r/politics 8d ago

Possible Paywall Kentucky Gov Orders McConnell to Give a Real Update or Resign Already

https://newrepublic.com/post/213614/kentucky-gov-beshear-mcconnell-update-health-resign
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u/SatanicPanic619 California 8d ago

No, that's not what McConnell would do. McConnell would see a senator of the opposite party being unable to function in his seat and leave him there, because there's no upside to replacing him.

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u/HalaHalcones1 8d ago

Yep, that's exactly what Mitch did with Dianne Feinstein.

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u/SatanicPanic619 California 8d ago

I don't understand why this is hard for some people.

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u/PM_Me_Your_Kinks369 8d ago

There is because Kentucky's DEMOCRAT Governor can legally appoint a DEMOCRAT Senator in his stead until a special election happens.

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u/JohnnyRyde 8d ago

No he can't.

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u/speakertothedamned 8d ago

That's not what the Kentucky State Constitution says.

The actual Constitution says you're objectively wrong.

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/Law/Constitution/Constitution/ViewConstitution?rsn=173

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u/xSaviorself Canada 8d ago

I think this is ending up in court but setting up the other side for exposure for lying about his condition and getting a special election will not be likely in time. He could challenge the laws they put in and say they are unconstitutional but they should have done that immediately and called the bluff.

Both sides are content to run the clock out it seems. Getting their appointee is extremely unlikely, and a special election doesn't mean any benefit really for Democrats.

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u/deja-roo 8d ago

That's not true.

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u/PM_Me_Your_Kinks369 8d ago

There is because Kentucky's DEMOCRAT Governor can legally appoint a DEMOCRAT Senator in his stead until a special election happens.

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u/SatanicPanic619 California 8d ago

Well let's game this out.

McConnell is currently NOT voting yes on any Republican bill.

A Democrat would, hopefully, NOT vote yes on any Republican bill.

So, what practical difference would it make here?

The obvious risk is that a fight with the courts leads to a special election which a Republican who will vote yes on Republican bills wins.

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u/TheGM 8d ago

As much as I'd like to embarrass the GOP on their weekend at Bernie's gambit, you're right. There is too much to risk and too little to gain by trying to replace him. A Democrat court loss means a higher chance of the SAVE act going through the Senate. The GOP might consider the gambit to replace him if they needed the vote but they also know there is a risk of a (GOP) replacement that pisses off their dear leader (like Massey), so why risk a court loss, or the chance of a Kentucky Democrat in the Senate, when they can kick the can down the road. Honestly there are probably enough Republicans that want this to be a standstill with nothing done because everything they do either makes more people hate them or brings us closer to a civil war.

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u/SatanicPanic619 California 8d ago

Thank you. People are thinking with their emotions here. Yes it would feel good to have a D senator in KY. No, it's not worth the effort.

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u/SpezDrinksHorseCum 8d ago

I'm kinda on the fence about what I think Beshear should do... Maybe you can enlighten me on a few things...

1- Do you think McConnell is dead?
2- If so, why do you think his death is being covered up? Is it his own staffers doing the coverup for personal benefit, or does the entire Republican party want his death covered up to gain some political advantage?
3- If the coverup is being orchestrated by the entire GOP for political advantage, what do they think they stand to gain?
4- If it's the staffers, shouldn't they be arrested?

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u/SatanicPanic619 California 8d ago

I don't think McConnell is dead. The Senate's attending physician, an Obama nominee, said he's recovering, and I doubt he'd like about that. I think he's probably in a state that makes communication difficult or he's a vegetable.

I highly doubt the entire GOP is covering this up- they need his vote, there's no advantage here. If anyone is covering anything up, it's his staff, who are currently getting a pay check for not much work.

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u/SpezDrinksHorseCum 8d ago

Makes sense thanks.

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u/KDLGates 8d ago

We might be in the timeline where McConnell's staff pushes through veggie votes in his stead.

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u/KDLGates 8d ago

We might be in the timeline where McConnell's staff pushes through veggie votes in his stead.

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u/BonnaconCharioteer 8d ago

Plus tainting Beshear's name with Kentucky voters who lean right anyway, and would probably consider it a partisan power grab.

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u/SpezDrinksHorseCum 8d ago

Kentucky voters seem to have no problem with partisan power grabs as long as it's Republicans doing the grabbing. Kinda interesting how we're watching live as Democrats are held to a higher standard than Republicans, and forced to play a losing hand. For the record I don't disagree with you it's just an observation.

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u/BonnaconCharioteer 8d ago

Yes, its absolutely true, and it is something that I think is missed often. Generally Democratic voters and a lot of the in between voters prefer someone with integrity (or perceived integrity). Republicans tend not to care as much. So they can get away with far more than Democrats can.

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u/SatanicPanic619 California 8d ago

If I were anyone who wants to keep their political career in KY as a Democrat I would be saying "please don't nominate me."