# Mitch McConnell and Medical Issues **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 26, 2023, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661 "2023-07-26T19:02:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/221 "2023-08-30T19:56:50Z")
First time it happened I thought, TIA, absence seizure, even a bladder infection can cause that in elderly. I would assume he’s been worked up since then, even if they kept it on the DL. One thing I would say is that it’s possible this is only happening with the added stress of public appearances, his staff may not be seeing it in the office. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/222 "2023-08-30T19:59:49Z")
> [@outlierrn](#): > > First time it happened I thought, TIA, absence seizure, even a bladder infection can cause that in elderly. I would assume he’s been worked up since then, even if they kept it on the DL. Dementia? I think he said he plans to serve out his term, but I don’t see it happening. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/223 "2023-08-30T20:13:49Z")
Ask Mitch what year it is, and who is the President of the United States. WHO is writing anything for him and putting his hand to paper to sign it? And HE destroyed the SCOTUS. Have him draw a clock. Have ALL republicans draw a clock. I bet half would fail. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/224 "2023-08-30T20:21:14Z")
> [@Locrian](#): > > There’s just no way he shouldn’t be hospitalized. I’ve seen elderly men in nursing homes with more vitality than that. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/225 "2023-08-30T20:42:05Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I think he said he plans to serve out his term, but I don’t see it happening. The question that was asked of him when he froze up was his reelection plans. Can you imagine him running again? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/226 "2023-08-30T20:49:43Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Can you imagine him running again? Yes, I can imagine that. And I can also see him easily winning his seat again. Even if they just wheel him out for appearances and he just stares blankly at the Republican crowds. They’d love it. The public could just imagine that he’s thinking exactly what they want him to do. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/227 "2023-08-30T20:54:53Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Dementia? Oh sure, but that _is_ something I’d expect his staff to be seeing, and maybe limiting his public exposure to hide. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/228 "2023-08-30T21:14:40Z")
The other amazing (/sad/disturbing) thing about that video is his aide gamely (/bravely/cowardly) pretending that the issue is volume-related and that Mitch just can’t hear the questions properly. ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/229 "2023-08-30T21:34:33Z")
> …I’d be delighted to see him drop dead of a stroke on national TV. But it’s probably better for the US if he’s just too sick to show up and vote, but refuses to step down. This. Fuck that dood. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.E](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.e/32/8932_2.png) [@Mr.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.E)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/230 "2023-08-30T21:38:01Z")
Going to work when you’re too sick to do the job is an American pastime. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/231 "2023-08-30T22:03:08Z")
Well, all the aide left out was explaining that the reason he wasn’t able to hear the question was because he was currently unconscious. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/232 "2023-08-30T22:06:57Z")
Methinks that Ol’ Mitch has done his last press conference for a good long while, perhaps forever. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/233 "2023-08-30T22:14:43Z")
I think it’s easy to have pity on a chinless little old man who looks like a dottering cartoon turtle. Don’t let his looks fool you. The man is an absolute monster who has fucked our country worse than anyone in recent memory. Seeing him lose his dignity on the national stage is pretty delightful. Maybe next he’ll shit himself in the chamber. We’ll, a boy can dream anyway… ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/234 "2023-08-30T22:17:41Z")
When my nephew was in diapers, he would get this rather intense stare, kind of lose track of the world around him, and a red patch would appear sort of right between his eyes. That was how my brother and SIL knew that my nephew had taken a dump in his drawers. I’m just sayin’… ---
**Author:** ![Ferris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ferris/32/11573_2.png) [@Ferris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferris)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/235 "2023-08-30T22:18:55Z")
> [@Mr.E](#): > > Going to work when you’re too sick to do the job is an American pastime. Seems to me that going to work when you’re too sick to do the job is an American job requirement. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/236 "2023-08-30T23:30:07Z")
Since this is P&E and NOT the Pit, I’ll just say that McConnell’s place in history is already fixed, and probably not in a way future students of Democracy will laud. If his legacy is anything he cares about preserving, rather than _power_, best to retire or take an extended leave NOW before his becomes known as the person who had a stroke on the floor / died on the floor / went into a coma on the floor of the Senate. ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/237 "2023-08-30T23:35:15Z")
I actually felt really sorry for him when i watched the clip. Then i remembered what a miserable human being he is and I got over it. Why are he and Feinstein both continuing to serve? Neither seems to have the mental or physical stamina to continue in their jobs. Pure greed for power, or are their conferences convincing them to hang in there, or what? That got me thinking, of McConnell in particular, who would take his position (currently minority leader) if and when he retires or drops dead on the Senate floor? An old school Republican i can just vehemently disagree with, or one of the fascist variety? (Those do seem much more prevalent in the House than in the Senate, but there are some.) ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/238 "2023-08-30T23:48:35Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > or are their conferences are convincing them to hang in there, or what? This is my bet. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/239 "2023-08-30T23:50:43Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > Pure greed for power, or are their conferences convincing them to hang in there, or what? You’d think the Senate republicans would at least want him to step down as minority leader. They’d still have his vote. But maybe they know it would be an ugly fight to replace him and they don’t have the stomach for that right now. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2023, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/240 "2023-08-31T00:27:33Z")
What happens to congressional balances of power when MM leaves? The GOP will lose a very senior place holder and maybe the next in line for some of his positions is a Dem. Maybe that’s a reason they keep his still breathing corpse in front of the camera. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661.md?page=13)