A week after his bumbling Senate debate performance, Democratic candidate John Fetterman is still struggling to explain his position on fracking.
Pressed in an interview with CNN's Don Lemon, the stroke victim said he is "very supportive" of the oil-extraction process because Pennsylvania has passed "some of the strongest environmental regulations" on fracking.
Lemon pushed back, noting the laws went into effect in 2016 and Fetterman denounced fracking in 2018.
"In 2017, I was actually very supportive of fracking directly across the street from where I live, as well, too," Fetterman replied. The 2018 denunciation was on a progressive YouTube show, where the then-mayor said, "I don't support fracking, at all, and I never have."
Lemon was seeking clarification on the moment during the Oct. 25 debate when Fetterman said he did support it.
"I do support fracking. And I don't, I don't. I support fracking, and I stand, and I do support fracking," Fetterman said during the debate.
Since the disastrous debate between Fetterman and Republican opponent Mehmet Oz, the Democrat has fallen in the polls. A recent survey found 47.6 percent of voters would vote for Oz while only 45.9 percent would back Fetterman.