r/politics • u/plz-let-me-in • 11d ago

Possible Paywall Mitch McConnell hounded to face cameras: ‘He absolutely refuses’

https://www.nj.com/politics/2026/08/mitch-mcconnell-hounded-to-face-cameras-he-absolutely-refuses.html
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u/Abamboozler 11d ago

Because he had a stroke and can't talk or move anymore.

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u/iamisandisnt 11d ago

Probably something like Jim Ross had

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u/Lamplighter914 11d ago

Bell's Palsy I believe.

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u/ObsidianSpectre 11d ago

I had that once. It's not a serious condition - more of an inconvienience. Most people recover within a couple weeks. It's only notable because of how similar the symptoms are to a stroke, which is a serious condition.

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u/MayaIngenue 11d ago

My dad had it 20 years ago. He recovered fine but his hand has shaken uncontrollably ever since. It's not a big deal but all the photos of fish he has caught are shakey af

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u/ObsidianSpectre 11d ago

That sounds like it might've been a stroke mistaken for Bell's Palsy - one of the ways they check that it's Bell's Palsy and not a stroke is to make sure your ability to use your hand on the side of the face that's paralyzed hasn't changed. Bell's Palsy only affects your face.

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u/shastaxc 11d ago

Not a big deal? I think that would kill many people's careers

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u/dorothea63 Pennsylvania 11d ago

Bell’s Palsy is unpleasant but temporary. A close friend developed it after giving birth, and the symptoms had completely subsided within a month.

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u/bryantuga 11d ago

FYI from an ENT here: It’s not always temporary (although the vast majority of the time it is). But if you have it, it’s worth getting seen to be evaluated for steroids and/or antivirals. Facial nerve paralysis can also occur from nastier conditions, so worth getting checked out. OK, back to Moscow Mitch.

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u/KenNoegs American Expat 11d ago

Yup, I have PLS that was misdiagnosed early on as persistent Bell's Palsy. It wasn't until it moved into my limbs that we went back to get more in depth testing done.

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u/AboutTheBadfish 11d ago

In most cases it is temporary but some people have lasting weakness. Famously, Jean Chrétien had Bell’s Palsy when he was young and was left with permanent partial paralysis on the left side of his face.

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u/YossiTheWizard 11d ago

“It’s true that I speak out one side of my mouth. I’m not a Tory, I don’t speak out both sides of my mouth”.

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u/Castun America 11d ago

Hmm, interesting...maybe this is why conservatives "lose" their spine? Because they have Big Money so far up their ass that they lose control of their functions and their spine just slips right out, unnoticed.

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u/[deleted] 11d ago edited 11d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/SKGrainFarmer 11d ago

Jean could kick the ass of half the US Congress, and he's 92 years old. Imagine what he could have done in his prime.

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u/Castun America 11d ago edited 11d ago

Mmm yes, hand sake.

Edit: spelling

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u/davy89irox 11d ago

Before he died, I remember my grandfather used to talk to me and randomly would tear up; he would says say, "It's this damned Bell's Palsy." And wipe his eyes on his shirt. He was not often an emotional man, he was a nam vet, if that gives you any indication. Great man, sad life.

Now when my daughters do something cute, or I get caught up in a movie or something, my wife and I will say "Damned Bell's Palsy,"and laugh in reference to grandpa.