Gop Senator Again at Odds With Interior Department This Time Over a Tiny Pacific Island Chain
Dr. Mehmet Oz takes function in a forum for Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Senate candidates in Army camp Hill, Pa., on April 2. Oz recently got the endorsement of erstwhile President Donald Trump over his primary rival for the nomination, David McCormick. Matt Rourke/AP hide caption
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Dr. Mehmet Oz takes office in a forum for Pennsylvania Republican U.South. Senate candidates in Camp Loma, Pa., on Apr 2. Oz recently got the endorsement of quondam President Donald Trump over his primary rival for the nomination, David McCormick.
Matt Rourke/AP
The Republican principal in the high-stakes Pennsylvania U.Due south. Senate race has been reshaped since former President Donald Trump offered a coveted endorsement.
Mehmet Oz, the glory TV doctor who received Trump'southward backing before this month, has cited the endorsement as proof of his conservative credentials.
And the campaign of Oz's chief rival, former hedge fund CEO David McCormick, has responded past quickly launching ads designed to blunt the endorsement. One uses archival video to question Oz'south conservative beliefs. Another has McCormick surrounded by fellow motorcyclists who are holding Trump flags.
Both GOP candidates had lobbied hard for the former president'south endorsement.
Trump's decision surprised and angered some conservatives. Merely Trump, a former reality Television star himself, made it clear that Oz's celebrity was a large cistron in his choice.
"Tremendous, tremendous career," Trump said at a recent rally. "And they liked him for a long time. That'due south like a poll. You know, when you're on tv for 18 years, that's similar a poll."
He'southward likewise said he thinks Oz is more likely to win over a swath of Pennsylvania voters.
"Women, in particular, are drawn to Dr. Oz for his advice and counsel," Trump said in a statement announcing his endorsement. "I take seen this many times over the years. They know him, believe in him, and trust him."
The open Senate race is likely to be crucial for whichever party controls the sleeping accommodation. Democrats, too, are locked in a crowded main.
A fight over conservative credentials
Oz and McCormick — both ultra-wealthy, first-time candidates — accept been introducing themselves to voters, while trying to bat away any critiques.
On the campaign trail, McCormick touts his successful concern career, his W Point pedigree and his family's vii generations in the state.
"I grew up with a family unit subcontract," he said on a small stage in front of a behemothic American flag at a firehouse in Lititz, Pa. "I bailed hay, I trimmed Christmas trees, I was a busboy. I had a paper route. I hunted the first Monday afterwards Thanksgiving, and I played football game and I wrestled in places like Shickshinny and Shikellamy."
More recently, McCormick has lived in Connecticut where he was CEO of one of the earth'due south largest hedge funds, Bridgewater Associates. Prior to that he worked in the administration of President George Westward. Bush.
In the Senate contest, McCormick has faced tough questions about his Wall Street ties and pro-China comments.
GOP Senate candidate McCormick meets with attendees during a campaign upshot in York, Pa., on Apr 4. Matt Rourke/AP hide explanation
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Matt Rourke/AP
For Oz information technology'southward an immigrant story. His parents came to the U.S. from Turkey, settling in Ohio. At present he'south a glory doctor worth millions.
"I attended great universities, raised a family and became a successful surgeon," he said in his entrada kickoff video. "I invented a middle valve that saves thousands of lives. Then I started TV show to abet for you taking command of your health, and took on the medical institution."
But Oz's entrada faced some immediate criticism: that he had until recently been a resident of New Bailiwick of jersey. And there were controversies from his time on TV, including that he dispensed questionable medical advice to his audience.
And Oz has likewise been targeted past many conservatives for his past praise of liberal figures like Hillary Clinton, and his past statements on problems such as abortion, gun laws and the use of masks to combat the coronavirus.
Does Trump sway voters' minds?
Professor Berwood Yost of Franklin & Marshall Higher says Oz has very high name recognition — something candidates crave — only also has high unfavorability scores in primary polls.
"I think Oz's larger problem is that he's not well-liked among Republicans," Yost said. "And that's why I think President Trump's endorsement of Oz is a bit risky."
Ane question in the race's last weeks, before the May 17 primary, is whether Trump'south endorsement now changes Oz's numbers with conservatives.
There are other candidates to note, including political commentator Kathy Barnette, businessman Jeff Bartos and former Trump administration Ambassador Carla Sands.
From left: Jeff Bartos, Kathy Barnette and Carla Sands have part in a forum for Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Senate candidates on Apr 2. Matt Rourke/AP hide caption
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Matt Rourke/AP
From left: Jeff Bartos, Kathy Barnette and Carla Sands take function in a forum for Pennsylvania Republican U.Due south. Senate candidates on April ii.
Matt Rourke/AP
And polls evidence that the Senate primary too has a high percentage of voters all the same undecided.
Some other question is whether the Trump endorsement will have an upshot on those who've not yet made their option.
At the McCormick event at the firehouse, 71-year-old Bob Rapp said he was still trying to brand up his mind. Merely he did say he won't vote for Oz. Rapp is a large Trump supporter, but he'southward not looking for Trump's guidance on this.
"You lot don't agree with your leaders 100% of the time," he said, before adding a flat "no" to whether the sometime president's endorsement could sway his opinion.
But Gina Sanguinetti, who works in health intendance, said she would give Oz a new look because of Trump, even though she's not certain Oz is strong plenty in opposing abortion. She said she's seeking out all the information she can get.
"I'm but going to pay attending to everything right now, but I put a heavy weight on what Donald Trump has to say," she said.
Withal, Sanguinetti is undecided and liked what she heard from McCormick.
The endorsement of Oz is really Trump'south second in the primary.
He backed Sean Parnell, an Army veteran who dropped out of the race after allegations of physical abuse against his wife and children emerged. (Parnell has denied those accusations.)
Parnell is now backing McCormick and said he was "disappointed" by Trump's new endorsement.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2022/04/21/1093771578/pennsylvania-republican-senate-primary-mccormick-oz-trump
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