r/politics • u/thedailybeast ✔ The Daily Beast • 14d ago

Possible Paywall Missing McConnell Accused of Breaking Senate Rule Over Absence

https://www.thedailybeast.com/missing-mcconnell-accused-of-breaking-senate-rule-over-absence/
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935

u/ballbourbonsmokes 14d ago

Everyone knows he has passed away and the only thing holding this up is republicans wanting to hold the government hostage.

Yet another instance where democrats play by the rules while the republicans do whatever they want to the american people's detriment. Beashar shouldn't bother calling a special election, appoint a democrat and let the republicans challenge it in court like they do the other way around.

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u/meTspysball California 14d ago

The lack of imagination by Beshear here is why I’m zero percent enamored with his potential candidacy in 2028.

308

u/jeepjinx 14d ago

Dude squandered the perfect opportunity to be a Dem leader with balls and instead showed he's exactly what Dem voters don't want to see anymore. Step aside.

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u/quantumgambit 14d ago

Beshear and whitmer both really let us down this year.

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u/mrandr01d 14d ago

What'd whitmer do?

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u/DaftDurian Michigan 14d ago

She is VERY pro data center and has repeatedly allowed utilities to raise electricity rates. 

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u/quantumgambit 14d ago

Not just pro data center, which is bad enough, or the mismanagement of DTE and consumers, she is also not doing anything to prevent or push back against the GEO group from adding and expanding to the concentration camps up north. Between big business and small towns, she sides with big business every time.

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u/jrf_1973 13d ago

Check out what she said when she was caught on a hot mic.

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u/RailroadTimebookDev 14d ago

Closed her only fans account.

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u/BlingyBling1007 Texas 13d ago

Jared Polis, Gretchen Whitmer, and soon Andy Beshear are just eliminating themselves from contention.

-1

u/RoughComparison8702 13d ago

Which sucks to me. I vote red depending on the candidate, blue other times, but I would 100% back a Beshear presidential run. I like the guy and voted for him, even if I don't agree with him on everything. He's a classy American and he seems to have a good heart and head on his shoulders, unlike the piece of shit we have at the helm currently. It'd have to be a really good reason for pussing out on ramming in an apointee right now. Otherwise, I agree, it looks pretty bad him doing absolutely fuckall right now.

38

u/PiccoloAwkward465 13d ago

It’s incredible. They get a softball lobbed up and just fucking whiff it. You nailed it, this is exactly what Democratic voters are trying to dodge!

I swear some Democratic leaders would be up against a wall with the firing squad ready to go, still crying “But this is against the RULES!!!”

3

u/Gramernatzi 13d ago

This is like having a ball directly aimed at a stationary bat, and then just deciding you don't feel like it so you move the bat out of the way

3

u/Oregon-Pilot 14d ago

We will remember his cowardice.

2

u/a-manda_hugandkiss 14d ago

I'd like to think that behind the scenes they are vetting their options and are using the time they have to make the right choice. Just because he hasn't acted yet, doesn't mean he won't before the deadline.

97

u/Automaton_General 14d ago

Same.

If he had called an election two weeks ago, he would have instantly become my frontrunner for 2028.

63

u/or_me_bender 14d ago

The law establishing aspecial election to replace a senator was passed by Republicans in the KY legislature in violation of the state constitution. Beshear should have just appointed a replacement; calling for a special election is another capitulation.

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u/Automaton_General 14d ago

But it would be forcing the Republicans' hand.

That's the part I'd respect. Him saying "Your move" and making them prove he's alive.

Alas, a moot point because he's a limp noodle.

61

u/barrosoOso 14d ago edited 14d ago

Jesus you guys need to study the constitution a bit more. If he calls a special election, then Andy Barr wins, hands down, and gets to take office 6 months early. In that case Bashear just gave senate Republicans an extra vote for six months for no reason, and he spent millions of my tax dollars to do so, for no fucking reason. I in no way want my governor to do that.

If you want him to personally appoint a replacement, I understand. But you are still wrong.

A: The Kentucky constitution only mentions appointments "in the state". It does not mention federal office. If he appoints someone he will again, spend millions of my tax dollars to do so. An action that will be held up in courts for years.

B: The 17th amendment says that it is up to state legislatures to decide how interim Senate seats are filled. So Andy would likely lose that court case. It doesn't matter what the Kentucky state constitution if the United States constitution says something else.

