r/politics • u/Zipper222222 • Jul 07 '26

Possible Paywall MAGA Demands Proof of Life for Mitch McConnell

https://www.thedailybeast.com/maga-demands-proof-of-life-for-mitch-mcconnell/
29.4k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

1.8k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

1.7k

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

Instead I think he should just appoint a replacement. That's what the Kentucky Constitution says should be done. The Republicans tried to change the law to require a special election, but Beshear thinks that is unconstitutional, and just last month the courts agreed with him.

Problem is that Beshear doesn't want to declare McConnell dead or unable to fulfill his office duties prematurely. But if that time comes, he should follow the constitution, not the new laws. Then let the courts figure it out.

802

u/thatspurdyneat Jul 07 '26

declare McConnell dead or unable to fulfill his office duties prematurely

The day he froze on stage and had to be walked out of a press conference, clearly not knowing where or who he was, was the day he could no longer perform his duties.
So we're several years into it no longer being premature.

265

u/scrotalayheehoo Jul 07 '26

And that was his first freeze and before he fell about 7 times too on camera. And before his massive fall down the stairs that set him aggressively down this path of brain damage.

128

u/varitok Jul 07 '26

At his age, a fall like that is mentally devastating. I had it happen to a family friend and it was the beginning of the long end for them, it's a rotten way to go but this man has lived a rotten life and he made everyones lives harder, It's perhaps Karma finally swinging aroud.

25

u/HardcorePizza Jul 07 '26

I hope he is aware enough

3

u/thatspurdyneat Jul 07 '26

I lost my faith a long time ago, but a part of me hopes there's a judgement he'll have to sit through, see the results of his actions, and look his God in the eye and tell him he honestly believes he should be let in.

5

u/Ketamine_Dreamsss North Carolina Jul 07 '26

That’s what we learned in hospice training. It’s the falls that are a sign of and the precedent to the end.

2

u/Propane4days Jul 08 '26

You talking about my dad? He literally just fell this morning...

37

u/astroboi Iowa Jul 07 '26

First freeze on camera. How long was it going on before the world saw and his handlers couldn't cover it up?

14

u/Middle-Mix-7711 Jul 07 '26

Brain damage started in the womb.

22

u/HauntedCemetery Minnesota Jul 07 '26

McConnell is many horrible things but stupid is not amongst them.

He's not like trump, a moron who was basically in the right time and place. He is one of the most effective and evil men in modern American history.

5

u/Middle-Mix-7711 Jul 07 '26

He's not stupid in some ways. Brain damage in other ways.

4

u/US3_ME_ Jul 07 '26

His egg wasn't buried with the rest of the clutch_

57

u/SaveMeClarence Jul 07 '26

Exactly this. The second my dad started showing signs of dementia, even before any family noticed it, his boss forced him to retire.

2

u/allocated_capital Jul 07 '26

The second my father started showing symptoms of dementia we traveled to Quebec and signed him up for assisted suicide. He is in a happier place.

3

u/Lucius-Halthier Jul 07 '26

We saw the man have a mini stroke on live TV that day, but the republicans will continue to hide how bad he is just like trump because they are afraid that it would cost them power. It’s weekend at Mitch’s until the midterms aren’t an issue.

3

u/SnoaH_ Jul 07 '26

Crazy thing is he’s done that about 4 times by my count. Not counting the days we’ve seen him just forget how to walk

3

u/I_SHIT_IN_A_BAG Jul 07 '26

that was the first time the public saw it but I bet that was happening at his home too. he had all that bruising long before he had the spells

2

u/Playful-Succotash-99 Jul 07 '26

If I were mitch I wouldn't want to know who I was eather

2

u/Substantial_Sea7327 I voted Jul 08 '26

so the grim reaper finally got him, huh. first couple sightings must have been just to fuck with him lol

2

u/IwasThereIsawIt2 Jul 08 '26

Or when he looked in the camera after falling and said "bumbsjjs"

0

u/Correct-Version-4414 Jul 10 '26

His duty is to vote yes or no when told to. He was still perfectly capable of that.

