Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., faced another unsettling moment on Wednesday when he struggled to respond to reporters’ questions during a press event in Covington, Kentucky.
McConnell’s Speech Stopped Midsentence
This marks the second instance within weeks where his speech abruptly stopped, requiring assistance from those around him.
McConnell, who is 81 years old, appeared to initially grapple with hearing a question about his stance on running for re-election.
What followed was a freeze at the lectern lasting approximately 30 seconds, during which he remained silent.
It was evident that he didn’t immediately react when a staff member approached him to inquire whether he had heard the question.
“All Right, I’m Sorry, You All. We’re Going To Need a Minute”
During this puzzling interval, an aide said, “All right, I’m sorry, you all. We’re going to need a minute.”
Subsequently, McConnell seemed to regain his readiness for further dialogue.
When asked about Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s gubernatorial aspirations, McConnell, after having the question reiterated loudly into his ear by an aide, responded, “I think the governor’s race is going to be very close,” his voice trailing off in volume towards the end of his reply.
He Shrugged off a Query About Former President Donald Trump’s Recent Indictment
Following this exchange, McConnell shrugged off a query about former President Donald Trump’s recent indictment in Georgia before being led away from the lectern.
Interestingly, during a press conference, McConnell faced a comparable episode on July 26 in Washington, D.C..
On that occasion, his fellow senators stepped in to assist, and after a few minutes, he returned to the lectern and continued engaging with reporters.
During that earlier event, McConnell dismissed any notions of his health concern being connected to a concussion he had experienced earlier in the year following a fall at a political fundraiser.
Biden Extended His Well Wishes After His Fall in March
As fresh uncertainties about McConnell’s health surface, it occurs at a critical juncture for Republicans in Congress, who possess a slender majority in the House and hold 49 Senate seats, just one seat short of a majority.
In the context of McConnell’s health, it’s noteworthy that President Joe Biden extended his well wishes after McConnell’s fall in March.
McConnell also shared that he had informed the President about his unexpected pause in a speech in July, amusingly attributing it to being “sandbagged.”
Hopes for McConnell’s Swift Recovery and Well-Being
At a subsequent briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre clarified that she hadn’t spoken with Biden regarding McConnell’s most recent episode.
Nevertheless, she expressed the administration’s hopes for McConnell’s swift recovery and well-being in light of these recent incidents.
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The post McConnell’s Mysterious Pauses – Health Concerns or Political Pressure Getting to the Senate Minority Leader? first appeared on The Net Worth Of.
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