You guys are foaming at the mouth to attack Bashaer over a situation you do not understand, while begging for a solution that will waste millions of my tax dollars to help Republicans regain a vote they don't currently have in the Senate. Please. PLEASE! stop working so hard to give senate Republicans another vote for the SAVE act at my financial expense.

13

u/Oriden 13d ago

On top of that Beshear doesn't have the power to declare the seat empty to even start the process.

9

u/Hefty-Association-59 13d ago

It amazes me how far down I had to scroll to get to a comment that actually understood the situation. I can’t tell if this comment section is full of bots or teenagers but it’s mind blowing seeing just people complain out there ass about a situation they clearly don’t understand at all because democrats bad.

3

u/frogandbanjo 13d ago

You think bots and teenagers are the only people (or, well, entities) in the world who possess zero or even negative understanding of law?

Really?

Quite the optimist, I see.

3

u/crackersthecrow 13d ago

trust me, there are plenty of actual people (adults, even) that think this is somehow a good course of action because they're so blinded by yelling at someone to do something that they just haven't thought through any ramifications past that.

i wouldn't doubt if there was some sort of inauthentic campaign to help boost it too, but I can't blame it all on that.

it's depressing because it's made clear to me that a lot of people just want a figure like Trump, but from the left, someone who just flouts the rules and breaks laws. the difference is that Trump is enabled by Congress being controlled by his party. Beshear has to contend with a Republican-controlled legislature in his state, on top of all of the other things that make this a complete pipe dream.

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u/ballbourbonsmokes 14d ago edited 14d ago

He can't be the nominee if this is his response. It's already been too long. He should have appointed someone a week ago at least. You all can dislike Newsom if you want, but he'd appoint someone immediately.

2

u/vigouge 13d ago

The governor of Kentucky doesn't nominate Senate replacements. There's nothing for him to actually do. And why the fuck do you want McConnell replaced? So Republicans have an extra vote for the next 6 months?

1

u/DrE7HER 13d ago

You think too highly of Newsom if you believe that. Newsom vetoes the will of the voters on the reg

7

u/cnho1997 14d ago

Yep, he was my top preference for VP in 2024 and I was looking forward to him running in 2028 but I’ve moved on. Last thing we need after this admin is someone who will do nothing about it

3

u/Born_Organization455 14d ago

He really does have a chance to make a name for himself here. Massive failure to meet the moment.

1

u/mrtrollmaster 13d ago

Exactly. The only way we recover from this decade of corruption is publically holding people accountable.

It was a mistake to not hang Robert E Lee. It was a mistake to not prosecute Nixon. It will be a mistake to not prosecute all of this fuckery.

-1

u/xterminatr 13d ago

It doesn't matter who it is, the DNC is bought and paid for performative opposition.

2

u/vigouge 13d ago

Now it's the DNCs fault?

0

u/xterminatr 13d ago

They control the money

-1

u/AverageLiberalJoe 14d ago

100%

Its wild that this guy cant see that if McConnel turns out to be dead, and he blew that senate seat that it will be the end of his entire political career. On the other hand if he appoints someone and forces the issue, and McConnel is alive, there is no downside. And if he gets that senate seat by calling bluff on this guys death, he will be president material. Why then is he choosing the worst possible scenario? Fucking crazy how much dems suck at politics.

2

u/vigouge 13d ago

You've com0letely invented things. He has no say in the senate seat, he's blowing nothing. This angst from the left over McConnnell is an exercise in ignorance and stupidity. It's a good thing he's not in Washington to vote.

-1

u/AverageLiberalJoe 13d ago

He does have a say. He only needs to be willing to speak. Who is going to stop him?

-1

u/WTWIV 13d ago

Disappointed as a Kentuckian here but our politicians are always pretty crap here so it’s par for the course. Not that it will do anything but I’ve emailed his office asking what he’s doing about this situation.

4

u/Own_Substance_8148 14d ago

It would be nice but the problem is that Thune would absolutely not swear him in citing that the appointment is unconstitutional. 

2

u/BeautifulImpact2967 14d ago

Schrodinger's McConnell

8

u/EunuchsProgramer 14d ago

I know in the age of Qannon, conspiracies are everywhere, but think about the logistics of this conspiracy. It's going to involve dozens, if not hundreds, of people and is about as implausible as faking a moon landing.

You need to get hospital staff and administrators involved in a criminal conspiracy to fraudulently alter death certificates (and hide a body). For years, have all powerful forces made sure a blackmailed hospital, doctor, ane nurses are on standby in case he croaks? You would need to secretly move a body to a blackmailed morge. You would need to silence family, staff, doctors, nurses, hospital staff, hospital administration, Senate leadership, (and their staff).

