Last night my husband and I tuned in for the opening salvoes of the debate between the two aspiring Pennsylvania senators, John Fetterman (D) and Mehmet Oz (R). It was so embarrassing I could barely watch, and after the very first question we had seen enough and switched to another debate, this one between Ron DeSantis (R) and Charlie Crist (D) campaigning to be Florida's next governor. (DeSantis is running for a second term.)
In both debates, with the exception of Ron DeSantis, none of the participants answered any question put to them by the debate moderator. (In the Florida debate it was a local TV news Barbie doll with the longest false eyelashes I have ever seen. But I digress.) Sadly, the current and wannabe leaders of both political parties are sorely lacking in the sterling qualities we once demanded of them, honesty being the linchpin.
As for Fetterman, bless his heart, he suffered a stroke recently and while he claims he is "fine" and fit to serve, last night he seemed nothing short of pathetic. Looking like a deer in the headlights he rambled on nonsensically, spoke haltingly and left many of his sentences, which were off-topic anyway, unfinished. He also required a projected captioning system to keep up with the posed questions and the answers of his opponent. I wonder, will they provide that service for him in the senate chamber? Should he win, Not My Senator! bumper stickers will be rampant in PA.
His opponent, well-known as Dr. Oz from the Oprah Winfrey show and other TV appearances, was smooth as silk -- not surprising considering he has spent most of his career in front of a camera. But he has no political experience, is instead some sort of doctor, and dodged the first and key question put to both men: "What qualifies you to be a senator?" Oz never went there, instead spewing platitudes on the great things he will do for the citizens of Pennsylvania. (More Not My Senator! bumper stickers, please.)
Meanwhile, over at the Crist/DeSantis throw down things were tense from the get-go. Crist, a seemingly first-generation descendant of Satan, turned every question into an opportunity to insult DeSantis. He never once answered anything without immediately pointing to his rival and railing about what a bad man he is, as if there had been no question asked of him at all. (Definitely "Not My Governor!" bumper sticker material.)
As for DeSantis, he did well as far as answering questions and staying on topic, except for one: Will he serve out a full term or is he planning to run for president? On this he remained mum, despite the fact that Crist asked it of him every chance he got, meaning every time his opened his mouth. Still, DeSantis at least had many facts at his fingertips and rattled off the considerable good he has done while in office at lightning speed. He's right -- many people are moving to Florida, and for all good reasons.
The whole thing was sickening and before we were overcome with nausea we gratefully switched to old episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm, where at least all the people being mean to one another are actors paid to do so, and plus they're funny.