Is anyone else seriously concerned that John McCain is now suffering from early onset stages of dementia?
I hope that is not the explanation, but it seems like the most likely one to me.
30 Comments
Is anyone else seriously concerned that John McCain is now suffering from early onset stages of dementia?
I hope that is not the explanation, but it seems like the most likely one to me.
I’m working, but my sis texted me and said McCain has lost his mind. So it’s not just you being concerned. Time to retire, John. You’re losing it.
He’s 80 years old. Most people with “early onset” are younger than 65.
The man is very old. Not surprised. But he should also retire if that’s the case.
I guess I used the wrong term. I meant only that it might be in the early stages.
No. I don’t think you’re wrong, but I’m completely unconcerned about it.
McCain is 80 years old. There’s nothing “early” about any condition you might diagnose him with.
That was very disturbing. It could be transient, but even so, it’s still disturbing.
Wow, just caught up with it. My dad is 81. If he started rambling like that I would get worried about a transient ischemic attack. Seriously, someone should make sure he is okay.
could be medication, lack of sleep…but he needs a check up, stat.
Agreed. STAT. Did not have the video feed but from the audio it was evident that his line of questioning was utterly jumbled. He seemed unable to differentiate between the Clinton email handling investigation that concluded last summer and the ongoing Russian investigation. I lost count of the times he re-quoted Comey’s “very big deal” statement. Hope he was just experiencing a bad day but one must appreciate going forward a new and potentially worsening landscape to interpret future quotes and actions attributed to McCain.
Well past early onset. His anger also a sign. Burr was obviously protecting him by shutting him down. He was flatly incoherent.
You know, if you talk to Pat Leahy for a while at times you know he isn’t as quick as he was. He knows how to prepare, so maybe it isn’t an issue with him (Not watching the hearings).
People are not as sharp at 75 as the used to be, with very few exceptions.
Agree on all, except Pat Leahy has long seemed to me not quick.
Dianne Feinstein, currently oldest sitting US senator (she was born 3 months after FDR first took office), has been looking old lately too, at least judging from a couple of awful town hall appearances. She is probably better in scripted situations, like senate hearings, where the staff prepares the questions.
But that’s not the main reason I’d like to see her primaried into retirement.
Similar for McCain — age is one issue. But it’s the constant hankering for the US to get involved in wars and more wars.
I thought Feinstein said she was retiring? am I thinking of a different Senator?
Boxer also of California has announced her retirement.
Boxer retired before the last election and is replaced by Harris.
Feinstein has not yet announced plans.
AFAIK she has not yet declared.
I was struck similarly, but it’d been so many years since I’d seen or heard him speak publicly that I figured it was the result of a gradual slide, and that I’d be used to it if I’d been up on his recent media appearances. Guess not.
McCain’s behavior and questioning were very disturbing. I actually wondered if he was having a stroke. Also interesting that he was told by the Chair that his time was up. I didn’t hear that said to any other questioner. Almost like Burr was worried too and was trying to save McCain from himself.
He and trump are actually similar in that regard. Trump has always been a blowhard but if you compare his interviews and speeches from 10 years ago to how he speaks now there seems to be a significant cognitive decline. Having dealt with one grandparent who had Alzheimer’s and another who had vascular dementia the behavior of both is very similar to me.
Calvin studiously watched the hearing this AM and it was very clear that McCain has gone off the rails. He should not have run for re-election. It almost seems as if he wants to die with his boots on.
I wonder if McFool will take as kindly as Strom T. did to being led around all day by a Repub minder? Will be interesting to see McCain’s famously out of control temper as this progresses.
He’ll remain a rock solid Repub vote, of course; a functioning brain is certainly not an essential element of “conservative” thinking…
And what would the Sunday shows do without him?!
“thinking”, too.
The GOP will be wheeling him in for votes like the Dems rolled Senator Byrd in for votes.
Speaking of drumming up Senate votes, McConnell is pushing for the new version of the healthcare bill to be passed asap. I made my calls. Not looking good, from the rumors I’ve heard, though.
Yeah, its likely going to happen. Doesnt help that the investigations have sucked up all the air from the room.
Side Note: Trumpcare causing people to be disappointed in Trump, not the GOP. So anyone expecting an easy win if this passes needs to silence theur inner Ruy Texeira.
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/6/7/15674380/obamacare-kentucky-trump-ahca
Also, as I said at Cole’s place, “I’m sorry: I have a pre-existing condition, and have neither time nor patience to feel bad for the son of a bitch who is going to take away my healthcare. Especially when that son of a bitch gets health care FOR LIFE, on my dime.”
John McCain would gladly take health care away from millions of Americans, and dramatically increase costs for old people just like him. If John McCain is willing to let someone else’s grandmother go without Alzheimers care, why on EARTH should I give one single tinker’s damn about John fucking McCain, who will get the best care possible in his senescence?
When the camera angle was from behind McCain across the panel’s bench, a couple times Feinstein was leaning in towards McCain, appearing to look concerned, as though she might be considering intervening; then shortly after that saying something to colleague on her left.
Otoh, body language is imprecise and hard to read with any confidence; maybe she was just trying to hear better. But that (i.e., serious concern over what she was seeing/hearing from McCain) was certainly the impression she gave me.
with an explanation helpfully composed by someone on his staff:
Definitely staff covering his ass for him.
That game wasn’t even worth watching; Arizona beat up on the Padres for the nth time this season. McCain should have got his beauty rest.
McCain’s case imo.
Think his beauty-rest train left the station long LONG ago.