Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader (R-Ky. ), had an awkward moment during a Wednesday press conference in Covington. When asked by reporters if he planned to run for reelection in the next election, McConnell froze up for 30 seconds.
McConnell was still silent when his aide finally approached him. This is a painfully awkward situation, just as uncomfortable as watching Joe Biden or John Fetterman try to speak.
Mitch McConnell froze up while answering a question. This is the second time this has happened in public. I’m concerned about his health. There should be age limits. pic.twitter.com/A7Ri7rfdbI
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 30, 2023
According to NBC News’ report, “Once McConnell re-engaged, he answered briefly another question regarding Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron. His aide had to repeat the question. McConnell then had to repeat a question about former president Donald Trump. McConnell did not answer the question, as he doesn’t usually discuss Trump-related issues. He then left.”
This incident occurred just weeks after McConnell’s occurrence in July when he froze during a news conference for almost 20 seconds.
NOW – Mitch McConnell froze and appeared unwell at presser.pic.twitter.com/OHvOaX77L9
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) July 26, 2023
Mitch McConnell won a second term in the U.S. Senate, but he will not be eligible for re-election again until 2026.
This year, there has been a lot of speculation regarding McConnell’s health and future in the Senate. After sustaining an injury in a fall earlier this summer, McConnell was out of the Senate for several weeks. Rumors spread that his imminent retirement was near. At the time, sources claimed that Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo. John Cornyn, John Thune, and John Cornyn were reaching out to fellow Republican senators in the event that a leadership vote was needed. They were contacting fellow Republican Senators to see if a vote on leadership was required.
McConnell returned to the Senate but rumors about his health have persisted. According to reports, he has fallen several times this year. Republicans in the Kentucky legislature changed the state law to prevent the Democrat Governor of Kentucky from nominating a Democrat to replace McConnell.
McConnell’s constituents chanted at him earlier this month to retire.
Mitch McConnell is booed, and drowned out by chants of “retire, retire, retire”, for five minutes straight as he tries to talk to his own constituents in Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/zyZIHLJaoy
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) August 7, 2023
McConnell’s health and age are issues that will not go away. The number of politicians on both sides of the aisle who are too old to serve, or are not mentally or physically fit enough to do so, should prompt bipartisan calls for term limits. Unfortunately, Democrats are too concerned with their power for them to consider term limits. It’s unfortunate because the dinosaurs in Congress will continue to exist until everyone agrees on reasonable term limits.
