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Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman acknowledged that his debate Tuesday night against Dr. Mehmet Oz was not easy, but defended his decision to appear and show voters he will absolutely be ready to serve come January.

Fetterman, the Democratic candidate and Pennsylvanias current lieutenant governor, made the comments Thursday night on MSNBC s The ReidOut, his first television appearance since the debate against his Republican opponent. Fetterman was left with an auditory processing disorder after a stroke earlier this year, and his appearance prompted some concerns among Democrats that his halting answers could hamstring his bid for the Senate.

His doctors have cleared him for office, saying he has no work restrictions. But Oz spent months criticizing his opponent and took several jabs at his health during the debate Tuesday.

I acknowledge that any debate isnt going to be easy for somebody in recovery, we thought it was important to be there and we showed up, Fetterman, who used screens with closed captioning during the debate, told host Joy Reid. Weve always showed up. Of course its not going to be easy, and if anyone wants to mock that or make fun of that Its about getting knocked down and getting back up and fighting.

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.@JohnFetterman, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate for #Pennsylvania: \"One of the things we always remind everybody is that by January I will be much, much better, but OZ will still be a fraud.\" #TheReidOut pic.twitter.com/ddjDIbZHdb

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.@JohnFetterman , Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate for #Pennsylvania : "One of the things we always remind everybody is that by January I will be much, much better, but OZ will still be a fraud." #TheReidOut pic.twitter.com/ddjDIbZHdb
The ReidOut (@thereidout) October 27, 2022

The race, one of Democrats best hopes to pick up a GOP Senate seat during the midterms, is effectively deadlocked and could decide control of the chamber for the next two years.

Fetterman wouldnt commit to releasing his full medical records during the debate Tuesday, but has stressed he will be healthy and ready to serve in Congress if hes elected next month.

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By January Ill be much, much better, Fetterman said. But Oz will still be a fraud.

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