Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) rumors continue to grow as his approval rating remains low in a new poll.
The Economist/YouGov survey found that 49% of respondents disapproved of McConnell's role as the GOP's Senate leader.
Poll: Mitch McConnell’s Approval Underwater as Retirement Rumors Swirl - He sold out the Party and loves war too much https://t.co/3JLsX07La6
— Jamie (@jamie_l_dawson) April 14, 2023
"McConnell lacks clear support among the Republican base, as 42 percent approve of his job performance and 40 percent do not. Further, 19 percent 'strongly' disapprove of his job performance, while ten percent strongly approve," Breitbart News reported.
"Half of independents view McConnell unfavorably, as do 57 percent of Democrats. However, 28 percent of Democrats approve of the 81-year-old’s job performance," it added.
Sources: GOP senators preparing for McConnell retirement https://t.co/1636ckAMYW
— Ben Domenech (@bdomenech) April 13, 2023
"McConnell fell at a dinner event for the Senate Leadership Fund on March 8 at the Waldorf Astoria, formerly the Trump Hotel, in Washington, DC," The Spectator noted.
"He suffered a concussion, and only after being treated at a hospital and at his home did murmurs begin that he might be unable to return to the Senate," it continued.
Mitch McConnell is eternal https://t.co/YHfcWVV8yr
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) April 13, 2023
McConnell has so far pushed forward despite the retirement rumors.
“I am looking forward to returning to the Senate on Monday. We’ve got important business to tackle and big fights to win for Kentuckians and the American people,” McConnell tweeted.
"The 81-year-old Kentuckian passed Democratic Montana Sen. Mike Mansfield to set the record for longest-serving Senate leader in January. McConnell became GOP leader in 2007. He served as Senate Majority Leader from 2015 to 2021, with all other years in the minority," according to the Daily Caller.
If McConnell does retire, the GOP will have several choices for its new leader. Sen. John Thune (SD) currently serves as Senate Minority Whip and lead in McConnell's absence. John Barrasso (WY) currently serves as the GOP Senate Chairman. Texas Sen. John Cornyn has previously served in both roles.
The latest rumors come as other aging lawmakers are also questioned about their retirement. Among them are California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, currently 89, who has recently been in the hospital for health issues and plans to retire after her current term ends in 2024. Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley (IA) is 88, serving as the party's oldest Senate member, and is currently planning to run for another term.
