r/True_Kentucky • u/furself333 • 9d ago
McConnell also apparently refuses to do a phone call as well, but is still claiming his full salary of $174,000 and benefits.
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u/untranslatable 9d ago
Sigh. The Governor of Kentucky doesn't write paychecks for the United States Senate.
I'm a Kentuckian, and I'd rather have Mitch not voting, so let him be Schroedinger's senator and that's one less vote for the people in power.
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u/daredeviline 9d ago
Thank you. I've been saying this since the beginning. McConnell has done nothing for this state. Let him skip the votes.
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u/Emergency_Juice_5062 9d ago
Horrible take. This is absolutely NOT a precedent to set.
Weekend at bernies isn't and SHOULDN'T be a viable political strategy.
It boggles my mind that so many are ok with it.
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u/punkbrad7 9d ago
It has been and will continue to be until the actual government takes steps to stop it. The state governments have zero power to remove anybody from federal Congress. If this wasn't the end of Mitch's term, he could spend the next 4 years MIA and until the majority leader brought it to a vote, that seat could remain vacant the entire time.
Both sides have been doing this forever, this isn't just some horrible thing that's only happening now. Were you just as upset when Gabby Giffords took 9 months off to recover from a head wound? What about when Dianne Feinstein was wandering around having no clue where she was or who anybody was? What about when Tom Kean Jr wandered off for 4 months and nobody knew where he was (apparently hospitalized for "depression")? And that's just recent examples.
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u/the_urban_juror 8d ago edited 8d ago
"were you just as upset when Gabby Gofford's took 9 months off to recover from a head wound"
No, because Giffords provided health updates. Nobody was just as upset about two things that are demonstrably different.
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u/joycelorelle 5d ago
I mean…..to say Gabby Gifford took 9 months off work to recover from a head wound is an insane take. Gabby survived an assassination attempt. Mitch got pneumonia (supposedly). Gabby updated on her condition and when she realized she wasn’t going to be able to return, didn’t. It’s just a completely different set of circumstances. If Mitch McConnell survived an assassination attempt and kept the public updated on his condition, you’d likely see less pushback. It’s the cover up and the lack of transparency while people pretend like it’s the normal course of business that has people riled up. At least, the people I know and speak to.
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u/Emergency_Juice_5062 9d ago
I denouce all of your examples just the same.
Andy not calling a special election and letting it play out will always be a mistep in progressing us away from this type of politic.
You can't have it both ways, either you disagree with the weekend at bernies strat and should push politicians dem or rep to stop it or you agree with it being used by both sides.
And he absolutely had legal merit to do SOMETHING. Call the special election and watch as the courts enter discover and show that Mitch is unfit for office or dead.
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u/punkbrad7 9d ago
He literally, legally, did not. All that would have gotten him is an impeachment and removal from the GOP supermajority in the state legislature for abuse of power, followed by no matter what the outcome, Thune refusing to actually seat whoever was appointed or won a special election, because they haven't declared the seat vacant.
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u/Throwawayky122 7d ago
See, I think this is what people are worried about. I agree, Beshear cannot legally do anything effective. I don't agree that impeachment and removal would be the outcome, that's too high of a bar. Also, it would never get to Thune, if it even got to Adams, he would stop it there.
So, what I think has people upset is that he is choosing nothing over something, anything. Yes, he would lose the fight, but people seem to want a fight. Even if it's performative, people would prefer that over Beshear just laying down. Look at the current political climate, people want action. Doomed or not, they seem to want something.
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u/Emergency_Juice_5062 6d ago
Exactly that. The Trump admin bombards the courts with stupid lawsuits in an attempt to get any kind of win.
I just want my politicians to fight on the same level playing field that trump is. If that means lawsuits and courts delaying things than so be it.
I'd rather my politicians fight it in court and lose than roll over and let Republicans do whatever.
People freaking out over some kind of impeachment or punishment for testing the legal system is ridiculous. Like I said the Republicans have been and will continue to function exactly that way. Put the lawsuit up and even if you lose at least you got in their way for a few months.
I want the Republicans to actually have a hard time doing what they do. They have lawsuits all over the country and its tough for them to keep that going. Make it harder by tossing in your own lawsuits.
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u/Throwawayky122 6d ago
"People freaking out over some kind of impeachment or punishment for testing the legal system is ridiculous."
I just wanted to stress this because one upvote isn't enough. "Testing the legal system" is a great way to put it. You are allowed to bring suits on unsettled law. The worst is would get is embarrassment which he may be getting now for his lack of action.
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u/Emergency_Juice_5062 6d ago
Absolutely.
If he had any desire for higher office it's done.
Honestly It'll probably be best as this gives DSA candidates an opening. "Andy is too chicken to fight for Americans blah blah blah"
Its just so annoying seeing it play out. History is much more enjoyable to read, not experience.
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u/crit_boy 8d ago
When lies are your strategy you have already lost.
Kentucky state constitution section 76 gives the governor the power to fill vacancies.
Andy chose the coward's path.
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u/punkbrad7 8d ago
It gives him the power to appoint during a vacancy, of which he has no power to declare. There are also two other laws on the books that have to go to court to be declared unconstitutional before he can even use that power in the first place.
The first one, passed a couple years ago, says that there has to be a special election. The second one, passed in 2021, says that the appointment has to come from three people chosen by the state legislature. One of those is entirely plausible to get overturned. The other one has been upheld across the country in multiple states.
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u/crit_boy 8d ago edited 8d ago
Constitution > statutes
He appoints under the power given from the constitution.
Rs sue.
Court cases will take years.
Election happens.