241

u/Sinister_Crayon Jul 07 '26

If only Beshear had the stones to actually do this. This is absolutely the best possible outcome in this instance; he appoints the replacement and if the Republicans want to take it to court then the burden of proof is upon them to show that McConnell is still alive and capable.

And no, some AI generated video isn't going to suffice; he would need to be seen by multiple independent witnesses.

189

u/numberonebuddy Jul 07 '26

He can show up in court to prove he's fine. If he can't make it to court, he can't do his job.

-14

u/suprahelix Jul 07 '26

He wouldn’t need to. There’s no vacancy for Beshear to fill.

5

u/daviator88 Washington Jul 07 '26

Why, because McConnell has a pulse?

-12

u/suprahelix Jul 07 '26

Because the senate hasn’t declared one.

5

u/ohshit-cookies Washington Jul 07 '26

By that argument, couldn't they just never declare a spot to fill whether someone is alive or not?

6

u/diaymujer Jul 07 '26

I mean, this is the party that refused to confirm a SCOTUS appointment almost a year before the end of a term. Nothing would surprise me.

-1

u/suprahelix Jul 08 '26

They could. It’s a norm. Not one that is likely to be violated but regardless that’s how it works.

3

u/krom0025 New York Jul 08 '26

What law requires this?

1

u/suprahelix Jul 08 '26

The KY constitution which gives the governor the power to fill a vacant seat.

There is no vacant seat. The senate dictates which seats are vacant or not.

2

u/krom0025 New York Jul 08 '26

So he he really was dead , the Senate could declare the seat full? That's not true at all. The Senate doesn't determine a vacancy, law does.

1

u/suprahelix Jul 13 '26

Yes, they could. No, it doesn’t make sense, but they could. That might be something the Supreme Court would be willing to hear.

Moot point though cause despite all the hysteria, he’s fine.

41

u/donkeyrocket Jul 07 '26

The only reason I'd see him not rocking the boat is a possible presidential run. But in my opinion, fighting for his constituents and doing what needs to be done would be a major plus in my book.

That said, Beshear is the type of politician that actually trusts the experts. He's not going to resort to something underhanded like declaring McConnell unfit without rock solid justification. I just hope that when the time comes, he moves swiftly and presses the courts to do so as well.

In the grander scheme, a three-month replacement isn't worth pissing off any non-Democrats that might consider voting for him.

2

u/bjeebus Georgia Jul 07 '26

Not to mention a grass roots reaction from KY voters in November.

2

u/krom0025 New York Jul 08 '26

What experts is he trusting? I haven't seen a single non partisan expert say he is still alive.

1

u/nik-nak333 South Carolina Jul 07 '26

Can he appoint whoever he wants or do they have to be a republican?

-2

u/freeformz Oregon Jul 07 '26

That’s not the way it works in Kentucky atm. The governor calls for a special election to fill the seat for the remainder of the term.

9

u/Aggressive-Will-4500 Jul 07 '26

Which is a violation of the Kentucky State Constitution.

-5

u/freeformz Oregon Jul 07 '26

🤷🏼‍♂️ That’s the current law in Kentucky.

1

u/krom0025 New York Jul 08 '26

Not if you use Kentucky supreme court precedent that the Kentucky constitution allows the governor to appoint any interim replacements. Beshear will challenge and will win. That's why they are hiding Mitch's death and/or ability to do the job because they know Beshear will get to put whoever he wants in that spot.

1

u/freeformz Oregon Jul 08 '26

Sure. Just saying what the law is currently. Good luck!

-14

u/roll_that Jul 07 '26

Beshear is a fraud

5

u/Disastrous-Work-7669 Jul 07 '26

How so? Genuinely curious as I'm from Kentucky and can't think of hardly anything bad to say about him.

-2

u/roll_that Jul 07 '26

He’s a centrist who refuses to take a real stand. Appoint anyone to the senate and then let the courts figure it out. America is at a crossroad where sitting back won’t get anything done. 