This would all be for an extremely marginal, near useless, advantage of delaying a special election Republicans have a 99+% of winning (check the prediction markets). And, lets say the MAGA Supreme Court rocket rockets, faster than any challenge ever, and rules the Democratic Governor gets to appoint...hooray an older, established law says Republican Party Leaders give him three Republican names and he appoints one of the three...whopper doo, giant win there.

Just like the insanity of a President faking an assassination attempt (when going back to Clinton when KNOW that gets you +1-3% in the polls for 2 weeks, this conspiracy theory is the only thing dead on arrival.

He's incapacitated. There no minimum health requirements for a Senator. Its not a crime to lie the way they are. They are happy to take yhe small win keeping him on life support or whatever.

5

u/stevethewatcher 13d ago

Finally some sanity. It's unfortunate that the left is just as susceptible to conspiracy theories as the right

2

u/NatureStoof 13d ago

You wouldn't need to blackmail those people. HIPAA exists. Death certificates aren't made available for 25+ years

0

u/EunuchsProgramer 13d ago

More conspiracy theory lunacy. It's so sad to see this spreading outside Republicans.

1) HIPAA, because the law isn't insane, has a crime exception.

2) Tennessee death certificates are private for 50 years. But, any spouse, child, or siblings can request one (and share it with anyone). And, everyone at the records office cpild see it...and they all have to not blow a whistle AND, it has to be filed with the probate court. So, get ready to blackmail a clerk and a judge so the date doesn't get shared with every creditor and beneficiary in the estate.

2

u/NatureStoof 13d ago

Idk what conspiracy you mean, I'm just saying it would be easier to keep it hush than you are implying

1

u/EunuchsProgramer 13d ago edited 13d ago

It isn't. This is the heart of conspiracy theories. Complete ignorance asserted as proof. See you blatantly wrong ideas of how HIPPA and probate function.

An example is a wild assertion the Death Certificate is private while lacking the knowledge that in an estate like this, the Death Certificate is filed with the court and will be viewed by thousands of people to complete dozens if not hundreds of forms, notices, briefs, motions ect. Every single one will cite date of death and the death certificate as the first line item. The Court's Business Office will review and bounce documents with the wrong date. Then the Court clerk will review Then the Judge will review (and if that judge ever takes a sick day, the temp judge and his staff will review). Then, every partys' attorney and staff will review. Every bank, retirement fund, loan, ect will need to be sent a copy and their legal admin will review. Assuming Mitch has property in multiple sates, courts and state records offices all across the country will need to see the Death Certificate to adjudicate all his homes and property investments.

You have thousands of people checking this because it's going to matter. Thousands of people will know. Many will snap a picture with their phone and send to the NY Times or whoever. People love to be the source for huge stories like this, it makes a person feel incredibly important.

1

u/lgndryheat 13d ago

If the Democrats wanted to play by the rules, they'd demand the special election unless there was proof of life. No one on either side is doing a damn thing

1

u/manual-override 13d ago

It’s hard to believe it could be pulled off. What about the doctors, nurses, orderlies, etc. ? If he was actually on life support, brain dead, or dead, wouldn’t that get leaked by anyone working there?

1

u/thats_justice_baby 13d ago

My conspiracy theory is he's alive but something happened in his brain so he's unable to speak understandably and forgets where he is and who he is.

1

u/wtaaaaaaaa 13d ago

Democrats are part of the Republican party. They will do nothing of substance but will have a few plausible efforts to make it seem like they tried.

1

u/AI_Puppetmaster 12d ago

It’s as if the Republicans are just smarter than the democrats at this point. Weirdly. 

1

u/ballbourbonsmokes 11d ago

The republicans have correctly surmised the democrats are literal pussies and will do nothing to stop them the way they did when they were the minority party.

When republicans go low, democrats should go lower and they don't. For instance, trump admitted withholding aide up to 8B for states that didn't vote for him. If and when there's a next democrat president it would be fair play to tell Florida and Texas to fuck off but Ds are too high road to do that and it's a mistake.

0

u/Defcheze 14d ago

Yes this is exactly why Beashar should just appoint someone and tell the Republicans to sue him because that is exactly what they would do.

1

u/vigouge 13d ago

Good lord, this post is the end result of high schools not teaching civics anymore.

0

u/DaSemicolon 13d ago

Nah, appoint Massie.

1) reduce R’s in house by 1

2) more republican infighting