Focus on Principles

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Is Mitch McConnell still with us?

By: John Shindelbower

It seems evident that he had a major health emergency on June 14. There are reports that 911 calls indicated a person at his Washington D.C. residence was unresponsive, that CPR was performed, and recent reports even this morning, are suggesting that the senior Senator from Kentucky is brain-dead.

McConnell has served Kentucky in the U.S. Senate for over 40 years, beginning in 1984. He has served as Majority Leader of the Senate from 2015-2021, and two separate stints as Minority Leader, from 2007-2015, and 2021-2025. Without question, McConnell has been one of the top-tier political players in Congress in recent years.

Conservatives have been well-served at times by McConnell, but also deeply frustrated at times. His tenure may best be remembered for his leadership during various Supreme Court vacancies when he held the line and pushed forward the nominations of conservative-leaning justices, which have secured a 6-3 conservative majority in the SCOTUS, although admittedly, half of those "conservative" justices appear to suffer from philosophical schizophrenia.

However, now is not really the appropriate time to judge McConnell's lengthy tenure or his profound impact on American politics for nearly half a century. Instead, it's a time to pray for his health, his family and his salvation. It's also time that Kentucky taxpayers demand transparency and honesty from elected officials and their staffs.

Is McConnell alive? Is he cognizant? Is he able to comprehend, speak or perform his duties as a U.S. Senator?

Republicans appropriately asked these questions about former President Joe Biden during much, if not most of his lone four-year term. It became painfully obvious that Biden was rapidly declining and in that infamous 2024 debate, even his supporters had to admit he was unfit to run for another term.

Consistency demands that we ask the same questions about McConnell and demand answers. For the benefit of Kentucky voters and taxpayers, if McConnell is unable to continue to serve, he should resign immediately. The trouble is, if he is unconscious, how can he make that decision to resign?

The lust for power and legacy often clouds judgment, and obviously, Mitch McConnell should have resigned at least a couple of years ago. We can all remember the instances of him stopping mid-speech, eyes lost in space and unable to communicate. There have been reports of health issues, stumbles, falls and other episodes that have been an unmistakable signal that his decline was similar (if not even more severe) than Biden's.

That he continues to hold to his position, that he even decided to run for what will be his final term six years ago, is an indication of pride trumping prudence.

I am not in favor of term limits, or even age limits for politicians. I can certainly understand the argument for them, and figures like Biden, Pelosi, Diane Feinstein, and McConnell make those cases even stronger. However, I'm a firm believer that voters can enact term limits and age limits at the polls and we should yield that authority more often than we do.

McConnell should have been primaried six years ago. There comes a time when the baton should be passed to those who demonstrate a greater fitness and aptitude for the job. That's not to suggest that there's no role for those who are of extreme age. They can be a valuable source of experience and wisdom and should be utilized as consultants and advisors, but without the daily pressures of hectic schedules that will wear down those of much fewer years.

If McConnell's seat is vacated, either through death or resignation, Kentucky law dictates the Governor has the authority to fill that vacancy, although recent legislation requires that be from a list provided by the political party of the Senator who was duly elected. Kentucky law also provides for a special election to be held expeditiously in order to provide a long-term replacement.

There's much to consider here, but one lesson to be learned is that an elected official may spend 40 years toiling to create a legacy, only to tarnish it by refusing to relinquish power when he should. McConnell's name will long live prominently in Kentucky history, but his refusal to gracefully bow out has prevented him from finishing strong.

Such a sad ending to what had been a remarkable career.