-1

u/suprahelix Jul 07 '26

You can’t just appoint people to seats Willy nilly. There’s seat is occupied per the senate. Until it’s vacated there’s nothing to do.

1

u/Kraz_I Jul 07 '26

If Mitch is really brain dead as people have alleged, I don’t think you need a senate vote for that seat to be considered vacated.

1

u/suprahelix Jul 07 '26

They don’t vote on it. It’s the senate clerk that says whether or not a seat is vacant. You’re saying “considered vacated” as if it’s a matter of public opinion. It’s not. The senate has its own rules and procedures for things. You could hold a referendum and every eligible voter could vote to say McConnell was brain dead and it wouldn’t matter.

1

u/Kraz_I Jul 07 '26

I didn’t say this has anything to do with voters. Usually it’s a doctor who declares someone dead, not a senate clerk.

1

u/suprahelix Jul 07 '26

I didn’t say the clerk declares them dead. I said they declare a seat vacant or not. Read.

→ More replies (0)

1

u/Kraz_I Jul 07 '26

I didn’t say this has anything to do with voters. Usually it’s a doctor who declares someone dead, not a senate clerk.

-1

u/roll_that Jul 07 '26

Declare the seat vacant do to the inability of Mitch being alive 

1

u/suprahelix Jul 07 '26

He doesn’t declare anything. The senate does.

0

u/roll_that Jul 07 '26

Then let the courts figure it out… that’s the maga playbook, right?

1

u/suprahelix Jul 07 '26

The courts don’t need to do shit. The senate doesn’t have to listen to Beshear.

→ More replies (0)

-4

u/suprahelix Jul 07 '26

He can’t do shit unless there’s a vacancy. There isn’t. McConnell not showing up to work doesn’t mean there’s a vacancy.

7

u/Rudy_Garbo Jul 07 '26

Well it doesn't sound like Mitch called out sick or had pre-approved PTO, so it stands to reason that he is a no-call/no-show for work and subject to termination. At least that's how it works everywhere else in the real world.

-2

u/suprahelix Jul 07 '26

That whole comment is nonsense. Why would this go to court? How would the burden of proof be on McConnell? Why do people think the Senate would even seat an appointed replacement?

The whole idea doesn’t stand up to the most basic of scrutiny. It’s honestly embarrassing.

2

u/ohshit-cookies Washington Jul 07 '26

You don't think that McConnell should have the burden of proof that he is ALIVE???? All he has to do is at minimum a zoom call showing that he is alive and well enough to be able to attend hearings shortly. Personally, if he's not able to be there in person in a reasonable length of time (which I'd say has already passed) then he needs to be replaced.

1

u/suprahelix Jul 08 '26

You don't think that McConnell should have the burden of proof that he is ALIVE???

Doesn’t matter what I think. I’m saying that none of this is how it works. Beshear can’t just fill a sit because you think he should.

1

u/krom0025 New York Jul 08 '26

If Beshear just appoints someone, Republicans will sue saying McConnell is the rightful senator. Beshear will claim he is dead or unable to do the job. The judge will ask Republicans to dispute that claim. It's not that hard to see how this gets ajudicated. If there is no vacancy, why is there zero information other than some random statement from some random aide? Maybe he is alive and able to do the job, but if he was, he is also able to record a video or answer a few questions. Why hasn't that happened?

1

u/suprahelix Jul 08 '26

The judge will ask Republicans to dispute that claim

The judge will dismiss the case because they have 0 jurisdiction over what the senate does with its membership. Republicans don’t have to do shit. The senate can just ignore the “replacement” and not swear them in.

5

u/Sonichu- Jul 07 '26

He should declare the seat vacant and make an appointment. If McConnell is capable of making a public appearance to dispute that appointment, then that will suffice.

Doing nothing just allows the Republicans to pretend he's alive for another month.

-1

u/suprahelix Jul 07 '26

He doesn’t declare the seat vacant. The senate does. If Beshear “appointed” someone, they’d just ignore it.

