It has now been well over two months since Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell was mysteriously hospitalized after emergency services were called to his D.C. home on June 14th, where reports have confirmed that life-saving measures were required on the ancient lawmaker, despite claims from his office that his long-running hospitalization was only related to a fall and a subsequent, mild case of pneumonia -- neither of which should require CPR.
Following weeks of silence, his office released a statement in mid-July, vaguely confirming that the senator had been transferred to a rehab facility to continue his healing process, then quickly reverted back to radio silence, despite increasing demands from the American public and McConnell's fellow lawmakers for a bit of transparency and honesty.
Finally, on August 6, McConnell released yet another vague public statement, claiming to finally be released from the rehab center, stating that his recovery and physical therapy would continue from the comfort of his home.
"Earlier today, I was discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home," McConnell said in the statement released over a week ago. "Elaine and I are grateful for the many well wishes and support from friends, colleagues, and Kentuckians, and for the attentive care I’ve received from excellent doctors, nurses, therapists, and hospital staff."
"On the advice of my doctors, I’ll maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy from home during the state work period, and I’ll continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business."
Yet, the Schrödinger's Senator act continues.
Despite the fact that he claims to be home and recovering well, Kentucky's Governor Andy Beshear, who has been a vocal critic of McConnell's handling of his medical situation, spoke with CBS News’ White House political correspondent Ed O’Keefe on Face the Nation and confirmed that Mitch McConnell continues to "absolutely refuse" to make a two-minute proof of life video that would reassure his colleagues and his constiuents that he actually is, in fact, alive and well -- emphasis on the "alive" part.
"I’ve heard absolutely nothing back from Mitch McConnell," Beshear told O'Keefe. "And while I do hope that he is getting better, I’ve known him my entire life. I wish him no harm, I actually wish him good health. His boss are the people of Kentucky, and this is why the Senate, the Republican-controlled Senate, feels so broken. They feel like they’re not accountable to anyone."
"All he needs to do is call into this show for two minutes, or Fox News for two minutes, or do a video for two minutes to the people he’s supposed to serve," the Democratic governor continued, confirming, "But you know what? He absolutely refuses to do it."
He then set his sights on Senate leadership, admonishing John Thune for failing to do his job: "And then John Thune, as the leader of the Senate, you’ve got a duty to make sure all of your senators have the capacity to serve. And what is he saying? Not my job. That’s not surprising. None of them will do their job right now and stand up to a president that is running over the Constitution at every turn."
Just how long does the senator get to cosplay a theoretical cat before enough is enough?
