There is a notion about American politics that is profoundly wrong. It is dictated by a conventional wisdom that smothers the analysis of complexity and nuance in the search for easy answers and narrative frames. Generally, the press asserts that campaigns are settled by the last major event that everyone sees.
I think campaigns are settled by decisions much earlier that set in motion the last scene. It is the first unseen and unnoticed choice that becomes the most consequential, but its impact isn’t felt in the moment.
The decision of the Fetterman campaign around how to handle his stroke was not predestined. It was a choice.