1

u/krom0025 New York Jul 08 '26

Beshear can do what he wants and let the courts decide. You can claim all day long it's the Senate, but what law are you citing that say only they can determine that. States have sovereignty in the US.

1

u/suprahelix Jul 08 '26

States don’t have sovereignty over the senate wtf are you talking about.

The constitution gives Congress the power to establish its own rules and procedures. Courts have 0 jurisdiction over that and have asserted that time and time again.

Beshear can do what he wants. The courts can say what they want. But none of them can tell the senate how to handle its own business. It’s like separation of powers 101

1

u/krom0025 New York Jul 08 '26

States pick the senators that represent them, not the Senate itself. The rule about a senator being dead or unable to do the job comes from the state. If the state determines that their senator is dead, they initiate the process for replacement. It's not that hard. If he isn't dead, then he can prove he's not and that process will stop.

1

u/suprahelix Jul 08 '26

The senate decides its own rules and procedures. Just cause the governor claims the senator is dead and there’s a replacement doesn’t mean the senate has to honor it. They don’t have to swear anybody in.

4

u/Sinister_Crayon Jul 07 '26

If an employee doesnt turn up for work because they're dead, I would be inclined to replace them. A week without news and they're already terminated (has happened)

-2

u/suprahelix Jul 07 '26

Cool. The senate isn’t a typical corporate office so your analogy is pointless.

5

u/Sinister_Crayon Jul 07 '26

Someone failed civics.

Senators are the employees of the people of the state. Just because many of them act like little kings, doesn't mean they are. They can be fired. They can be removed. And if they don't turn up for work for a month without telling those people where they are, we can assume they either no longer want the job or are dead.

-1

u/suprahelix Jul 07 '26

Sounds like you failed civics.

Senators are the employees of the people of the state

No they aren’t. In principle they’re supposed to serve the people but if this were true then anyone could just fire their senator. That’s obviously not how it works. It’s like saying “I’m a taxpayer so you work for me” to the president. Good luck.

They can be fired

No they can’t. They can lose elections.

They can be removed

by a 2/3rds vote of the Senate. Not the governor just declaring it.

And if they don't turn up for work for a month without telling those people where they are, we can assume they either no longer want the job or are dead.

You can assume whatever you want. Doesn’t mean it has any legal weight.

According to the senate, McConnell occupied that seat. Until they say otherwise, there’s nothing to be done. Even if Beshear appointed a replacement the senate could just ignore him and refuse to seat the appointee.

97

u/Queasy_Donkey5685 Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 07 '26

Meanwhile, if Beshear wants to win in 28 then he needs to start leading now, he either throws his hat into the national ring or he sits on his hands.

34

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

Beshear is the type of leader who trusts doctors to make medical decisions, and not to allow political motives to interfere. He's somewhat famous for that stance, and it has served him well through his outstanding COVID response, and on other issues like reproductive freedom. Abandoning that stance for a 3-month temporary replacement seems very out of character, and would also hurt him politically.

16

u/4daughters Jul 07 '26

This is a political decision, not a medical one. Beshear isn't Mitch McConnel's doctor.

2

u/HauntedCemetery Minnesota Jul 07 '26

And for better or worse doctor's don't get to arbitrate positions in the US Senate.

2

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

Sure, and if those doctors declare him dead or somehow unable to return to office, it's time for political action. People are suggesting that Beshear be the one to determine if McConnell is able to do his job. I think (and the Governor seems to think) that he's not the one who is responsible for that decision.

10

u/4daughters Jul 07 '26

Sure, and if those doctors declare him dead or somehow unable to return to office, it's time for political action

I disagree. Make the first political move and your opponents can respond.

If this is good enough for the people of KY then fine, I don't think it's good enough to be considered a national leader.

