It has been noted by outside observers that Thad Cochran seems to have a tenuous grip on his surroundings. Whether it is the onset of dementia or simply and elderly man losing his touch on the day to day we don’t know. But his shaky grip on reality has been on display for a while. For instance, Atlantic reporter Molly Ball reported this:

I followed Cochran from the square to a local diner, Jean’s Restaurant, where patrons swiveled away from plastic plates of boiled okra and corn fritters to shake his hand. On the wall were two framed photographs of Chris McDaniel. The restaurant’s owner, Diane Trammell, told me McDaniel had visited twice and stayed for an hour each time. “I don’t recall the last time I seen Thad,” she said. She’d always voted for Cochran in the past, but now she wasn’t sure.

Cochran didn’t pose for any pictures during his brief sweep. As he made his way toward the exit, the senator held out his hand to me. I had met and interviewed him less than half an hour before.

“Hello, how are you doing?” he said with a kindly smile. “I’m Thad Cochran.”

Today Cochran gave an interview which included this exchange:

INTERVIEWER: What happened in Virginia the other day, does that concern you for your chances here in this run-off?

COCHRAN: I don’t know what you’re talking about. What happened in Virginia?

INTERVIEWER: With Eric Cantor losing his seat.

COCHRAN: Well, I haven’t followed that campaign very closely at all.

INTERVIEWER: Really?

This is little short of stunning. The most significant political even in the United States in the past week was the first House Majority Leader since 1899 being turfed out of office by his constituents. Cochran doesn’t know about it. The article goes on to note that he followed this up with an interview with the WaPo’s Dan Balz, When asked about Obamacare, Cochran said:

“I think we need to monitor any federal programs that provide services and assistance to people who need help, and this is an example of an important effort by the federal government to help make health care available, accessible and affordable,” he said. “We have probably one of the best health-care systems in the country, in the world, and we’ll need to continue to work to make sure it meets the expectations and needs of the American people. I’m glad to be involved in that effort.”

All joking aside, it is pretty clear now that Thad Cochran does not have sufficient mental faculties to serve as Senator. And that, my friends, is a sad state of affairs.