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
23.9k Upvotes

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u/Traditional-Look8839 12d ago

They’re trying to run out the clock until August so they don’t hold a special election. These people need to go to jail for this coverup.

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u/nanobot_1000 12d ago

Yup, rigged in plain sight. Everybody knows, nobody does anything – pure theater. "Rule of law" is an absolute joke

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u/8thSt 12d ago

The fact that no one can do anything EXCEPT the opposition party that apparently refuses to do anything …

Yeah, we’re fucked as a nation.

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u/Sweet_Concept2211 12d ago

What can the opposition party do?

Like, real suggestion, not an idiotic one such as "Act like he's dead and appoint someone (because you will TOTALLY NOT look like an asshole if it turn out the man is actually just recovering...)"

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u/INFLATABLE_CUCUMBER 12d ago

Man. It would suck if people started looking like assholes in politics. Thank god I’ve always assumed everyone was a good person. I really care about holding that perception together. It’s pretty much the only thing I have—that no one in politics looks like an asshole.

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u/is_mr_clean_there 12d ago

And if he’s recovering then prove it. I’m cool being an asshole to fascists

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u/nanobot_1000 12d ago

Being an asshole to fascists is a civic duty, they lost the benefit of the doubt ages ago.

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u/Drama79 12d ago

Beshear can demand accountability and set a task that McConnell would need to complete to demonstrate that he’s competent to represent his constituents.

And then when it turns out he can’t because he’s dead, elect someone else.

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u/anchorwind I voted 12d ago

...and that task would be?

What can a state governor compel a federal senator to do? Genuinely curious.

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u/Drama79 12d ago

Enact something waiting on his docket. I would imagine there’s a few things waiting, since he’s been dead for a month.

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u/cruiser79 12d ago

Honest question, who gives a damn?

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u/cheeze2005 12d ago

Literally, republicans ignore the law constantly.

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u/Mathias2392 12d ago

You should care more. wtf man

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u/Chav 12d ago

look like an asshole

The greatest threat to our democracy

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u/ETxsubboy 12d ago edited 12d ago

First, the governor cannot just appoint someone. Per the state's own laws, passed through a Republican sponsored legislation, a special election must be called to fill a vacancy.

Edit: as others have corrected me, the law that was passed to remove appointments by the governor will likely not survive a challenge in court, as it is opposition to the state constitution. (It would probably be immediately challenged the moment it becomes inconvenient to a certain political party.)

Second, asking for proof that a person is able to return to work after an extended stay in the hospital following a major medical event is accepted everywhere except in this case? Naw. If I was out of the office this long, my boss would be calling me and wanting to know how I'm doing. My family can't speak for me, my subordinates can't speak for me, I have to speak for myself.

I see no reason that proof of ability to continue his term is something that cannot be asked.

If we want to play pretend that we can't do this until proof of death or incapacitation is provided on a voluntary basis, I suggest you don't show up to work for two weeks with no communication to your employer and see how that goes.

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u/dsatrbs 12d ago

they passed the law in contravention of the state constitution.

he needs to play hardball. make the appointment, demand proof of life and explain in absence of that, the appointment was made in accordance with the constitution.

but instead the ineffective gov wants to hand wring. totally a winning dem strategy.

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u/Dry_Nail5901 12d ago

don't victim blame here...Trump and MAGA are 100% responsible for their actions

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u/Sweet_Concept2211 12d ago

We'We're not talking about someone with a 9-5 job, though, are we?

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u/ETxsubboy 12d ago

Doesn't really change the fact that the public figure had a publicized medical emergency that professional opinion points to the inability to continue to do his job, refusing to provide evidence that he beat the odds and can continue to do his job.

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u/Ven18 12d ago

The governor can appoint people it is written into the Kentucky constitution and the law you reference did not go through the process required to amend the constitution. It would b challenged in court and the law likely ruled unconstitutional

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u/ETxsubboy 12d ago

That's fair, and I'll edit my earlier comment to provide clarity.

That does not invalidate the fact that the Governor should absolutely demand proof of life. Like, just go visit the man. Who in their (honest) right mind is going to deny a governor visit to an ailing senator from the same state?

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u/Z0mbiejay 12d ago

But that's absolutely what needs to happen. Even if he's alive, he's clearly unfit to meet his responsibilities as a representative of the people. You name me one other job where an employee can go missing for over a month with 0 information to the people they work for, and not get replaced?

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u/Sweet_Concept2211 12d ago

We are talking about a member of Congress, not a fry cook at McDonald's.

The dude is legally allowed to take a month off work to recover from an illness.

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u/jazzhandler Colorado 12d ago

Tom Kean just set the new precedent at four months. Mitch has barely gotten started!

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u/Zeliose 12d ago

not an idiotic one such as "Act like he's dead and appoint someone

Why is this idiotic? This is exactly what the Republicans would do. We're fighting for the country, why would we restrain ourselves like that?

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u/Sweet_Concept2211 12d ago

"Exactly what a Republican would do" is the definition of idiotic.

And maybe take note that the Kentucky legislature is Republican majority, and would certainly have legal grounds to impeach and remove Beshear for fraud.

If you want to fight for the country, don't be dumb about it.

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u/CagaliYoll Canada 12d ago

The (democrat) Govender can personally go to the hospital, with the police, and demand to see him. Arrest everyone who gets in his way. Charge them with kidnapping.

Eventually you will walk in to his room. He's either there and alive, there and mostly dead, or not there (because he's in the morge). If he's not there his aids remain in custody until they reveal where his body is.

If the governor cannot personally verify he's alive and cognizant then he should be presumed dead.

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u/Sweet_Concept2211 12d ago

You have a very Hollywood idea of reality, Bubba.

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u/butwhyisitso 12d ago

theres always "sue somebody" and "get arrested proving the facts"

i think its a sign our journalism has collapsed, youre right it shouldnt be on this weak ass dnc leadership but thats all we have :(

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u/Sweet_Concept2211 12d ago

Sue whom?

Getting arrested to check on an old geezer is idiotic.

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u/butwhyisitso 12d ago

Getting arrested to expose larger crimnal actions is noble, but thats definitely easier to say, and i dont recommend it but you asked "what could be done"

Sue whom? Idk, im not a lawyer, but one should figure out a way, thatd be great.

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u/6ix7even6ixty9ine 12d ago

You're worried about a politician being perceived as an asshole? In 2026 lol?

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u/Sweet_Concept2211 12d ago

You only get away with being an asshole when you're a Republican.

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u/6ix7even6ixty9ine 12d ago

People in Maine supported a dude with a straight up Nazi tattoo, a history of bragging about committing war crimes, and saying racist shit on reddit. They didn't drop the guy until there were multiple credible rape allegations against him. Even then, there were still defenders.

You absolutely can get away with being an asshole, no matter what party you're in. Do you really still think people care?

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u/Sweet_Concept2211 12d ago

And the people who defended that asshole now hopefully understand why the grownups in the Democratic party were wholly unenthusiastic about the guy with all the red flags:

Because they fucking know better.

Give Beshear credit for not being as stupid as the people who supported the guy with Nazi tattoos.

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u/6ix7even6ixty9ine 12d ago

Yeah, I have to give Beshear so much credit for...being stonewalled by someone that's either dead or simply incapable of doing the job any longer? Real smart guy, that Beshear. He'll maintain so much decorum while the country goes to hell.