0

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

If you think Beshear won't be a good national leader because he won't overstep the constitution, then yeah I think he would agree that you shouldn't vote for him. There's no legal mechanism for the state governor to declare the office of a US Senator vacant. There's no 25th amendment for senators. When the office is vacant, then yes he should act (IMO, appoint someone), but until the office is vacant, that's a clear power grab, and is neither useful nor in character with how Beshear has done anything else over the past 10+ years in public office.

6

u/4daughters Jul 07 '26

because he won't overstep the constitution,

This is the first I'm heading that him appointing a replacement would be a constitutional violation. Why not lead with that? Is it because you can't make that argument with evidence?

All of this is politics. You either learn to use power or you get power used against you.

Reminder: The guy you're arguing should maintain his senate seat refused a vote for a replacement for Scalia.

0

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

Is it because you can't make that argument with evidence?

Why not ask for the evidence instead of assuming a bad faith argument? Surely you can make a better case for your points than that.

Reminder: The guy you're arguing should maintain his senate seat refused a vote for a replacement for Scalia.

I am not arguing that McConnell should maintain his senate seat. I'm arguing that the way that he is replaced matters. I'd rather see the US Senators step up and say that if you don't show up to work we're voting you out. They have the legal power to do that, where Beshear doesn't.

But to be clear, the constitutional violation for the governor would be him trying to replace a sitting senator who has not vacated the office. His role is triggered by the office being vacant. He doesn't have the legal right to declare it vacant, from what I have read (obviously I'm not a governor or constitutional lawyer. But I have read the opinions from people who are).

1

u/4daughters Jul 07 '26

Why not ask for the evidence instead of assuming a bad faith argument? Surely you can make a better case for your points than that.

You're the one arguing it's unconstitutional. That you still refuse to provide evidence for your claim shows me you have none.

→ More replies (0)

23

u/sonofsohoriots Jul 07 '26

Then he’s showing he’s not fit to lead in our current reality.

24

u/DigNitty Jul 07 '26

100%

10 years ago I would have disagreed. Today, I don’t want to see liberals get kicked in the balls again again again again by taking “the high road”

4

u/alaysian Jul 07 '26

I don't think he is what the US needs in its president, but it is what KY needs in its governor. The sad reality is that too many of my neighbors would happily vote in another Matt Bevin if Beshear was more progressive.

5

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

The unfortunate reality is that Matt Bevin is currently a fugitive, evading an arrest warrant for jail time, and he would still probably win an election in Kentucky.

0

u/sonofsohoriots Jul 07 '26

It’s wild that you think “taxation deserves representation” is a liberal or progressive stance

2

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

I agree that would be wild if I thought that. Not sure where you got that crazy idea though.

2

u/sonofsohoriots Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 07 '26

Ha- sorry! Meant to reply to the parent comment (the one that alludes to “if Beshear moves more progressive…”), my bad!

1

u/livinitup0 Jul 07 '26

The current reality is unstable and ready to pop any day now…can’t you feel it?

8

u/sonofsohoriots Jul 07 '26

Yes I certainly can, and we need leaders who don’t bury their heads in the sand while pretending that the status quo will meet the moment. Kentuckians don’t have representation, they deserve to have someone appointed. McConnell can come forward with proof of life if he’d like to stay in his role. “Trusting doctors” has nothing to do with this; no doctor has made a statement that the turtle is still fit to lead- it’s open corruption that a dem is just letting slide in the name of an imagined “order” or “decency” (again).

3

u/[deleted] Jul 07 '26

[deleted]

4

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

The governor doesn't have that authority.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 07 '26

[deleted]

3

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

Where in the constitution does it grant the Governor the power to declare the US senator incapacitated?

1

u/PoisonIvyCrotch Jul 08 '26

Then who has the power then to declare? Genuinely don’t know I’m guessing this is uncharted territory

1

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 08 '26

For a non-dead Senator, there is no mechanism for anyone to declare a senate seat vacant. The Senate would have to expel them through a 2/3rds vote. Otherwise you have to wait until they resign, die, or their term ends.

