Topline
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday said the new photo of Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., in the hospital shared by his office only “stoked more speculation” about his health condition as the Democratic governor pushed the lawmaker to call in for a TV interview or go on camera to show he’s all right.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear criticized Sen. Mitch McConnell for failing to share adequate details about his health conditions.
Associated Press
Key Facts
Beshear pointed out that McConnell has still not shared a timetable for his return to the Senate and said he has not yet received a response to the letter he sent on Monday.
The Kentucky Governor demanded that if McConnell refuses to share more details, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., must step in and “make him do it.”
Beshear then called out Thune, saying it was “shameful” that he was not willing to check on one of his senators to make sure he can perform his job.
Beshear then noted that McConnell has been away from his job for “about six weeks” and said anyone who’s away from their job that long would have to call their boss, “explain what’s going on and…when they could get back to work.”
News Peg
Earlier this month, conservative CNN contributor and longtime Kentucky GOP strategist Scott Jennings claimed he had spoken with his “old friend” McConnell on the phone after rumors and speculation began to spread about the senator’s condition. Beshear said if McConnell “supposedly had a 17-minute conversation with Scott Jennings, he can call in and have a three-minute conversation” with Collins. Alternately, Beshear said the senator can “go to camera and just let us know he’s doing all right.”
What Did Beshear Say About Scott Jennings?
“To be fair, Scott Jennings works for CNN. He can go on air, dial him [McConnell] up, put him on speakerphone, and we can put all the speculation to rest,” Beshear said. Collins pointed out that Jennings has “declined to do so” but has instead “relayed” what he heard from McConnell.