Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared to freeze for about 30 seconds on Wednesday while speaking with reporters after a speech in Covington, Kentucky.

The incident is similar to an episode McConnell experienced at the US Capitol late last month and is likely to raise additional questions about the fitness of the 81-year-old to lead the Senate Republican caucus.

Wednesday’s episode occurred when a reporter asked the Republican leader if he was planning to run for reelection in 2026. McConnell had to ask him to repeat the question several times, chuckled for a moment, and then paused.

Someone at his side then asked him, “Did you hear the question, senator, running for reelection in 2026?” McConnell did not respond.

Article includes video of the incident.

  • Lightor@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I love how republicans will say Biden is too old and make fun of him while also down playing this BS…

    • systemglitch@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Both can be true. I doubt Biden is the one making decisions. This guy is too old and both parties are as corrupt as it comes on this earth.

      • Lightor@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Oh both can be true, but acting like only one is, well that’s peak hypocrisy.

        Also, yes both parties are corrupt, I’d agree with that, they’re out there enjoying the lobbying on both sides. But the corruption on one side is on VERY different levels.

        • Crabhands@lemmy.ml
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          1 year ago

          I think both men are clearly too senile to make any decisions on their own. McConnell more than Biden, but both for sure.

          Stating “acting like only one is” is in itself implying that only one side is stating this, thus creating your own hypocrisy. Slam dunk on that theory when your final line brings corruption into the argument which is irrelevant to the topic, as both sides are doing it. Regardless of party, people who are senile should not be in office.

          Non American commenting here. Just want to see people make kind, and considerate word choices. Let’s bring people together. There are kind loving people, and there are hateful discriminating people on BOTH sides. If the scales are tipped towards one of those sides, we should not discriminate against the kind loving people still left on that side.

          • kool_newt@lemm.ee
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            1 year ago

            There are kind loving people, and there are hateful discriminating people on BOTH sides

            If by both sides you mean specifically the U.S. Republican Party and the U.S. Democratic Party, sure, if you mean right and left, no.

            The whole point of right wing politics the world over is discrimination against those not part of the in-groups in power. The whole point of the left is to resist this hate and discrimination. Now, some on the left might choose problematic methods but that is a different conversation.

            • Crabhands@lemmy.ml
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              1 year ago

              I strongly disagree. In different words, you’re saying the left is there to defend against the evils of the right.

              Left-wing politics tend to emphasize social equality, government intervention, and progressive policies. This includes support for programs such as universal healthcare, social welfare, and environmental regulations. Right-wing politics, on the other hand, prioritize individual freedom, limited government intervention, and traditional values. This often includes advocating for lower taxes, free-market economics, and a conservative stance on social and cultural issues.

              Having 100% of either side is evil. Too left, we get Stallin. Too right we get Hitler. Which is more evil, is not relevant. The only thing that matters is that there is a balance between the 2. I’m not saying a 50/50 balance. Just a balance. Everyone will have a different point of view of where that balance lies, and it’s societies job to determine where it lands. I think society gets fucked up, when one or both sides stop seeing the balance and only see ‘us vs them’.

              We should be striving for a society where differing perspectives are respected and where a nuanced understanding of complex issues is valued can help avoid the pitfalls of extreme ideologies. It’s essential to promote open dialogue, collaboration, and compromise to find solutions that benefit everyone while avoiding the pitfalls of ‘us vs them’ mentalities that can lead to division and discord.

              • kool_newt@lemm.ee
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                1 year ago

                Great reply! Well argued, you didn’t needlessly insult me. You rock just for that. I disagree though.

                … This includes support for programs such as universal healthcare, social welfare, and environmental regulations.

                Too left, we get Stallin. Too right we get Hitler.

                IMHO it’s important to add another dimension to this conversation libertarian < --> authoritarian.

                I’m way on the left (I call myself like anarcho-communist/solarpunk), ultimately I don’t think that a central organization powerful enough to provide universal healthcare should exist (though as a realist in 2023 I think we need universal health care until my anarcho-society can come about).

                And I think the problem with both Stalin and Hitler wasn’t their position on the L-R scale, it’s their position on the libertarian < --> authoritarian scale.

                • Crabhands@lemmy.ml
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                  1 year ago

                  Fair points. I’ve had my share of politics for the morning, thanks for the discussion. Have a great day!

          • mrpants@midwest.social
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            1 year ago

            lol okay you clearly need to brush up on american politics because no one who supports the party of not feeding or housing poor children is loving

          • Lightor@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            Yes, there are bad people on both sides, but acting like both sides are equal is naive. One side is taking away health rights and literally banning books and outlawing the teaching of sexual education and slavery. A pretty good litmus test is if your side is banning books, you’re on the wrong side of history.