(editorial note: sorry I’ve been absent from posting for a few years — COVID19 has been rough on this ER doc — but now getting back into the action!)
Philly really came out last night and today for John Fetterman!
Last night, a major Fetterman dinner. Today, the Fetterman campaign held a rally attended by over 600 enthusiastic people in a rec center in the north of the city…. and the energy was palpable. Speakers included Dennis and Lee Horton, previously incarcerated Philadelphians who were wrongly convicted of murder and suffered long prison sentences. Fetterman was instrumental in the commutation of their convictions, and has now hired them as campaign staff. They spoke passionately and sincerely about their lives, and how Fetterman gave them a second chance. This story has received attention from the Oz campaign, trying to paint Fetterman as soft on crime: www.newsweek.com/… But indeed to many of us — it highlights that Fetterman recognizes the deep flaws in our justice system and sought to right a grievous wrong.
Turnout in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh is going to be crucial for the 2022 election, of course — and a physicians group, Doctors for Shapiro (twitter @docsforshapiro) has become active in this effort. If any readers are docs, medical students, or other health care providers — please join us in our efforts to product health care in our Commonwealth and the US. Send me a Kos mail, or post in comments, and we’ll get you looped into the work ahead.
The mood in Philly: sour on Dr. Oz and very excited for Fetterman, who is viewed as a champion of the working class and social justice. The impression of Oz as a rich carpetbagger from New Jersey resonates with as a strong negative with the Philadelphia spirit, and with collective effort I think we have a good shot at a strong voter turnout here.
Enjoy the photos from the Philadelphia rally!