“Happy Days” actor Henry Winkler weighed in on the Georgia Senate run-off — in favor of incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock — but his reasoning quickly sparked a number of unflattering references to Senator-elect John Fetterman (D-PA) and President Joe Biden.
Winkler, who played ultimate king of cool Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli on the iconic television series, suggested that Georgia voters should choose Warnock over Republican challenger — and former NFL player — Herschel Walker because the latter occasionally seems to have difficulty forming “a full sentence.”
“GEORGIA : It’s not about Party … ITS [sic] about being able to form a full sentence,” Winkler tweeted on Monday. “VOTE WARNOCK.”
GEORGIA : It’s not about Party … ITS about being able to form a full sentence . VOTE WARNOCK
— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) December 5, 2022
The responses quickly poured in, most offering comparisons to Fetterman — who has struggled with auditory processing since his recent stroke and often has difficulty speaking in complete sentences — and Biden, whose reputation as a gaffe machine long predates his time in the Oval Office.
“Pretty harsh swipe at Fetterman,” Doug Powers commented.
“Wait till the Fonz finds out who’s president,” Gerry Callahan tweeted in response.
“Aaay… The Fonz hasn’t heard that we don’t vote based upon ‘celebrity’ opinions, no matter how articulate they may be,” another added.
Jim Treacher responded with a video clip from the debate between Fetterman and Republican candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz.
— jimtreacher.substack.com (@jtLOL) December 6, 2022
“You do realize who the guy in the White House is, right?” @MrReaganUSA tweeted.
“So, John Fetterman should step down?” @ITguy1959 asked.
“Democrats talking about voting for people who can form complete sentences is the most ironic thing I’ve ever seen,” came from @brodybeilfuss.
Another tweeted, “Fetterman can’t form a thought or sentence. It’s blind loyalty to the Democrats.”
A number of others commented that Winkler, much like his television character, had “jumped the shark” with his comment — while still others argued that since the actor did not reside in Georgia, he should refrain from offering his commentary on the election.
Georgia’s run-off election, taking place on December 6th, will determine the balance of power in the U.S. Senate — namely, whether the Democrats will have a 51-seat majority or whether they will be forced to continue to bring in Vice President Kamala Harris to break party-line ties.