McConnell’s Meltdown: Trump and Haley Urge for Swift Replacement

(FamilyConservationPAC.com) – Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who recently seemed unresponsive when speaking to reporters, is being urged to resign as the Senate Minority Leader by GOP presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Nikki Haley.

Mr. McConnell, 81, looked unsteady for about 20 seconds after starting to speak during a press conference on July 26.

He was led to his office after being helped from the platform. Later, Mr. McConnell showed up to wrap up the news conference.

In a July 27 interview with Breitbart News, Mr. Trump described the incident as “I thought it was sad.”

Mr. Trump responded, “We have to have that,” when asked if he wanted to see a new Republican leader in the U.S. Senate. “Some of the Senate’s members are excellent and would be outstanding in that role,” he added.

Trump did not provide a specific name for the Senate leader he believes would be a worthy replacement.

Still, he did name four Republicans he believes are doing an excellent job in Congress.

He referred to Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) and stated, “I think Jamie Comer is doing a great job,” adding that Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) would also be a good choice.

“You have a lot of people working really hard in the House.” He declared that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) “is doing pretty well. He’s a tough cookie and doing fantastically. He continued.

“Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has done very, really well. Many individuals are attracted to what she has to say,” he added.

McConnell should be replaced, said Nikki Haley, a current competitor for the GOP candidacy for president in 2024 and a former U.S. ambassador to the UN.

In an interview with CBS, she stated, “We’ve got to stop choosing individuals because they look beautiful in the photo or because they handle a kid properly.”

Haley continued, “We must stop voting people simply because we like them or because they have served the country for a long period. Actually, that is the issue. Term restrictions are necessary because we require fresh approaches and new answers.”

She said, “All of them [should] know when to walk away,” including Mr. McConnell, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), 90, President Joe Biden, 80, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). We need fresh approaches to our enormous problems. New generational leaders are required.”

“Thank you for your service. We are grateful for what you did. But we will campaign for term limits because of this. It must be accomplished in America,” She added.

“Every legislator should also take a mental acuity exam,” according to Ms. Haley. When asked if President Trump should take a mental acuity exam, Haley responded positively. Trump is currently 77 years old.

“Republicans have lost the last seven of the previous eight presidential popular votes. Nothing to be proud of about it. We ought to aim to win over most Americans. To be able to do that, we must begin working with a new generation,” she said.

Age restrictions for legislators

Republicans, as well as Democrats, have advocated for placing age restrictions on elected officials. Younger parliamentarians who are angry about the political power arrangements that allow more senior lawmakers to maintain their influence are primarily behind the movement.

A poll by YouGov in January last year found that 58 percent of Americans wanted a maximum age limit for elected officials, with 39 percent wanting it to be 70 years, 24 percent opting for 60 years, and 23 percent saying 80 years.

The minimum and maximum ages for members of the House and Senate are both included in the U.S. Constitution.

The average age of U.S. Senators at the time of the poll was 64, with House members having an average age of 58.

“Our analysis found that if senators over 60 were barred from holding office, 71 percent of current senators would be ineligible to serve. If the limit were 70, 30 percent would be ineligible. If it were 80, 6 percent would be ineligible.”

While those who want to impose an age limit insist that such a move would allow for fresh ideas to come forth in politics, critics say that older lawmakers bring in experience and wisdom crucial for positions of power.

In addition, senior lawmakers tend to have already developed a more prominent reputation and extensive donor networks, which play a crucial role in winning elections.

No Plans on Stepping Down

Though calls for his resignation have sprung up since the recent incident, Mr. McConnell has rejected the calls.

“Leader McConnell appreciates the continued support of his colleagues, and plans to serve his full term in the job they overwhelmingly elected him to do,” a spokesperson for Mr. McConnell said.

He was reelected as the Republican Senate leader in January 2023. The next election for the post is scheduled for January 2025.

Mr. McConnell was reelected to the Senate in 2020. His term, which began in January 2021, lasts for six years. He has been in office since 1984 and took the position of Republican Senate leader in 2006.

Following the incident, an aide told reporters that the lawmaker had “stepped away for a moment” as he felt “lightheaded” during the conference. “He came back to handle Q and A, which, as everyone observed, was sharp.”

On March 8, McConnell fell during a private dinner, which led to him being admitted to a hospital for a rib fracture and concussion.

He was discharged a week later, on March 13, and had to attend inpatient physical therapy.

Earlier this year, Mr. McConnell became the Senate’s longest-serving GOP leader. In his GOP primary race in 2020, McConnell won 82 percent support.

Should Mitch McConnell step down as the Senate Minority Leader?

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