Demands for proof-of-life footage of the long-absent Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have finally been met — with video of his spokesman fleeing.
The video shows Nicholas Ballasy, an independent journalist who works on Capitol Hill, asking Senior Communications Adviser Robert Steurer about Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear's demands for proof McConnell is fit to serve.
"Are you guys going to respond to Governor Beshear?" asked Ballasy. "Are you going to release a video of McConnell? Are you going to release anything in addition to the second photo? Anything you can say, sir, in response to the governor's letter?"
Steurer does not respond in the video, and simply continues to climb the stairs.
McConnell, who has been hospitalized for weeks after a reported cardiac arrest, has released two photos of himself with his wife Elaine Chao in the hospital, as evidence he is still alive and recovering. One photo included a corner of that day's edition of The Washington Post.
Further details about his condition are scant, however, and no videos have emerged of him speaking directly to the public. This has led to a number of conspiracy theorists speculating that he might actually be deceased already.
Beshear has hounded McConnell's office to provide further details on his condition, to verify he is in a fit state to continue serving as a senator.
If McConnell were to pass away or be permanently incapacitated, recent legal changes passed by the Republican-controlled legislature of Kentucky would bypass Beshear's previous power to appoint an interim senator and require a special election directly.
