The Facts
- On Wednesday. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), 81, froze for approximately seven seconds when asked a question about running for re-election during an event.
- This comes after McConnell, who first took office in 1985, in July appeared to freeze up during a weekly GOP press conference and had to be ushered away by other Senate Republicans. Previously in March, he suffered a concussion and a fractured rib after falling at a hotel in Washington, DC.
- A spokesperson for McConnell said the senator "felt momentarily lightheaded," while another aide added that he would be consulting a physician before his next event. He later attended a fundraiser for Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), who is running for Senate in Indiana.
Sources Split
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The Spin
Narrative A
Although America's halls of power are filled with icons of dysfunctional gerontocracy, these officials refuse to step aside — be it due to incompetence, greed, or both. The health issues affecting Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Pres. Biden and McConnell have prompted bipartisan calls for resignations and term limits. Unfortunately, these elders in the ruling class don't seem to care about what the public wants.
Narrative B
While term limits are a good idea and have bipartisan support, attacking politicians due to what year they were born is ageist and unhelpful. Both Congress and the Supreme Court should have limits to rein in their seemingly limitless power. Young or old, everyone in government should be expected to achieve their political goals within a limited timeframe.
Metaculus Prediction
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