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Grinning Mitch McConnell, 84, poses in new 'proof of life' photo with wife Elaine... but still not a single word in 44 days

4 hours agoRight

In the email, the Senator expressed regret that he could not attend a picnic in Western Kentucky this week.

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McConnell’s hometown newspaper blasts him for mysterious absence

Alternet.org

1 hour ago

McConnell’s hometown newspaper blasts him for mysterious absence

Ever since former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell became mysteriously absent, the Kentucky senator’s health has prompted much news and talk show host commentary as well as two controversial proof of life photographs.“McConnell, 84, was hospitalized June 14 after a fall and a brief loss of consciousness,” wrote the Louisville Courier Journal’s Keely Doll on Monday. “Since his absence, both Republicans and Democrats have called for increased transparency around the senator’s health. Gov. Andy Beshear penned an open letter to the senator requesting updates shortly before McConnell’s office addressed the speculation and concerns.”Doll noted that Trump has not been seen publicly since his June 14 hospitalization and added that, although McConnell described the process as personally frustrating to himself, it has caused compounding frustrations for the United States Senate.“McConnell’s absence is also putting pressure on GOP leadership,” Doll wrote. “McConnell serves as a key GOP vote on two important committees, Appropriations and Agriculture. Without his vote, the committees are split evenly between Republicans and Democrats, making it impossible to advance legislation without bipartisan support.”Doll also pointed out that McConnell has missed a number of committee votes and Senate floor votes.“McConnell missed 38 votes in the Senate in the weeks following his June 14 hospitalization,” Doll wrote. “Out of those, the majority were nominations and confirmations for judges, ambassadorial positions and other civilian nominees. About a dozen of the votes were legislative, including a bipartisan affordable housing bill.”The journalist added, “But the real debate putting pressure on McConnell’s absence in Congress is the resolutions over presidential war powers and the U.S. military involvement in Iran.”Doll concluded, “With McConnell’s return timeline to Congress uncertain and the growing concerns about the war in Iran, even GOP leaders have admitted that the numbers game is getting tighter. During McConnell’s absence, several different resolutions on war powers have come to the floor with razor-thin margins.”Despite the ongoing concerns about McConnell’s fitness to serve, his office continues to insist that he is on the job."The Senator continues to meet with staff regarding Senate and Kentucky business, including discussions on defense appropriations, foreign policy, the farm bill, constituent services and constituent federal grant requests,” spokesman David Popp told The Washington Post in a recent statement. “As the senator continues to improve in rehab, we will be sure to keep you updated.”

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Mitch McConnell's latest proof-of-life picture sparks internet firestorm

Raw Story

1 hour ago

Mitch McConnell's latest proof-of-life picture sparks internet firestorm

Sen. Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) office released another photo of the 84-year-old Kentucky Republican with his wife, Elaine Chao, along with a statement explaining his absence from the Fancy Farm political picnic. McConnell has not appeared publicly since his June 14 hospitalization and claimed he is undergoing "intense physical therapy" on doctor's orders. His office released a statement expressing regret for missing the August event, acknowledging his long history attending the gathering. "So I hate that I’ll miss the fun this year, but I’m sending my best wishes to the St. Jerome [Catholic Church] community for a successful picnic," the statement read. However, the photo and statement sparked widespread skepticism among Democratic strategists and social media users who questioned his health and fitness. Critics, like Ally Sammarco, noted the image showed Chao "holding him up," while other users questioned whether the statement actually confirmed McConnell was alive and capable of performing Senate duties. This marks the second similar photo released in two weeks, yet both have failed to quell public concerns about his condition and extended absence from Capitol Hill.Watch the video below. Your browser does not support the video tag.

Far Left

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Republicans Come Up With New Talking Points to Dodge Trump Questions

The New Republic

3 hours ago

Republicans Come Up With New Talking Points to Dodge Trump Questions

The Senate GOP is offering new guidance to party lawmakers on how to rhetorically juggle Donald Trump’s second term agenda with the public furor it has caused.Internal party messaging reviewed Monday by Politico indicates that Republican leadership is still trying to salvage public perception of the president, on issues ranging from the Iran war to the SAVE America Act.“On Iran, directly connect the President’s negotiations and strikes to keeping the Strait open and keeping prices low,” one line item read, according to Politico reporter Jordain Carney.The internal memo also warned Republicans that the “media will try to divide Republicans by asking your boss to pick a ‘side’ in any given question.”“It’s crucial to reject these false choices. Reject the false choice between the President and Senate leaders: express support for both,” the memo reads.The memo advised Republicans on how to handle the ongoing drama between Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who last week snapped at White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt for suggesting that the president’s patience was “running out” with the conservative senator’s inability to force the SAVE Act through the upper chamber.Offering potential responses, the memo suggests that Republicans nonetheless claim that Trump and Thune are “united and doing an excellent job.” It also recommends that Republicans claim the duo have made American life “affordable,” and have worked together to make Americans “safer by closing our border, deporting violent criminals (Laken Riley Act), cracking down on fentanyl, and strengthening our military.”“And we all agree that we have to defeat the radical Democrat socialists, who are threatening to undo our progress,” it added.Meanwhile, the White House seems content with quietly advising midterm-bound Republicans to distance themselves from the president’s talking points as his popularity plummets.“The understanding is pretty damn implicit: The president is going to say what the president is going to say,” a Republican operative working on the party’s midterm races told MS NOW Monday on the condition of anonymity. “You’re not going to have candidates or lawmakers running out to defend the president’s handling of the economy or the war—polling shows that most people don’t agree with his handling.”

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Pentagon updates Iran war casualty numbers with new list separate from Operation Epic Fury tally

Washington Examiner

3 hours ago

Pentagon updates Iran war casualty numbers with new list separate from Operation Epic Fury tally

The Pentagon quietly updated its war casualty database over the weekend to account for American fatalities and injuries sustained in the Iran conflict since the collapse of a ceasefire, after a discrepancy in numbers sparked confusion and controversy. The Department of War oversees the Defense Casualty Analysis System, which tracks American casualties in conflicts dating […]

Center Right

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Savannah Guthrie Issues New Plea for Mother’s Whereabouts

WSJ.com : U.S. News

4 hours ago

Savannah Guthrie Issues New Plea for Mother’s Whereabouts

The “Today” co-host appeared to ask kidnappers where to search for Nancy Guthrie, who disappeared nearly six months ago.

Center

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Savannah Guthrie makes new plea for mother to be found

NewsNation

4 hours ago

Savannah Guthrie makes new plea for mother to be found

Guthrie pleaded with whoever knows anything about her mother's kidnapping "do the right thing" and come forward.

Center

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Mitch McConnell still not cleared to resume Senate duties, office says

US news | The Guardian

4 hours ago

Mitch McConnell still not cleared to resume Senate duties, office says

Kentucky senator has been absent and not seen in public since mid-June after he was hospitalized due to a fallUS politics live – latest updatesUS senator Mitch McConnell is still not cleared to return to work, his office confirmed on Monday, six weeks after he was hospitalized after a fall at his home.An update released alongside a new photograph of the Republican lawmaker – one of the highest-profile figures in Congress, as a former Senate majority leader – said he was undergoing “intense physical therapy” and is “working hard” to get back to his duties. Continue reading...

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