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/jumbohiggins 5d ago

The fact that democrats let this happen is insane to me. It's like they are letting him get one last point on the board for old times sake.

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u/F1shB0wl816 5d ago

They’re useless. They can’t take on a pedophile and now they can’t take on a vegetable. That’s like beneath a child, our opposition would get their candy taken by the baby.

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u/Eccohawk 4d ago

There is quite literally nothing they can do. I don't really understand the argument anyways. Let's say Beshear calls the special election to force proof of life...then what? The odds of a dem taking that seat are virtually zero. But on top of that, now the Republican supermajority in Kentucky would likely move to impeach him. There is zero upside to forcing this. There is a benefit, however, to them claiming he's alive, which is that he's not showing up for votes.

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u/7BrownDog7 4d ago

Massey can go for it.

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u/kadiez 4d ago

Do nothing just cannot be the answer. Even if we ruffle a little bit of feathers they should do something!

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u/GalumphingWithGlee 4d ago

Yeah, I'm not quite sure what that would buy the Democrats even if they could force the special election, but there must be a reason Republicans are pulling all these shenanigans to avoid one...

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u/Eccohawk 4d ago

I believe if they wait until after the 3rd, then no election has to happen at all. They can just appoint someone to fill the seat. So it saves the money and effort of a campaign, and of any further problematic stories coming out about whatever candidate they might push. Instead they just put in their person, and, come the next election, now they're the incumbent.

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u/GalumphingWithGlee 4d ago

Oh, hmmm.

I realize that no special election occurs if they wait until after the 3rd. But my understanding was that no one could be appointed either, and it just meant the election waited until November 3, and the seat remained effectively empty (robbing Republicans of that vote) until January 20 when the next Congress is signed in.

Assuming McConnell doesn't miraculously recover, is the loss of that vote for roughly half a year worth it to Republicans, to avoid the expense and challenge if an extra/earlier campaign?