HOW HIGH ARE ORDINARY PEOPLE'S DEBATE EXPECTATIONS, REALLY?

John Fetterman had a bad debate last night.

Fetterman is asked about previously saying he wanted to eliminate fracking:

"I support fracking and I don't I support fracking and I stand and I do support fracking." pic.twitter.com/JWE20t3kWi

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 26, 2022

Our debate formats require candidates to offer tight, nimble, complex-sounding answers that deflect attacks and put opposing candidates on the defensive, with every answer coming in a short span of time. If you have sixty seconds to reply to a question or fifteen seconds for a rebuttal, as Fetterman and Mehmet Oz did last night, you need to be fast and sharp. Oz was, although he fell into a pitfall with an answer on abortion that's now being used in attacks by the Fetterman campaign and its allies.

OMG. He really said this!

Dr. Oz: Women’s reproductive decisions should be between a woman, her doctor, and her local political leaders.

😳 pic.twitter.com/3L0rKCGgtx

— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) October 26, 2022

But Fetterman stumbled throughout the debate. It might cost him the election -- but it also might have very little effect.

Most ordinary people are afraid of public speaking. Most would have trouble giving articulate, pointed answers to questions not known in advance on a wide range of subjects over the course of an hour, even with preparation.

I'm not surprised that the incurious and inarticulate Herschel Walker is still in contention in the Georgia Senate race and I won't be surprised if the stroke-impaired and now inarticulate John Fetterman remains in contention in the Pennsylvania Senate race. Debating is an elitist skill. Most Americans can't do it. So they might not be rejecting two candidates for whom it's a struggle.

*****

AND:

Inbox: Fetterman raises more than $1m in the three hours since the #PASen debate

— Charlotte Alter (@CharlotteAlter) October 26, 2022

After last night, some people might be rooting for him even more.