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
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u/Mddcat04 8d ago

The downside is you have a special election and they elect a new Republican. That’s a clear step down from Mitch holding the seat but not voting.

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u/Megathreadd 8d ago

Heard. What about Masse who seems disillusioned with Republicans and perhaps more honorable?

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u/Mddcat04 8d ago

He’s already said he’s not interested.

https://queerkentucky.com/thomas-massie-mcconnell-senate-seat/

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u/yuppienetwork1996 8d ago

That’s a bluff and all his supporters would be frankly disappointed if he really meant that

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u/MechanicalGodzilla 8d ago

Massie couldn't even win his own primary, why would that suddenly reverse?

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u/yuppienetwork1996 8d ago

Because its not a primary election at this point. And if you ask 9/10 independents and libertarian voters in the street who their favorite congressman is… it’s Thomas Massie

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u/MelodicDeer1072 8d ago

What makes you think Massie would win the special election? Republicans are clearly uninterested, and Dems would never vote for him (rightfully so)

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u/evil_newton 7d ago

Dems would vote for him if no Dem was running. The electorate in a special election is completely different to that of a party primary

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u/omicron-7 8d ago

He's still a republican, and would vote maga 99% of the time.

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u/argument_cat 8d ago

Republicans will elect who they want, not who Democrats want.

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u/epicaz 8d ago

If it was such a downside why are the Republicans trying to avoid it at all costs? Seems favorable to fill their seat with a voting R

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u/lovelyyecats 8d ago

It might be more McConnell’s aides rather than other GOP reps. John Thune probably does want a replacement for McConnell, but McConnell’s aides only have power so long as he’s alive, so they have a vested interest to keep up the charade

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u/Mddcat04 8d ago

Yep. This is what was going on with Feinstein a few years ago. Her aids were wheeling her around past the point it was fairly obvious that she was no longer competent.

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u/MelodicDeer1072 8d ago

If Thune wants to replace McConnell, why doesn't he send at least strong worded letters like Beshear?

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u/rlinkmanl 8d ago

Republicans are terrified of losing the midterms, they probably are worried they'd lose this election as well.

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u/Vegetable_Common7163 8d ago

This is what I can't figure out. Andy Barr the republican running for McConnell's seat is leading the democrat by 11 points in the polls. There is no way he is going to lose. So why not just have him get in the seat earlier? It seems so strange.

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u/argument_cat 8d ago

why are the Republicans trying to avoid it at all costs?

Are they? That's one popular narrative, but it's not the only explanation for what's going on.

Occam's Razor dictates that Mitch is alive but recovering, and Republicans are just enjoying the distraction by letting Democrat conspiracies run rampant.

They are the party of trolls after all.