Sen. Cassidy Praises McConnell for his Flawless Handling of Health Issue

When it comes to questions of age for politicians, there must be transparency that allows people to move beyond the person’s age, by number, and include how to evaluate the medical science to determine individually if that person is still capable of serving, Sen. Bill Cassidy said Sunday. 

“I think Mitch McConnell’s handled it perfectly,” the Louisiana Republican on NBC’s “Meet the Press” about the Senate minority leader and the recent incidents where he appeared to freeze while speaking to reporters. 

McConnell’s doctor has released not only the tests that were performed on the Kentucky Republican but also the results of those tests, allowing transparency to determine if McConnell can continue to serve. 

Capitol physician Dr. Brian P. Monahan last week said McConnell’s recent health episodes showed “no evidence” of a stroke or seizure disorder, and Cassidy said he believes him. 

“The doctor is not lying,” he said. “He’s saying, ‘These are the tests that we’ve done, and this is the results we have’ By the way, I also have the advantage of seeing not just the clip of him during 20 seconds but him before and him after, and there, he’s quite clearly capable.”

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has questioned the doctor’s diagnosis, and while both he and Cassidy are both doctors, Cassidy pointed out that he always says “I’m a gastroenterologist; he’s an ophthalmologist.”

“We’re not the internist who’s doing the physical exam, and so, you have to accept the limitations of training,” Cassidy added. 

President Joe Biden also should release a neurological evaluation of his cognitive ability, as should others, said Cassidy. 

“Do what Mitch just did,” he said, acknowledging that there are people who may choose to believe McConnell’s doctor was lying.

“But at some point, you have to have faith in somebody and I think somebody who’s out of politics, being honest, giving you the results of the tests is a good start,” said Cassidy. 

And while there are no rules set up requiring candidates or office holders to release medical reports showing their ability to serve, Cassidy said he would be “okay with that.”

“I think if you want to be the president of the United States, or a senator, or a House member, then there is a responsibility over and above that of just offering yourself,” he said. “It has to be that you can show that you have clarity.”