Yeah, not like it's anything unusual for Dems to not represent their constituents while campaigning, ala John F'n Kerry (did you know he served in Vietnam?), Hillary the Thighness, etc.
And as far as illness goes, do you DUmmies remember Senator Tim Johnson? Nadin that and get back to me, mkay?
Oh ****, while you're at it, might as well go with, say, Sheets Byrd, Fat Ted (now Dead Ted), et al.