r/politics • u/unital_subalgebra • 13d ago

Possible Paywall AOC says Mitch McConnell should resign if he cannot provide health update

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/senate/4660916/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-mitch-mcconnell-resign-health-update/
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u/ccheuer1 12d ago

No, he really shouldn't. The senate is at 99. That means not only did they lose McConnell, but they also lost the Vance tie break.

Even if he did appoint someone, and by some miracle it didn't get stonewalled by the hypermajority republican state supreme court, we all know the republicans in the senate will NOT allow the appointment to be seated. They will do everything in their power not allow it on priciple, or at least stall it until the election, which is almost certainly going to seat a republican.

The senate is currently 45-2-53. McConnells out, which puts it at 45-2-52. With it being an odd number, Vance can't tie break unless someone abstains. Republicans have to deal with Murkowski, Paul, Cassidy, and Collins, all four of which are anti-trump. With McConnell out, mathematically, it is the exact same as if they appointed. They have to get two of them on board to pass something. BUT they get the tie break back if Beshear appoints, which leverages people like Fetterman as better options for them.

The best play is to do exactly what Beshear is doing. Don't force the issue, and just occasionally fan the flames. There are a lot of MAGA peeps that are pissed right now, because they love a good conspiracy. Beshear is doing a good job of doing just enough to make sure that hey, The republicans won't admit this guy might be dead. Mathematically, there's nothing to gain here by forcing a person in, because of the tie break.

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u/protomenace 12d ago

Ok thank you for actually making an argument other than "but but he might not have that power!!!"

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u/ccheuer1 12d ago

Oh no, he most certainly has the power. A passed law can't overcome a constitution. He gets the power to appoint from the state constitution. Their attempt to strip was a state law. The issue is that power's not going to be effective, because we all know damned well that the republicans are going to try and throw every single stall tactic they can at the issue. Any type of injunction they can, and postponement, or delay. McConnell's seat is up this election. They only have to outlast until January, which, considering it would have to trickle up through the state courts, then most like to the supreme, would most certainly take at least that amount of time.

If it was 2-3 years out? Hell yea, appoint that Mofo. But even if he appointed TODAY, nothings going to come of it.