# McConnell appears to freeze while speaking {2023-08-30} **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 30, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-appears-to-freeze-while-speaking-2023-08-30/989359 "2023-08-30T19:03:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-appears-to-freeze-while-speaking-2023-08-30/989359/1 "2023-08-30T19:03:35Z")
McConnell froze again. [Here is the CNN story.](https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/30/politics/mitch-mcconnell/index.html) Is this indicative of any particular disorder? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-appears-to-freeze-while-speaking-2023-08-30/989359/2 "2023-08-30T19:09:09Z")
So this ties back to an earlier thread: > [@Mitch McConnell and Medical Issues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661): > > I don’t know if this belongs here or MPSMIS, but No real news on what the cause is, but what makes it so political is that Kentucky now has a Democratic Governor. Aren’t senators appointed by the governor when needed to complete a term? From said thread, some medical conjecture: > [@Mitch McConnell and Medical Issues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/49): > > The CNN doctor suggested it was an absence seizure, probably a consequence of the accident he had a few months ago. [Absence Seizures | Johns Hopkins Medicine](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/epilepsy/absence-seizures#:~:text=An%20absence%20seizure%20causes%20you,by%20a%20period%20of%20hyperventilation). ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-appears-to-freeze-while-speaking-2023-08-30/989359/3 "2023-08-30T19:10:44Z")
Thanks, Exit. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-appears-to-freeze-while-speaking-2023-08-30/989359/4 "2023-08-30T19:13:02Z")
Does the brain’s ability to improvise bullshit slow down with age? I know it looks instinctive for some of these politicians but it sounds exhausting to me. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-appears-to-freeze-while-speaking-2023-08-30/989359/5 "2023-08-30T19:48:41Z")
That is an interesting point. Perhaps he can’t think quickly enough to conceive a bullshit answer on the fly. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2023, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-appears-to-freeze-while-speaking-2023-08-30/989359/6 "2023-08-31T00:58:51Z")
I think this answers the question of whether he should run for rejection in 2026. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2023, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-appears-to-freeze-while-speaking-2023-08-30/989359/7 "2023-08-31T01:21:08Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > I think this answers the question of whether he should run for rejection in 2026. - I think he should. 🖤 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2023, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-appears-to-freeze-while-speaking-2023-08-30/989359/8 "2023-08-31T01:33:09Z")
Pretty much, yeah. I hate that bastard, but I am sorry to see this happen to anyone. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2023, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-appears-to-freeze-while-speaking-2023-08-30/989359/9 "2023-08-31T15:00:16Z")
A friend of mine had absence seizures for years without realizing they were happening. If you aren’t on camera/making a speech/whatever, “zoning out” for a bit is something that goes unnoticed (assuming you aren’t driving). He was eventually diagnosed with [mesial temporal sclerosis](https://www.epilepsy.com/causes/structural/mesial-temporal-sclerosis). The seizures became more and more frequent and medication did not help. He had two brain surgeries that did not help. Eventually, during one of his seizures he beat a friend/neighbor with a brick. He spent time in jail for doing something he has no memory of. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2023, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-appears-to-freeze-while-speaking-2023-08-30/989359/10 "2023-08-31T15:05:57Z")
[The Onion](https://www.theonion.com/staffer-waiting-for-car-temporarily-leans-frozen-mitch-1850684035) - harsh, even for them. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2023, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-appears-to-freeze-while-speaking-2023-08-30/989359/11 "2023-08-31T15:32:32Z")
How did things work out for him afterwards? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2023, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-appears-to-freeze-while-speaking-2023-08-30/989359/12 "2023-08-31T15:41:46Z")
He spent close to a year in jail waiting for his trial, trying to find a cheap/good lawyer, etc. At trial a doctor testified about his disease and the fact that he had complied with what his doctors wanted him to do. He was found guilty of the assault but a bunch of other charges were dismissed. He was sentenced to time served, but released with numerous restrictions. He lives alone in a cheap apartment because he is not allowed near his victim, and the house his wife is living in is right next door. He lost his drivers license and doubts he’ll ever get it back. She remains supportive and is working two jobs to support their situation. He takes a bunch of medication that seems to be helping. The one bright side is that he dropped down to his ideal weight in jail. He did not have high praises for the food. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2023, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-appears-to-freeze-while-speaking-2023-08-30/989359/13 "2023-08-31T15:45:40Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > [The Onion](https://www.theonion.com/staffer-waiting-for-car-temporarily-leans-frozen-mitch-1850684035) - harsh, even for them. - Not harsh enough. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2023, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-appears-to-freeze-while-speaking-2023-08-30/989359/14 "2023-08-31T17:33:23Z")
He deserves it.