Why Senate Democrats really, really don't want to lose to Dr. Oz

Pennsylvania takes center stage in the battle for Senate control tonight, with the first and only debate between Republican Mehmet Oz and Democrat John Fetterman.

Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022 14 DAYS TO THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS KORNACKI'S TAKE Pennsylvania takes center stage in the battle for Senate control tonight, with the first and only debate between Republican Mehmet Oz and Democrat John Fetterman.   On paper, Fetterman has long represented the Democrats' best chance of flipping a Republican-held seat. And he still does lead in the Real Clear Politics poll average — the only Democrat to do so in a race for a GOP-held seat — but by just 1.3 points. That margin is down considerably from the 8.7-point margin Fetterman enjoyed at one point over the summer.   Getting Fetterman across the finish line is particularly crucial for Democrats in the face of polling from Nevada, where Republican Adam Laxalt currently leads incumbent Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto in the RCP average. If Laxalt ends up flipping that seat, Democrats would need to pick up a GOP seat to cancel out the loss, and Pennsylvania remains their clearest target. A Fetterman loss would represent a giant missed opportunity for Democrats, one that might very well cost them the Senate. — Steve Kornacki  TOP STORIES Noah Rothman This ugly impulse could ruin Dems' midterms chances Ryan Cooper Republicans want to end democracy and blow up the economy — and they aren't hiding it Rachel Maddow The law is catching up to right-wing 2020 election scammers Mehdi Hasan How Democrats can combat a morally bankrupt GOP MADDOWBLOG'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP In a recent debate, Democrat Charlie Crist called on Gov. Ron DeSantis to say whether he would serve a full, four-year term if re-elected. The Republican incumbent refused to answer.   On a related note, on Sunday, California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, said he would commit to a full second term amid speculation about a possible White House bid.   Read the rest of Steve Benen's round-up here. KEY PRIMARY MATCHUPS California's 13th Congressional District nonpartisan primary on June 7 Republican John Duarte, Democrat Adam Gray, Democrat Phil Arballo, Republican David Giglio and Republican Diego Martinez   Projected winners: Republican John Duarte and Democrat Adam Gray   Nevada's 4th Congressional District Republican primary on June 14 Sam Peters, Annie Black and Chance Bonaventura   Projected winner: Sam Peters   Illinois' 17th Congressional District Democratic primary on June 28 Eric Sorensen, Litesa Wallace, Jonathan Logemann, Angie Normoyle, Marsha Williams and Jacqueline McGowan   Projected winner: Eric Sorensen   Colorado's 8th Congressional District Republican primary on June 28 Barbara Kirkmeyer, Jan Kulmann, Lori Saine and Tyler Allcorn   Projected winner: Barbara Kirkmeyer   Arizona Republican secretary of state primary on Aug. 2 Mark Finchem, Beau Lane, Shawnna Bolick and Michelle Ugenti-Rita   Projected winner: Mark Finchem   Read more in MSNBC's key midterms match-up guide.   MORE ON MSNBC UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER