman, too). That's why Santorum won. He lost because he offended those same voters with the very mundane issues of a) living in Virginia, not Penn Hills although he kept his house there; b) trying to skip out on jury duty and c) getting free tuition for his kids at a local charter cyber school. Having Bob Casey, jr as an opponent was just icing on the cake.

[JohnSJ]

66. As an outsider from California, I appreciate that analysis

[Deminpenn]

71. Every state has its nuances

nt

[JohnSJ]

74. They sure do.

[Demsrule86]

81. Casey's Dad was a very popular governor in PA...and carpetbagger Oz is going to have a

problem running against Fetterman.

[groundloop]

40. Yes GOPers will exploit this, that's just their nature

I never said I don't fully support our Democratic nominee, just that GOPers will attempt to use his health issues against him. That's what they do. Hell, just look at the awful things they say about President Biden.

Is it somehow anti Democratic Party to give an opinion about the dirty tricks GOPers will pull during an election?

[Demsrule86]

43. Yes it can be. When one echos GOP talking points on social media, it can depress the vote.

Democrats need to support our candidate period full stop. Connor Lamb for those of you reading this will not be the nominee thankfully. He would have lost the Senate seat. Not that he is a bad guy, he is not. But he could not win statewide.

[JohnSJ]

45. I don't think the health issues will fly or be effective. I think they will use his support of

Bernie Sanders to try and scare the independents with words like "socialist"

There are effective strategies to counter that, but you have to come out fast and strong if the opposition does that, before it has a chance to gain traction.

That lesson should have been learned from the example of President Obama. When they tried to equate him with Rev. Wright and Bill Ayres, he did not hesitate to push back on that characterization, and made it clear where HE stood, and what his philosophy was.

[Doc Sportello]

48. The phrasing makes it sound like they will be successful

Better and more accurate: the GOP will TRY to exploit this. I don't think it will work.

[Demsrule86]

37. Lamb supporters of course...still have a hurt that their guy lost miserably...in fact today on

on a different thread...one poster said 'if' Fetterman is the candidate...pretty telling that. I guess some think you only have to vote for the Democratic candidate if he is your guy in the primary.

[bucolic_frolic]

10. The progressive diet

Is this race now a doctor vs. the other candidate's diet?

[Demsrule86]

46. No, Fetterman will get his message out. Lamb and Kenyetta tried to make it about the gun

incident and failed miserably. If Oz tries about health or whatever attack he favors, he too will fail. And while Fetterman won't attack Democratic opponents. He will destroy Oz happily.

[dutch777]

12. He gets points for transparency but opens up questions of poor judgement

I am glad Oz is the opponent. Will have to see how Fetterman does getting back into the fight. The meds he is likely on will take some getting used to and his energy may lag.

[gab13by13]

14. Why would his energy lag?

Your energy lags when your heart is in A-fib, I know, I fought with A-fib for 9 years. I had an ablation 1 1/2 years ago that fixed my A-fib. I exercised like crazy after my heart was back in rhythm. My heart ejection % was 40% when I was in A-Fib, now because of exercise I am at a normal 55%.

Fetterman needs to exercise and lose weight, not sit back in a recliner and rest.

[dalton99a]

16. +1. Use it or lose it

[Demsrule86]

38. I thought we supported Democratic candidates here...seriously? Well you know what they say

'with friends like...you know the rest.

[Demsrule86]

47. Well, I think it is poor judgement not to support the Democratic candidate in every race.

This comment is not directed at you.

[dutch777]

87. Totally agree and glad Oz is the opponent for Fetterman

I think the Trump imprimatur will lose Oz more Repug votes that McCormick could have gotten in the general election. My neighbors are "old school traditional" Republicans and they can't stand Trump and anyone that has Trump's support has lost their's. Now I don't know if that means they vote for Fetterman or abstain or do a write in, but it won't be a vote for Oz.

[JohnSJ]

49. I have to believe that if Fetterman did not feel up to the task he would step aside. Since it

does not appear he will do that, we must assume he is up to the task, and it would be counter-productive to think otherwise.

I personally am glad he reported the situation with his health. It should take that issue off the table

Our biggest issue will be GOTV, and if the Democrats, especially the young, do not come out in droves, I will be very pissed

[dutch777]

86. I agree. I think he is a straight up guy and will do what is right for the voters. Has my vote.

[gab13by13]

13. I am a Pennsylvania voter.

"Pennsylvania voters have quietly questioned their nominee’s fitness in the weeks after the health scare."

I have not. Maybe we are posting here what GQP Republican voters are quietly saying?

How many more anti-Fetterman posts will we see leading up to November?

