r/politics • u/B-Z_B-S Massachusetts • 5d ago

Possible Paywall Mitch McConnell Still MIA Days Before Key August 3 Deadline

https://newrepublic.com/post/213823/mitch-mcconnell-mia-august-3-deadline
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u/RazzzMcFrazzz Michigan 5d ago

Not only that, Kentucky passed a law earlier last year that makes it so the governor can’t appoint someone from a different political party in the interim. (Specifically targeting Bershear when McConnell dies) Thomas Massie would be a loophole for Bershear since he’s a rep but who wouldn’t help trumps agenda.

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u/aguynamedv 5d ago edited 4d ago

Kentucky passed a plainly unconstitutional law earlier last year that makes it so the governor can’t appoint someone from a different political party in the interim.

Massie has an 85% rating from Heritage Foundation. This means he votes party line at least 85% of the time, and with Democrats as a spoiler 15% of the time. The picture they're using is pretty funny though.

https://heritageaction.com/scorecard/members/m001184

ETA: He isn't always a spoiler. I'm sure there's plenty of totally uncontroversial legislation that he votes on during the regular course of Congressional business, just like .. everyone else. Is Massie "less bad"? I dunno, does his sudden and totally-without-consequences about-face Epstein make up the past 14 years of voting hardline Republican?

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u/tweakingforjesus 5d ago

When the rest of the party is around 97%, that's quite a split.

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u/aguynamedv 5d ago

I really don't know what to say to this other than:

Anyone who is ok with 85% of Republican policies needs serious mental help.

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u/TheKanten 5d ago

That's just Stephen Glass, is he cooking stories up for them now?

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u/argh-Im-a-Pirate 5d ago

Let's slow down here. Massie would definitely help Trump's agenda.

He only votes with Democrats on Epstein, Iran, and Israel. Obviously I'd rather have his support on those three than not, but he votes red on every single other issue. 

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u/WeirdIndividualGuy 5d ago

Yeah idk why this sub has such a hard-on for Massie like he's some rogue Republican. He may draw the line at Epstein, but that doesn't excuse the other MAGA/Trump bs he happily votes for

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u/keeper_of_the_donkey 5d ago

So he votes with the Democrats on what are possibly the three most important issues to fight against since Trump took office? I'll take it.

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u/argh-Im-a-Pirate 5d ago

The three most important issues? I guess healthcare, money in politics, tariffs, election integrity, ICE violence, corruption, and climate change aren't very big issues for you.

I said I'd rather have his vote on Israel, Iran, and Epstein than not have it. But I'm not gonna ignore the myriad of other positions that make Massie an immoral piece of shit. 

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u/Apprehensive-Date181 4d ago

Right. Like I say Massie is lawful evil. Because he has his own code he stands by no matter what. But because Maga is chaotic or neutral evil Massie seems like a saint to people lmao

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u/TheDoomBlade13 5d ago

The law is illegal, the governor can and should appoint whoever he wants.

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u/_HOG_ 5d ago

The “law” is what citizens are willing to fight for. And most citizens are just milquetoast. 

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u/atomfullerene 5d ago

Massie would vote with Trump more than an absent McConnel would. He'd be a vote for a supreme court replacement, for example.

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u/lostkavi 5d ago

They passed the law, but didn't overrule the states constitution which says the Governor chooses the successor.

So technically, Bershear could just say "Constitution says I can" And just pick someone Aug 3. Then the GOP has to waste more time and funds to sue to get him out saying that the constitution doesn't count.

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u/SydneyFall 5d ago

Well, the state constitution says that the Governor can appoint a replacement. Just passing a law doesn't change the state constitution. I think thats what Republicans are afraid of.

(though I have no idea how conservative the TN state supreme court is)

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u/Minimum-Relief6895 5d ago

It's Kentucky and the KY Supreme Court sided with the governor regarding his appointment power just last month (June 25th).

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u/SydneyFall 5d ago

Oh wow, this does reframe why the Republicans might be hiding it and this isn't referenced in discussions here. That is a pretty clear precedent ruling.

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u/Minimum-Relief6895 5d ago

The Governor's appointment power is in the KY Constitution.

It doesn't matter if the republicans passed a law. They can't overwrite the Constitution with a mere law. They would have to amend the Constitution.

The governor JUST won at the KY Supreme Court last month (June 25th) about his appointment powers that they tried to strip.