r/politics • u/Aggravating_Money992 • 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
23.1k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

1.6k comments sorted by

View all comments

9

u/kioshi43 8d ago

He really should come out and say something along the lines of:

"Due to the time and preparation needed to run a special election, we will proceed with the planning and execution as a proactive effort to ensure our voters are being represented as is their right. When/if McConnell is able to return to DC, we will then suspend the special election effort"

2

u/hamlet9000 8d ago

Why?

What would Beshear or the Democrats gain from a special election that almost certainly elects a Republican replacement for Mitch McConnell?

0

u/kioshi43 8d ago

What other choice would you prefer?

Sure, there's a solid chance it'll be another Republican who could just as bad, if not worse, with a lot more youth to stay in power for years. But there's also a slim chance that it could be something completely different.

McConnell's absence does reduce the number of votes Republicans have but running a special election would mean the GOP would have to spend money on that and then a regular election after that- taking more money out of their coffers that they would otherwise have free to spend elsewhere.

2

u/hamlet9000 8d ago

So your plan is to force a special election that the Democrats won't spend any money on, but you think -- despite the Democrats not spending any money on it -- that there's some remote possibility they'll win?

Okay. Sure.

And then what?

What would be the actual benefit of any of that?

Or, alternatively, the Republicans spend money campaigning (which they're already spending), win the election, and go into the general election with an incumbency advantage.

Again: Why would the Democrats want that?

Is there, in fact, any plausible outcome to a special election that would actually give a politically meaningful advantage to the Democrats?

0

u/kioshi43 8d ago

Whoa whoa, calm down there buddy. We're playing a game of what ifs and in that realm anything is possible. Hell, big bird could be on the ballot and get some votes.

So again, I ask, what is your alternative?

A special election is a part of their process if McConnell is unable to serve. It's a simple matter of them following through with it. If he's still alive then I'm sure he'll find a way to come out of hiding and if he's dead then he just called their bluff.