Joe Biden and Mitch McConnell struck up a friendship during their nearly quarter-century in the Senate together. Now in their 80s, the Democratic president and the Senate GOP leader appear to be giving political cover to each other as they fend off questions about their advanced age and health issues.

Notably, McConnell, R-Ky., 81, hasnā€™t joined Donald Trump, 77, and other Republicans who have attacked Bidenā€™s age, health and mental acuity as he seeks re-election.

And after McConnellā€™s second freeze-up last week, Biden was one of the first to call McConnell, telling reporters that his ā€œfriendā€ sounded like ā€œhis old selfā€ and that such episodes are a ā€œpart of his recoveryā€ from a fall and a concussion this year.