Mitch McConnell and Our Very Old Congress

米奇·麦康奈尔及我们那位非常年长的国会

What A Day

2026-07-10

22 分钟
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Since 84-year-old Senator Mitch McConnell was hospitalized on June 14th after being found unconscious at his home, not one person — not even President Donald Trump — seems to know what is going on. McConnell is one of the most powerful Republican figures in political history. But over the last few years, he’s had a number of health issues, including freezing episodes during press conferences. And while he’s not running for reelection, his murky health status is not that uncommon for our very old Congress. To find out what that does for our politics and country, we spoke with Idrees Kahloon. He’s a staff writer at The Atlantic who wrote about the incredible power of elder Americans. And in headlines: Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner announced he will withdraw from his race — but he's reportedly waiting until the last possible second to make it official, the U.S. launched new airstrikes against Iran, and FBI Director Kash Patel is facing new criticism for his taxpayer-funded lifestyle. Show Notes: Idrees Kahloon’s “An Oligarchy of Old People” – https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/05/gerontocracy-wealth-power/686585/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
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  • The phrase that Congress is the world's best nursing home,

  • I think sadly has more and more evidence with every passing year.

  • I'm Jane Koston, and this is What A Day, the show wondering how much thought U.S.

  • Trade Representative Jameson Greer put into this comparison he made on Fox Business today.

  • Think about Abraham Lincoln.

  • He was against slavery.

  • He was for tariffs.

  • President Trump, similarly, he's for tariffs and he is against forced labor.

  • Next question, Representative Greer.

  • Can you name like three other presidents?

  • On today's show, we talk about the mystery of Senator Mitch McConnell

  • and how Congress is too damn old with Atlantic staff writer Idris Colun.

  • Before we get into all that, here's what we're following today, Thursday, July 9th.

  • We are suspending campaign operations.

  • This is incredibly difficult because I know that some will think it's an admission of guilt,

  • and it most certainly is not.

  • We're not doing it because of the allegations.

  • We're doing it because of the structures that are being taken away from us by those in power.

  • I feel like that's not why.

  • Main Democratic Senate candidate Graham Plattner announced Wednesday that he will withdraw