[Demsrule86]

39. Can I just say that the anti-Fetterman posts are a fucking disgrace and should not be posted on

DU. And some have lectured others about the importance of supporting Democratic candidates. I think some of them may want to lose the seat because they would rather have Oz than Fetterman which is mind-boggling...guess they want to be 'right'.

[FarPoint]

15. Another clinical view...

Greg Abbott is a paraplegic....he is at very high risk for sepsis...probably has a catheter for urine like a supra-pubic and maybe even a colostomy for bowels...

Abbott is at higher risk for clinical demise than Fetterman at this point.

[gab13by13]

18. A-Fib is what tires you out,

I know, I had it off and on for 9 years. Fetterman's heart is back in rhythm now and he will feel much more invigorated with his heart beating normally.

[FarPoint]

21. Absolutely he is feeling new and improved now.

As an RN....I see the benefits of his clinical interventions....Now, he needs to do his part on disease management , exercise, diet...

[brooklynite]

20. "I almost died...."

“The stroke I suffered on May 13 didn’t come out of nowhere,” Fetterman said, and “as a result, I almost died. I want to encourage others to not make the same mistake.”

https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-pennsylvania-government-and-politics-0c413bfeb7b00ceae5c172c7fa33007e

Can you understand why some of us might be concerned?

[Deminpenn]

24. I can see why you are concerned

since your candidate lost in convincing fashion, you can't seem to get over that fact and would like nothing better than for Fetterman to step aside and Lamb to replace him.

[brooklynite]

30. One of the earliest lessons I learned was: accept your losses and move on.

But in the context of the national election, there are many candidates asking for my financial support, and I need to decide which are competitive and which are not. I'm not saying Fetterman isn't; I'm saying I had concerns before and I still do.

[Demsrule86]

52. What is this their third or fourth post where you announce that Fetterman is not unlikrly to

receive donations from you? I asked you in the last post which seats are more competitive and more critical than PA...still no answer. I guess we will have to win without your help in terms of finances. First, some demanded Fetterman's doctors release all information...he has done that but now they still want Connor Lamb...not surprising but not going to happen. Fetterman will be the candidate. He will be the next Senator from the great state of Pennsylvania.

[brooklynite]

54. I've said several times which I think are more competitive...

SEN: NC and WI.
GOV: kS, Wi and PA

I keep mentioning my approach to financial support because other keep telling me my concerns about Fetterman are because I’m “angry”.

[Demsrule86]

78. I still think NC is way more of a longshot than PA.

[Deminpenn]

72. Your post-primary posts don't support your claim

We have a candidate, yet you continue to post about your concerns. You haven't "moved on". It would not surprise me at all if you are part of the whispering campaign about Fetterman's health that is making its way through the media via anonymous Dem sources.

It's not as if you have posted numerous threads on the health of Van Holland or Lujan, who also could've died from their strokes or if Van Holland, also up for re-election in Nov, should be replaced on MD's ballot. You just have concerns about our PA Dem candidate.

[Cha]

69. No.. if something happens to a Candidate

chosen in the Primary.. the State Party chooses the replacement.

Fetterman says he "almost died.". that's a little cause for concern.

💙💛

[Demsrule86]

77. It is not a concern for me and for others who supported him...he is fine and has been

transparent and will not be replaced. I know you wanted Lamb but trust me on this Lamb would lose the general. Lamb lost by 30 or more points...that is not a guy who can win. I lived in PA...and it would be even worse because Lamb is kind of boring and he would be running against Oz-a celebrity. Fetterman is just what we need. And in my opinion, the illness will probably increase his support. People like a person who is candid and a fighter and of course who listens to his wife. Nice to see you Cha...hope you and yours are well.

[Cha]

85. Yes, I wanted Conor Lamb but since

Fetterman won the primary.. I want him to win now.

This has nothing to do with wanting Conor Lamb to win.. I want Fetterman to win the GE.

And, since you brought this up again.. I don't think it's helpful to smear "Lamb with Manchin and Sinema".. Lamb voted to win in his District Kind of like what you said about Fetterman when he didn't agree with the Philly Mask Mandate.

It's divisive and not helpful.

Oz is a Fascist sociopathic Fuck.. and it's not "boring to listen to Reality.

💙💛

[Doc Sportello]

28. His doctor said he is fine to run and serve

Doesn't that alleviate your concern Sus .. I mean brooklyn?

[gab13by13]

29. Yeah, I almost died too,

my heart was beating out of rhythm at 150 beats per minute then I left my rural hospital and found a great surgeon in Pittsburghwho took care of my A-fib. My heart in 1 1/2 years is totally back to normal and I am on no medications, no implants.

