The Ultimate Deal On Fetterman And Oz Face Off In A Much-Anticipated Debate- By Mark Levy And Steve People The Associated Press

Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman committed Tuesday not to releasing his complete medical records during a much-anticipated debate against Republican Mehmet Oz, speaking during the hour-long event more than five months after suffering a stroke.

Fetterman, the 53-year-old lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania, has admitted that he "nearly died" after suffering a stroke in May. On Tuesday night, he addressed the "elephant in the room."

“I had a stroke. He never let me forget it,” Fetterman said of his Republican opponent. “And I can remember a few words during this debate, putting the two words together, but It impressed me and I will keep coming back."

Oz, a well-known heart surgeon, disregarded the health of his opponent during the debate, although he has repeatedly criticized Fetterman on the issue during the campaign. On Tuesday night, Oz attacked Fetterman's policies on crime, saying he was trying to "get as many killers out of prison as possible."

Fetterman insists he is ready for the Senate's demands as he continues to recover from a stroke. Independent experts consulted by The Associated Press said he was recovering remarkably. He used captions to help him process the words he heard during the discussion.

"In my opinion, they did very well," said Sheth of Northwestern Medicine's Marianojoy Rehabilitation Hospital in suburban Chicago. “He had his stroke less than a year ago and will be fine by next year. There were some errors in his answers, but in general he was able to formulate spontaneous and well-thought-out responses.”

Problems with auditory processing don't necessarily mean anyone has cognitive problems, the experts agreed. The brain's language network is distinct from the areas involved in decision-making and critical thinking.

Fetterman's campaign emphasizes that he is healthier than ever by paying more attention to his diet and the daily exercise of walking several miles a day. He is attending regular sessions with a speech therapist and is taking medication.

"My campaign is about fighting for anyone in Pennsylvania who has ever been brought down," he said. People reported from New York. AP Medical Writer Carla K. Johnson contributed from Washington state.