Mitch McConnell has another stroke?

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) appeared to have another stroke, this time at a press conference in Covington, Kentucky. He paused for thirty seconds after a reporter asked him whether he planned to run for reelection in 2026.

Mitch McConnell has another brain freeze

This latest incident happened at a conference for the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Television Station WLWT-TV (Channel 5, NBC, Cincinnati, Ohio) carried the incident, apparently live.

A reporter, off-screen, asked McConnell whether he planned to run for reelection in 2026. The Senator started to answer but apparently could not completely form a single syllable. After eight seconds passed, an aid came to his side, asking, “Did you hear the question, Senator? Are you running for election in 2026?” Still he kept silent.

After nine more seconds the aid said, “I’m sorry, but we’re going to need a minute.” At that point another aid came to the Senator’s other side – though what he said was inaudible. Then at the end of the thirty-second period, McConnell cleared his throat, and said, “OK.” The aide then asked whether anyone else had a question.

According to Just the News and NBC News, the next question was about Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Mr. Cameron is the Republican nominee to challenge incumbent Gov. Andy Beshear (D-Ky.) for his position this fall. But when another reporter asked him a question about former President Donald J. Trump, Mitch McConnell refused to answer. Apparently that is his long-standing policy. He then left the press conference.

What should happen

Mitch McConnell suffered a similar episode on Capitol Hill last month. CNAV said then that he ought to resign immediately. Given the peculiar nature of Kentucky election law, the Republican Executive Committee could then nominate three possible replacements. Gov. Beshear would then have 21 days to appoint a replacement from among those three.

This incident is already less than three months in advance of the scheduled governor’s race. Therefore, it’s too late to schedule a special Senate election this year. But such an election would happen next year – the Presidential election year. Any Interim Senator whom Beshear appointed, would serve until then.

A groundswell of opinion is already building to urge McConnell to resign. Some are now calling him Glitch McConnell on the strength of these two incidents.