[BeyondGeography]

31. Fetterman is the candidate

Will you and your lunch buddies support him?

[brooklynite]

32. Which candidate should I not support if we do?

Should I give $5,000 to Fetterman and not to Beasley? or Ryan? Or the eventual nominee in Wisconsin?

I'm tracking about 800 Democratic candidates from Senate down to Secretary of State. I can't financially support all of them. I have to decide which are the most competitive.

[Demsrule86]

55. I would say Beasley is the weakest among that group as we have never won NC...

[brooklynite]

57. You're forgetting Kay Hagan...

…and the fact that NC has had a Democratic Governor and AG for six years.

[Demsrule86]

60. Kay Hagan was back in 08. As for Cheri Beasley, she was just added to Schumer's

Senate Majority Pack. Budd still has a slight edge...but yeah I can see where she is worth supporting. However, so is Fetterman. It is a very important seat.

[Demsrule86]

41. No, I do not. I think it is a matter of some folks didn't get the candidate they wanted. And

most of them have never lived in PA and know nothing about PA. I lived there for years. And Fetterman has a good chance of winning.

[brooklynite]

44. We'll, I HAVE lived in Pennsylvania...

I’ve held political office in Pennsylvania. And unless you’re prepare to accuse me of lying, I’d appreciate it if you’d accept the reasons I’ve given for my concern, and not invent motives for me.

[Demsrule86]

56. I absolutely think you are telling the truth...but I bet you lived in PA years ago right?

I question whether you understand what happened to the Democratic Party after you left and believe that you don't understand today's Pennsylvania. Fetterman is a great candidate for not only PA but also for the rustbelt...WI, MI, and OH (he is like Sherrod) ETC.

Consider despite the stroke...he won the primary by double digits and is very popular in PA...hell I think he may be president one day. And the 'well I support him but I won't support him financially'...is just another way of saying you don't support Fetterman fully. He is the Democratic nominee. It is not 'if' he is the Democratic nominee. Now, onto the General. You can do as you please as is your right.

[brooklynite]

59. In that case I don't support dozens of candidates fully.

I'm not in this for a candidate; I'm in this for the Democratic Party. Its not enough to win Pennsylvania; we have to hold AND expand the Senate. And hold the House. And hold Governerships. And elect AGs and SOSs. So I have to make choices.

[Demsrule86]

61. Fetterman is a great fund raiser...he had so much more money than other candidates...so

I don't care if you choose not to support him financially. Winning PA would expand the Senate assuming all the Senators we have currently won. Biden would get nothing no judges and no legislation if we lose the Senate.

[Demsrule86]

62. This is my final word on the matter as it is your money to do with as you choose. I think you

are wrong not to support Fetterman. The Senate race in Pennsylvania is a very important race and is likely to make the difference in whether we hold the Senate or we don't.

[Deminpenn]

73. You lived in Philadelphia which is not like

the rest of Pennsylvania. Your elected office was committeeperson or ward leader, iirc from your posts.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

50. Concerned that he learned his lesson and changed his behavior?

Shows me that he's an intelligent person who learns from his mistakes. Not a negative to me.

[andricv]

33. He's being transparent. I like that.

He will be a great senator.

[turbinetree]

35. John Fetterman will be alright....and if anyone wants to question his fitness.....

just think about a "guy" that sells BS and supported a "guy" that wanted to over throw an election.... you know committing treason.....and I and millions of others have heart disease and we are still here.......someone needs to ask Oz if he thinks my vote should have been thrown out since I vote .....and does he support a peaceful transfer of power or does he think about sitting in some office with conspiracy to overthrow a government if he doesn't get his fucking way....because in the end this OZ character wanted and got his support from someone that tried to do that with help lots of help, you know the political party called the RNC paying for his (trump...I mean traitors) legal fees....so fuck him and that train he rides and everyone that supports that shit.........




John Fetterman donation page ActBlue:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/pasen?refcode=jsc

[LudwigPastorius]

70. I get it. Nobody likes going to the doctor.

If you want to ignore it and possibly kill yourself, have at it, but when you're a candidate you must disclose medical conditions that could adversely affect your ability to perform your duties, and untreated aFib is one of those.

I hope his earlier lack of candor doesn't hurt his chances.

[Demsrule86]

76. Do you? First of all there was no lack of candor and secondly...let me assure you Fetterman will

be just fine. I am sure that must be a big relief and all.

[LudwigPastorius]

83. I wasn't aware that he informed the public that he had been diagnosed with...

a heart condition 5 years ago.

[The Grand Illuminist]

84. This is a commandment for respect of Fetterman.

He is choosing sacrifice of his life to serve the greater good of our nation.