‘BE FORTHCOMING’

Rand Paul Needles McConnell Over Recent Press Conference Freeze-Up

“I don’t think it’s been particularly helpful to have the Senate doctor describing it as dehydration,” Paul said.

Mitch McConnell’s recent health scares have largely bought him sympathy on Capitol Hill rather than criticism for holding on to his leadership position—especially from his Republican colleagues. But not Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), an ophthalmologist and longtime home-state antagonist who said Tuesday that he took issue with the diagnosis his office put out. “Everybody’s seen the clips. I don’t think it’s been particularly helpful to have the Senate doctor describing it as dehydration, which I think even a non-physician seeing that probably aren’t really accepting that explanation,” Paul said Tuesday. “I think it’d be better to be forthcoming about what’s going on with health problems,” he continued. Paul clarified on Wednesday that he was not questioning McConnell’s ability to carry out the duties of his leadership position, telling reporters: “It has nothing to do with his fitness to serve and whether he’s doing a good job or a bad job.” McConnell appeared to freeze up last week while addressing reporters during an appearance in Kentucky, sparking a round of medical tests and plenty of worries about the 81-year-old’s health.