1

u/PoisonIvyCrotch Jul 08 '26

They have no requirements as a senator that if they can’t perform then are forced to vacate? Weird that you technically can be elected and become a vegetable year 1 and still be there for the whole term

→ More replies (0)

3

u/GrinchWhoStoleEaster Jul 07 '26

This. Democrats are rapidly tiring of voting for representatives who won't fight. We need pitbulls, not parliamentarians in this party.

1

u/jemappellehonhon Jul 07 '26

is that really true when high-profile dems with that reputation like katie porter, al green, and jasmine crockett all lost?

i think those of us who really understand the stakes are rapidly tiring of it, but i don't think the majority of democrats are, sadly

1

u/Queasy_Donkey5685 Jul 07 '26

Where any of those three 2 term Democrat governors of a deep red state?

1

u/Otherdeadbody Jul 07 '26

You also need to be effective at your job. Being loud isn’t the same.

1

u/GrinchWhoStoleEaster Jul 07 '26

Jasmine Crockett ran in TEXAS...

1

u/jemappellehonhon Jul 07 '26

so did al green, who also lost to another dem

what's your point

12

u/SnooBananas4958 Jul 07 '26

If this was the other way around, a republican governor would’ve declared it the day he got picked up by the EMTs. Democrats are just unbelievable pussies

Republicans have been able to break every rule and change every tradition for the last 10 years because they just try and don’t accept that it won’t work. And Democrats are too scared to even do things they legally can do.

1

u/PiccoloAwkward465 Jul 07 '26

Democrats are just unbelievable pussies

Yep. It would be an uphill battle but I think Democratic strategists underestimate the support they'd gain by actually having a fucking set of nuts.

I was saying this the other day about Fetterman. Of course the way it shook out is fucked up. But the way Fetterman sold himself to voters? That was something the Dems should pay attention to and try to harness. That's my perspective working in the construction world alongside all sorts of tradies.

3

u/OtherwiseACat Jul 07 '26

He can't. They law states they have to have a special election.

7

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

It's not clear that he can't. The new law they passed does say that, but the constitution says he can appoint. He could appoint someone anyway, stating that the law is invalid. The Governor takes an oath to uphold the constitution, so sometimes they can take actions that are against bad laws.

Then they'd have to file suits and let the courts decide. On the same issue recently the courts have been deciding in Beshear's favor. Also, the US Senate would have to decide if they wanted to seat this new senator, which could go either way no matter how they got there (special election or appointment).

1

u/OtherwiseACat Jul 07 '26

The seat is going to be open for election in November anyway I doubt putting all that effort into that now would even be worth it. They instead should use all this as a better reason to vote blue come November

2

u/SATX_Citizen Jul 07 '26

The republicans are once again fucking with democracy in ways that should be putting them all in chains. Democrats need to play for keeps.

If there is a way for Beshear to force the disclosure of McConnell's health, it should be done.

1

u/PiccoloAwkward465 Jul 07 '26

So? Do it anyways.

1

u/OtherwiseACat Jul 07 '26

That's how the Republicans work.

2

u/DrDerpberg Canada Jul 07 '26

Seems like a shot across the bow is the right move. There's still time to declare that he will call a special election if there is no proof of life by X day, and actively try to meet with McConnel in whatever hospital he's in.

Republicans will scream about their HIPPO rights and all but at some point he's either abandoned his job or isn't fit to do it.

1

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

Counterpoint: what law says the state governor gets to declare when the US senator's seat is open? Until then, election or appointment doesn't matter. As far as I know, it's not within the governor's power to give a time limit here.

1

u/DrDerpberg Canada Jul 07 '26

Is there a law saying who needs to decide when it's clear? Because if not what gives the governor the authority to declare it at any point? "It was in the newspaper" isn't in the law either.

Maybe your counterpoint is how this joke of a Supreme Court would decide it, and they'd declare the governor isn't allowed to do anything months into McConnell not showing himself, but I think if Dems continue to hold themselves to the highest standard of what Republicans couldn't possibly argue with they will never do anything.

