Democrat John Fetterman blames 'the other side' and 'brutality of the campaign' for depression battle

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) is blaming his depression on his brutal 2022 campaign and, presumably, Republicans.

In February, Fetterman checked himself in to Walter Reed Medical Center, where he was eventually diagnosed with clinical depression. Fetterman spent six weeks at the hospital and was discharged on March 31. He returned to the Senate in mid-April.

Speaking in a new interview with KDKA-TV, Fetterman attributed his depression to his intense campaign last year — and "the other side," a reference to Republicans.

"It was after the brutality of the campaign, the other side," Fetterman told the local Pittsburgh station. "Some people believe it was one of the most vicious political campaigns."

However, Fetterman did not directly blame Dr. Mehmet Oz, his Republican challenger, according to KDKA.

It's not clear, then, if Fetterman's "the other side" remark is a blanket reference to the Republican Party writ large. KDKA, unfortunately, did not ask a clarifying question to nail down the precise target of Fetterman's reference.

Exclusive interview with Sen. John Fettermanwww.youtube.com

The 2022 campaign for Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate seat was indeed brutal.

That's because it was one of the most important races of the election cycle. Republican Sen. Pat Toomey was retiring, which presented Democrats with an opportunity to pick up another Senate seat and solidify a majority. More than $370 million were spent on the race.

The race took a tragic turn when Fetterman, just weeks after securing Democratic nomination, suffered a massive stroke last May. The stroke nearly killed him, but he did not withdraw from the race. Instead, Democrats pushed Fetterman to continue campaigning despite the obvious health issues he was suffering from as a result of the stroke.

Fortunately, Fetterman told KDKA that he now feels "fantastic."

"A lot of people have been asking, 'Hey, how are you feeling, how's your depression?' It's in remission, and I am just so grateful to be feeling great," he said, explaining that he is physically and mentally fit for his duties as a senator.

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