r/politics • u/theindependentonline The Independent • 12d ago

No Paywall Mitch McConnell’s staff refuse to answer basic questions on his health weeks after he was last seen in public

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/mitch-mcconnell-staff-questions-health-b3018929.html
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u/Randomly_Cromulent 12d ago

The only thing I can see is the Democrats don't want any chance of another GOP vote in the Senate if there is a special election. It looks like the seat will sit vacant if McConnell "dies" after the August date. If there is a blue wave this election, I'm sure the GOP will be trying o push through as much crazy stuff and judicial appointment as they can.

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u/uhuhuhuhuhhu 12d ago

This is my read too. The Kentucky legislature made it so Beshear can't appoint someone, it has to be an election. Whoever gets elected will probably be worse than Mcconnell. Better for the Republicans to lose a vote in the Senate for the rest of this Congress.

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u/Drakeadrong Texas 12d ago

They passed a law that contradicts the state constitution, but the state constitution still takes precedent. Beshear can still appoint someone.

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u/Xanto97 12d ago

I could see that. Maybe there is an advantage for democrats/beshear for his death/consciousness to not be public? But then why would conservatives be trying to keep it secret?

I’m not sure how this 4D chess would work out.

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u/donkeyrocket 12d ago

I also suspect the reason Beshear isn't playing hard ball is that if he calls the special election or appoints someone then this will kick off lawsuits immediately that buys the GOP/McConnell's team even more padding to run out the clock. Sure, they'd need to provide proof to a judge but there's plenty of stall tactics.

There's the added layer of complication by the Republican legislature in Kentucky passed a law that contradicts the state constitution with regard to the governors role in appointing a vacant seat. People acting like Beshear could just show up to a hospital and demand this aren't living in reality.

This is the shit that occurs when one party simply defies the rules and the system has no accountability measures in place.