Pittsburgh paper's editorial board raises concerns about Democrat Senate nominee Fetterman's health

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, one of Pennsylvania's most popular papers, is questioning state Democrat Senate nominee John Fetterman's health since he had a stroke in May and has yet to debate his GOP rival.

"If Mr. Fetterman is not well enough to debate his opponent, that raises serious concerns about his ability to serve as a United States senator," the paper's editorial board wrote this week. 

Lt. Gov. Fetterman said late last month he would not debate Republican nominee Dr. Mehemet Oz, citing his stroke recovery and calling the event a "farce."

However, he said Wednesday that he'd debate Oz once in October. However, his campaign is still working out auditory processing accommodations, Politico reported.

The paper said that while Oz's campaign gave a "cruelly satirical 'concession'" of offering to "pay for any additional medical personnel" Fetterman may need at the debate, the GOP nominee and television personality "has raised legitimate concerns."

Fetterman's campaign may be "optimistic" in predictions about the candidate's stroke recovery, the paper stated, writing that "a live debate is the best way to assure voters Mr. Fetterman is up to the job."

The most recent RealClearPolitics.com polls average shows Fetterman leading OZ 49-to-44%