Mitch McConnell became increasingly ‘out of step’ with Republican Party

Seattle University Associate Professor of American Politics Dr Patrick Schoettmer says the stepping down of Republican Senator Mitch McConnell arose due to a combination of political and health factors. The Kentucky Senator, who turned 82 last week, will leave as the longest-serving Senate leader in history this November. “Leader McConnell had been suffering a number of health issues – especially over the past year,” Dr Schoettmer said. “Some were concerned that there were some cognitive issues emerging. “There’s also the political concern of him being increasingly out of step – him being more of the Republican and the Ronald Reagan model whereas the new Republican Party is more in Donald Trump model.”