President Biden attacked GOP candidate Mehmet Oz and sought to portray the Pennsylvania Senate race as a make-or-break moment for the country during an appearance in the Keystone State aimed at boosting Democrat John Fetterman.
"We need John badly. Not a joke," Biden told those gathered for a fundraiser on behalf of Fetterman in Philadelphia on Thursday evening, according to pool reports,.
Biden praised Fetterman for having "integrity" while seeking to paint Oz as an out-of-towner who would try to undo "everything we have done" if elected.
"It's a choice: what direction do you want to see this country going?" Biden asked.
Democrats have fretted over the idea of another 50-50 Senate majority or the possibility of narrowly losing control of the chamber after entering the fall with several promising prospects in contested Senate seats.
Now, as polling shows most voters still largely concerned with inflation and the economy, Republicans are becoming more optimistic.
Sen. Rick Scott (Fla.), chair of Senate Republicans' campaign arm, predicted Thursday that Republicans are likely control 52 Senate seats next year — and could have as high as a 55-seat majority, The Hill's Alexander Bolton reported.
In Pennsylvania, one of the most closely watched races, Oz has appeared to close the gap in the final three weeks of campaigning. An AARP poll out earlier this week showing Fetterman leading Oz 48 to 46 percent among likely voters, a difference that fell within the poll's margin of error.
By comparison, Attorney General Josh Shapiro (D) leads Trump-backed Republican candidate Doug Mastriano by 11 points — 53 to 42 percent — in the state's governor's race, according to the same poll.
And while Fetterman landed some early punches against Oz in the race, his campaign has been plagued recently by questions surrounding his health.
Fetterman's team sought to quell concerns this week by releasing a letter from the candidate's primary care physician saying his recovery following a near-fatal stroke in May is progressing well and he "has no work restrictions and can work full duty in public office."
The Democrat acknowledged the focus surrounding his health Thursday night while seeking to contrast his recovery with continued attacks on the topics from his Republican rival — while taking his own shots at the celebrity cardiothoracic surgeon.
"He'll say anything for a buck, he'll say anything for a vote," Fetterman charged.
For now, Democrats acknowledge that Biden's agenda hangs on a few close races.
"If we do not maintain the Senate and the House in this next election, a lot is going to change. A lot is going to change," Biden warned.
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