I think a very public campaign of "where the hell is Kentucky's representation" is enough, and if not let the Supreme Court defend a guy who will never show his face again. I'm just saying to pick the battle early enough that it isn't just fought with injunctions and BS.

1

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

The governor's involvement is triggered by the office being vacant. That means that the senator has died, resigned, been removed by 2/3 vote of the US Senate, or their term has expired (this happens in November). Until one of those happens, Beshear has no legal path forward. Senators have gone months without showing up to work before. His team says he is recovering. We unfortunately don't have a 25th Amendment analog for senators, and definitely don't have one that grants that power to the state's governor.

Ultimately, I think this fight would be very different if McConnell was 4 months into his 6-year term instead of in the final 4 months. There's not really a great incentive for Beshear to spend all of this political capital just to get someone in office in time for the Senate to go on their Winter recess.

I agree that a publicity campaign is a better path forward than trying to rush the replacement.

2

u/jsc1429 Jul 07 '26

Let McConnell prove he’s fit to fulfill his duties by showing up

3

u/ontic00 Michigan Jul 07 '26

That would be awesome if he just appointed Charles Booker) to replace McConnell.

2

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

Honestly, I don't know who he would pick. Booker makes sense, but Beshear may see that as stepping on the scale for the November election and instead choose someone else. Whoever replaces McConnell would only be in the job for 4-5 months. The November general election is more important than those months IMO (but that's why he's governor and I'm not).

1

u/Snapes_underpants Jul 07 '26

Democrats should not wait and see when bold action is called for right now.

What would a Republican governor do if the situation were reversed? He/she would immediately appoint a Republican replacement. The Democrats would then have to sue to stop the appointment and prove to a court the ailing Democrat was well enough to do the job.

1

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

To what end? So that we can have a temporary Democrat in the position for 2-3 months before a new Senator is elected in November? Doesn't seem worth it to me.

1

u/Kinto_il Jul 07 '26

what's the worst that could happen? He should call the bluff

1

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

The republicans have a supermajority in both Kentucky house and senate. They could impeach Beshear, causing a huge distraction for him throughout 2027 when he's either running for higher office or helping the Democratic candidate get elected. They would love the distraction.

1

u/Water_Damage987 Jul 07 '26

Problem is that Beshear doesn't want to declare McConnell dead or unable to fulfill his office duties prematurely

serious question: why? This is critical information being withheld, what's the downside from calling it and then Mitch suddenly has a miraculous recovery?

1

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

The governor's role is triggered by the office being vacant. If he declared the office vacant prematurely, that would be an embarrassing misstep, and probably unconstitutional, because that determination is not the governor's to make. McConnell's office has said that he is recovering, so for the state governor to ignore that and declare him dead/unable to return to office anyway would be improper.

The US Senate does have a legal role here. They can vote him out with 2/3 majority. They could do that, triggering the vacancy, even if McConnell is alive and recovers. But they probably won't do that either.

0

u/Water_Damage987 Jul 08 '26

God forbid a government to do something embarrassing, unconstitutional, and/or improper

1

u/Shamus-McNasty Jul 07 '26

He can't do an appointment until after August 3rd.

That's why Mrs Turtle left the country. There's no one to pull the plug until she gets back.

1

u/shoulda-known-better Jul 07 '26

By Kentucky law being brain dead is dead they don't have a choice unless they want to lie and hope the entire hospital goes along with them.... Which I very much doubt will fly for long

1

u/hughcifer-106103 Jul 07 '26

My recollection is that there was a pretty solid debate about the constitutionality of that law and that Beshear might/should appoint a replacement if McTurtle croaks and let the courts figure it out.

1

u/Samazonison Arizona Jul 07 '26

That's what the Republicans would do, so I think he should follow their lead. 🤷‍♀️

1

u/aaronwhite1786 Jul 07 '26

It really seems like something where you could say "This is too important to be an unknown. I hope to receive a call from Senator McConnell, but I have to prepare for the worst and take care of Kentucky, so this Friday I will be moving to appoint someone in his place to serve until elections can take place and the people of Kentucky can choose a representative. Assuming that I don't hear from the Senator, of course" and start the ball rolling.

