During a debate on Tuesday night, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate John Fetterman of Pennsylvania struggled to explain why he had altered his position on fracking, a divisive subject in the state.
After suffering a stroke earlier this year, Fetterman’s eligibility for office has been called into question due to his shown difficulties with understanding words and speaking, as well as his frequent need to have talks transcribed for him.
The moderator remarked, “You have made two inconsistent remarks regarding fracking.” “In an interview from 2018, you claimed, ‘I don’t favor fracking at all. It’s something I’ve never done before. However, earlier this month, you said, quote, “I support fracking,” to an interviewer. When asked about energy independence, Sanders said, “I favor the energy independence that we should have here in the United States.
The moderator turned to Fetterman and asked him to elaborate on his unexpected shift in opinion.
“I, I, I’ve always favored fracking,” Fetterman insisted. “And it has always been my firm belief that energy independence is of the utmost importance. And we certainly can’t let Russia hold us hostage. Truth be told, I’ve always thought it was vital to have control of one’s own energy supply. And I’ve always thought that and I do support fracking, and I’ve never received any money from their, their, their industry, but I do support how crucial it is that we produce our own energy and establish energy independence.
The moderator shot back, “I do want to explain something.” Tonight you claim you’re for fracking, and you always have been, yet in an interview in 2018, you stated, “I don’t favor fracking at all,” which contradicts what you’re saying now. And thus, the question arises, “How can you reconcile the two?”
It’s true that I advocate hydraulic fracturing. Also, I don’t think so. Fetterman answered, “I’m for fracking.” Moreover, “I will stand here and say that I favor fracking.”