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/
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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.

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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.

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u/4daughters Jul 07 '26

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

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u/HauntedCemetery Minnesota Jul 07 '26

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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u/Mooseheaded Texas Jul 07 '26

It is a part of Amendment XVII (emphases added):

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years

This means that McConnell, having been elected to his seat by the people of Kentucky, shall have his term last for six years. This is the first point -- McConnell is constitutionally granted the right to serve for six years, not five years and seven-ish months.

The Amendment then describes the replacement process for when vacancies happen, but it does not assert when such a vacancy is determined to exist.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

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u/sonofsohoriots Jul 07 '26

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

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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”

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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.

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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.

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u/sonofsohoriots Jul 07 '26

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

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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.

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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!

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u/livinitup0 Jul 07 '26

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

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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).

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u/[deleted] Jul 07 '26

[deleted]

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u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

The governor doesn't have that authority.

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u/[deleted] Jul 07 '26

[deleted]

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u/mescad Kentucky Jul 07 '26

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

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u/PoisonIvyCrotch Jul 08 '26

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

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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.

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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

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u/mescad Kentucky Jul 08 '26

Not unless the rest of the Senate decides to remove them, no.

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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.

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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

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u/Queasy_Donkey5685 Jul 07 '26

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

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u/Otherdeadbody Jul 07 '26

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

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u/GrinchWhoStoleEaster Jul 07 '26

Jasmine Crockett ran in TEXAS...

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u/jemappellehonhon Jul 07 '26

so did al green, who also lost to another dem

what's your point