Position Paper III: Social Media

Social Media: John Fetterman & Mehmet Oz


    Social media is very important for candidates to get their name out there and is an easy way to advertise. A widespread of candidates have used social media in the 2022 election to reach voters. Social media is a major way to persuade voters and can affect the outcome of an election.  Two main candidates that have used social media and has been noticed is the men running for senator in Pennsylvania, John Fetterman and Mehmet Oz. 

John Fetterman 

   John Fetterman is an American politician from Pennsylvania.  A member of the Democratic Party, he is a United States senator-elect and the 34th lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania, having served in the latter role since 2019. He served as mayor of Braddock from 2006 to 2019. Fetterman was the Democratic candidate for senator of Pennsylvania in 2022. 

    Fetterman, who had a stroke earlier in the year, could not campaign in person, so social media was his main way of connecting with voters. Fetterman spent millions on campaigning and to say it worked is an understatement. 

    In July, he posted on Twitter a video of Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, star of the television show Jersey Shore, in which she urged “Mehmet” to come home to New Jersey. “I heard that you moved from New Jersey to Pennsylvania to look for a new job,” she said. “But don’t worry, because you’ll be back home in Jersey soon.” According to a staff member, Snooki did not know how this video was to be used but she was paid for her usual cameo fee of $400. It got 3.2 million views and was the most engagement on Fetterman's account ever. 

    The tone of the messages on social media came from Fetterman, but he also hired a team of communication consultants from many different firms to help dominate his side of the campaign using social media. He used many viral TikTok's to connect to the younger generation of voters such as the "Teenage Dirtbag" viral video. Commenters on Mr Fetterman’s response to the trend, which other notable personalities such as Jennifer Garner, Madonna and Lady Gaga have also added to, jumped in to voice not only their support for the politician sharing his teenage shots, but also to throw their support behind his campaign for Senate.

@johnfetterman shorts then, shorts now🩳 #teenagedirtbag ♬ original sound - florence by mills

     Fetterman's social media campaign is a great example of how candidates can use social media to publicise themselves and connect to voters in a new and better way. Using many different platforms such as Youtube, Instagram, Twitter, and T.V. ads. Using viral trends was a smart move for Fetterman as well. Fetterman is also good at using humor, consistently making fun of Oz being from New Jersey and wanting to be senator of Pennsylvania. 

Mehmet Oz

     Mehmet Oz is an American–Turkish television presenter, author, political candidate, professor, and retired cardiothoracic surgeon. Most people would know Mehmet Oz as "Dr. Oz", the popular T.V. doctor that had his own show for many years. Oz is a republican and never had a political position other than on the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition during the Trump administration but was removed by Biden. 

    One of the first major social media taunts that both Oz and Fetterman used was the vegetable tray. Oz posted a video on Twitter talking about the prices of groceries and inflation and how it was ridiculous.
@dr_oz Inflation is hurting American families. Under Joe Biden, gas prices are skyrocketing and food prices are rising. We must stop the reckless spending. This is outrageous! #inflation #fyp #pa #senate ♬ original sound - Dr. Oz
 
    Fetterman responded to Oz’s blunder with a video of himself holding a vegetable platter, commenting “In PA, we call this a veggie tray, and if this looks like anything other than a veggie tray to you, then I am not your candidate.”

    Oz’s team returned fire with a low blow, referring to Fetterman’s health scare back in May. “If John Fetterman had ever eaten a vegetable in his life, then maybe he wouldn’t have had a major stroke and wouldn’t be in the position of having to lie about it constantly.”

    Oz has tried to keep up with Fetterman's meme mastery, viral trends, and funny posts, but Oz is struggling. Oz does post on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Although he lacks in social media and charisma, Oz does have enthusiasm for the candidacy. The main way Oz is fighting back is saying that Fetterman should not be running due to his stroke and how he is not healthy enough to run for senator. 

Election Results

    On November 8, 2022, Fetterman won the race for Senator of Pennsylvania with 4% more votes than Oz. 

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