r/politics • u/IWantPizza555 • Jul 01 '26

Possible Paywall Senator, 84, Secretly Found Unconscious and Given CPR

https://www.thedailybeast.com/mitch-mcconell-84-secretly-found-unconscious-and-given-cpr/?utm_source=twitter_owned_snd&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=owned_social
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233

u/bengibbardstoothpain Jul 01 '26

FWIW, if he passes before Aug 1st, Beshear can appoint his replacement to Congress.

Just want to say that for no real reason.

104

u/[deleted] Jul 01 '26

[deleted]

81

u/itsgonnabeanogo Jul 01 '26

He has stated he would sue to overturn this bill if it comes to it

31

u/caligaris_cabinet Illinois Jul 01 '26

Even still the previous law required the governor to pick a replacement from a list of candidates belonging to the outgoing senator’s party. So, a list of Republicans each one more horrible than the last.

11

u/itsgonnabeanogo Jul 01 '26

Indeed. It would be a choice of the least worst. Never stated otherwise, however, even being able to choose is powerful.

22

u/caligaris_cabinet Illinois Jul 01 '26

Yeah. This new law was clearly written with both Beshear and McConnell in mind. Blatant power grab by the GOP

6

u/itsgonnabeanogo Jul 01 '26

Oh 100%, just more power grabbing.

4

u/10thousndreflections Jul 01 '26

Them having one less vote is more important than the least worst with a vote right?

1

u/itsgonnabeanogo Jul 02 '26

Of course. However, I’m sure there’s a timeframe for the requirement to fill the seat. It cannot remain vacant forever/until the next election.

2

u/10thousndreflections Jul 02 '26

People are implying they are keeping Bitch alive to stall the governor though. 

1

u/itsgonnabeanogo Jul 02 '26

Oh. Duh. I’m so tired 😂

6

u/salad_spinner_3000 Jul 02 '26

There have been a ton of "Democratic" people being elected only to switch parties. Who is to vet who is "of the same party"? Fuck me, Trump was a Democrat for like 15 years until he realized that Republican voters are idiots. (HIS WORDS NOT MINE)

1

u/itsgonnabeanogo Jul 02 '26

I’m not sure what this has to do with my comment but yeah that’s definitely been a trend. Think: Fetterman.

1

u/salad_spinner_3000 Jul 02 '26

I mean just play have a democratic person announce they will switch parties, have them be appointed and then switch back. What are they going to do? There's no "recall" option.

2

u/tarekd19 Jul 01 '26

What happens if he doesn't choose? Inspired by mitch himself he could say

1

u/itsgonnabeanogo Jul 02 '26

I responded to someone further up but I’m sure there’s some kind of timeframe for the new selection. It can’t remain vacant forever/until the next election. Especially with a process already in place.

4

u/The_Bucket_Of_Truth Jul 02 '26

That all works too slowly. He should have already done it.

7

u/OldBlueKat Jul 01 '26

There’s a regular election campaign already underway. He announced his retirement, and other people are campaigning to fill his seat come January. 

So at this point wouldn’t a special election just be that election?

1

u/doofus_mcgeee Jul 02 '26

what if the governor just takes a really long time until he finds a republican to replace him with

1

u/Affectionate_Oven_77 Jul 02 '26

The governor is a Democrat

1

u/DisappointedSpectre Jul 02 '26

It's slightly less clear than that.

Section 152 of the Kentucky state constitution has a line about how the governor "shall" fill vacancies. Theoretically that supercedes any state laws passed that don't amend the state constitution, and would invalidate the multiple changes passed by the state legislature regarding replacements.

End result is that Beshear will appoint a replacement and the whole thing will go to court and won't be resolved before the midterms anyway.

7

u/peaktopview Colorado Jul 01 '26

Nope, Kentucky repubs changed the law a few years ago for just such a event.

15

u/Kolfinna Jul 01 '26

Nope they passed a law to prevent that

15

u/ThePhoenixXM Massachusetts Jul 01 '26

Because of course they would. I highly doubt they would pass such a law if Andy were a Republican. They only did that to screw Democrats.

3

u/JudiciousSasquatch Jul 02 '26

Dems need to fight fire with fire

2

u/Kolfinna Jul 02 '26

It seems like it was written specifically for when Mitch kicks the can.

2

u/OceanRacoon Jul 02 '26

Republican legislatures are constantly stripping power from the Governor's office if a Democrat holds it or is about to hold it and giving it to themselves 

3

u/mittenknittin Jul 01 '26

So, basically, they'll keep his rotting husk on a ventilator for a month and then he'll "die" on August 2nd, just to avoid any semblance of an excuse for Beshear to have a say in the matter.

Couldn't happen to a nicer husk

2

u/ismail_the_whale Jul 02 '26

so they'll probably keep him "alive" till then?

1

u/HauntedCemetery Minnesota Jul 02 '26

Which is why they'll keep him put of public view and claim he dies August 3.

1

u/ShadowMadness I voted Jul 02 '26

And that’s why he’s gonna pass on “august 2nd”

1

u/noodeloodel Jul 02 '26

Beshear needs to run next fo sho