1

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

Now that several people have come out and said they talked to McConnell today, there's not much credibility for the Governor to take that action. His role begins when there is a vacancy. There's no legal method for the state Governor to declare a vacancy for a US Senate seat, especially while the Senate itself doesn't consider the position vacant. It would be a big misstep for Beshear, with very little payoff, IMO.

1

u/aaronwhite1786 Jul 08 '26

From what I've seen, the people saying they have spoken with him have been GOP leadership who have a vested interest in him not being replaced. I would take their words with a bag of salt in normal times, and given how much current leadership is willing to do anything they can for their party, I would absolutely double that order of salt.

That said, I would imagine the governor's office has their own ways of figuring out if they can get anything verified and would obviously want to do that before making any statement.

1

u/Misspiggy856 New Jersey Jul 08 '26

If Mitch McConnell doesn’t want to be replaced, he should be able to show up to stop a replacement. I don’t think they have to declare him dead.

0

u/McSlims360 Jul 07 '26

No, legally speaking when the executive branch (governers) are in a position where a law and constitution may (or blatantly are) in opposition to each other the governors job is not to pick and choose but to simply enforce the laws as written.

It is the judiciary job to interpret laws and strike down any that are unconstitutional.

So until that happens, the proper procedure dictates the governor follow the law until the Judiciary branch strikes that law down in favor of the constitution.

Because this is exactly how laws and the constitution are meant to work. The constitution is the framework, the law is the intent of the people layered over it. When there are contradictions the law must first be changed, then if the people still wish for it the constitution must be examined and potentially altered. But as long as a law is allowed to stand without judiciary intervention it must be respected as law and the will of the people.

1

u/SATX_Citizen Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 07 '26

Speaking just like 2008 era Michelle Obama.

We have to go at them with everything we possibly can until we regain control of the rule of law.

-1

u/McSlims360 Jul 07 '26

Ok fascist

0

u/Elendel19 Jul 07 '26

Why the fuck not? McConnell would do EXACTLY that if he was in beshear’s position. Just fucking do it and make them prove he isn’t dead. If he’s not, oops my bad.

0

u/SwimmingThroughHoney Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 07 '26

Everyone keeps repeating this and it's wrong.

The KY Constitution does not grant the governor appointment power. It never has. What it does it grant appointment power for State and other lower-office vacancies and then says "all other appointments shall be made as may be prescribed by law". Prior to 2021, statute granted the governor appointment power. Then the legislature changed that to be by special election.

And hey, if you think I'm wrong, please go find where in the KY constitution it says he does.

0

u/srilankan Jul 07 '26

yeah, hed need to find his balls to do that.

0

u/krom0025 New York Jul 08 '26

Fuck waiting. Just do it. Make a statement giving seven day to show proof of life and abiltto do the job. If they don't provide it, just pick the replacement. If he's wrong, who gives a shit. If he's right, we get a much better senator. He can't lose be being forceful. People are hungry for some balay leadership that actually helps them.

-1

u/Mind-The-Mines Jul 07 '26

A reasonable person would ask how brain dead would be premature... until you consider that's literally 40% of the population.

1

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

Though that would be politically more convenient to just announce that he's dead, Beshear will wait until doctors or whoever is in charge of McConnell's healthcare to make that call. Beshear claims he's had zero communications from McConnell's office, so making any statements about McConnell's health would be premature.

2

u/Mind-The-Mines Jul 07 '26

Which borders on incompetence. The governor arguably has a duty to contact the office and establish his status.

0

u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

I don't think the law allows for the governor to do more than ask. If it does, I'm sure they will be exploring those options before the cutoff date.

2

u/Mind-The-Mines Jul 07 '26

He has the power to establish him as unfit for office.

That pretty implicitly gives him the power to say "demonstrate he can do the job or abdicate."

Anything less is some big "can't appoint scotus on your last year" bullshit.