Polls Are Looking Better for Dr. Oz

According to Real Clear Politics' polling history of the Senate race in Pennsylvania, Republican Mehmet Oz hasn't led in any of the 18 major polls conducted since June, but the spread has narrowed considerably between him and Democratic opponent John Fetterman. Per Politico, a recent poll sponsored by the AARP shows Fetterman leading by just 2 points, within the poll's margin of error. If favorability ratings mean anything, Fetterman still has an edge, as 46% of voters view him favorably, compared to 38% for Oz, who also appears unfavorable to 50% of voters.

While Oz's favorability rating has improved since June, it's still a weakness this close to November, according to Democratic pollster John Anzalone, who still sees good news for Fetterman. "It's not only good to be ahead," Anzalone told Politico. "It's good to be ahead with an opponent who still has a net-unfavorable in terms of how people perceive him." Anzalone's counterpart, Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio, says Oz's best hope may rest with the 4% of voters who remain undecided. "They're more interested in economic issues than they are in social issues," Fabrizio said. "So those things hold some glimmer of hope for, obviously, Oz."

Fetterman's health has been more of an issue lately. While he acknowledges he still has auditory processing issues since suffering a stroke in May, his campaign insists he's on the road to recovery. Still, Republicans are looking for an advantage on the issue. Per the Washington Post, the Republican National Committee tweeted an ad showing clips of Fetterman's verbal stumbles with the caption, "Is John Fetterman capable of being a senator?" Oz raised the issue days later, tweeting that Fetterman "won't be honest about his health." Meanwhile, Fetterman has used the issue to stoke empathy. At a Saturday rally, he asked attendees with health challenges to raise their hands and said, "I certainly hope that you did not have a doctor in your life making fun of it or telling you that you aren't able to work or fit to serve." (More Pennsylvania stories.)