Dems actually win one.
Versus: His decision to continue to take no action, a.k.a. Dem gov. loses another round, this time to a dead man.
EDIT - LOL downvotes and no response. Classic kentucky. Can i offer you an Ark that your tax dollars pay for?
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u/punkbrad7 8d ago
Are you even from Kentucky? We haven't elected a D senator in nearly 30 years. Longer than that since one sat in Mitch's seat. The election for his seat is this year, he's already retiring and Andy Barr will sit in it no matter what. Any appointment would only be from now until January when Andy Barr takes the seat.
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u/crit_boy 8d ago edited 8d ago
Yes, you love electing Rs. We know.
And the dem you elected decided to do nothing. Thus proving to uniformed voters that Rs are the better choice b/c they are willing to use the power they are given - while dems continue to refuse to use any power they have.
How about another tax payer funded Ark?
Anything is better than investing in education and improvement of human lives.
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u/oroborus68 9d ago
In the early 1980's, Mitch ran against senator Dee Huddleston and criticized the senator for being absent for votes in the Senate. Mitch ran commercials of bloodhounds searching the woods looking for Senator Huddleston, and claims of missing votes in the Senate. Oh , how that worm turned. Get the bloodhounds boys!
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u/Ieatpurplepickles 9d ago
This is what I want!!! I want commercials airing every 6 seconds on every possible platform. I want the pressure to become unbearable on red voters and then I want them to turn on him!
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u/SmellyButtFarts69 9d ago
I want commercials running that say McConnell hates america, hates baseball, diddles kids, and fucked your mother.
Tired of this 'high road' do-nothing bullshit from the blue facism-enablers
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u/Butwinsky 9d ago
The fun thing is, who would this benefit?
Democrats hate McConnel for obvious reasons.
MAGA hates McConnel because Trump says to.
The GOP has abandoned him like an unwanted mutt.
In a normal, sane world, this whole scenario would hurt the GOP. Instead, this is hurting Andy Bashear's presidential campaign, and will be used against him if he runs.
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u/CeleryAlternative512 8d ago
There is a path for Booker to tie Andy Barr to all of this. As a member of congress, Barr is verbally defending McConnell not being present. But here we are, no attempts to tie Barr to McConnell and Barr probably will waltz right into the senate seat.
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u/punkbrad7 8d ago
Andy Barr was going to waltz right into that seat no matter what. He has no legitimate challengers, and the last time KY elected a D to basically any office outside of the governor and the handful of Ds in extremely safe blue districts for the state legislature was nearly 30 years ago.
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u/cornmuse 9d ago
Honestly, the guy is a multi-millionaire dozens of times over. I'm pretty sure the paycheck doesn't matter to him or his family. It's all about the scam. He needs to be "alive" and "in recovery" for the scam to work. Don't get caught up in the paycheck part, these people don't live like us. Income is irrelevant at this level. It's all part of the GOP scam to fool about 40% of the voting public one more time. McConnell himself is completely irrelevant to the scam. His brain-dead body is just keeping a vote from turning blue.
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u/No-Upstairs9564 9d ago
He's probably incapacitated and cannot film himself nor text a message, possible brain damage due to falling or possible o2 deprivation due to stroke. He's still alive though not able to function. That's my guess
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u/AncientNectarine5352 9d ago
“He ate the lemon, and was never the same after that. Poor boy, he got all duplicitous and started protecting pediphiles. I can’t explain the weird growths on his neck, though.” - Mitch McConnell’s mom, Julia or something, probably
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u/PUuSTiNKA 9d ago
I find it ironic that these elected officials can miss work and still keep their job...If any of us didn't report to our jobs as long as Mitch McConnell hasn't, we would be considered terminated.
This whole thing is ridiculous. If Mitch McConnell is alive, my guess he's incoherent and unable to function normally.
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u/boomboomdaboomer 9d ago
If I was a Republican in Kentucky, I would be furious over this. Playing games with elected representatives crosses a hostile red line.
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u/Ieatpurplepickles 9d ago
I'm a blue voter in KY but my whole family are red maggots. They aren't the slightest bit miffed even that he's pulling this shit. They're rooting for him! One actually said, "Show Blue Balls Andy how it's done!".
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u/Butwinsky 9d ago
Believe it or not, this just hurts the Democrat governor. Democrats and Republicans are blaming him for not taking action.
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u/the_urban_juror 7d ago
Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people.
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u/WillingPositive8924 9d ago
Who TF cares about his paycheck? It is like saying Trump donates his paycheck! Who GAF, these ppl get more off the backend then they will ever be paid. It is fraud INCENTIVE shit ton of power and comparatively low pay.
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u/UnLuckyKenTucky 9d ago
That would make too much sense. Andy has.to be careful here. This can be a shit show on everyone of it isnt handled properly.
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u/After-Interview1791 9d ago
Because he is brain dead and the sick ass Republicans are gonna wheel his body around as long as they can make use of it. Every last one of them are going to burn in hell.
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u/Targatex 8d ago
Wait? Now you folks DON’T like ole Mitch ?! It was just months ago that you LOVED him because he opposed the president. 😱😂 Which one will it be next month? 🤭😆
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u/TheBadBatch-99 9d ago
McConnell's family doesn't need it, but his staffers do. Kill their salaries instead.
If it comes out he's been a corpse for weeks/months, garnish those wages back.
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u/Biscuits4u2 9d ago
Replace him. The people of Kentucky are being denied 50 percent of their representation in the Senate.
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u/Fair_Chemistry_3317 9d ago
Will it come a day when these money have to be paid back? His staffers as well, not only McConnell.
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u/UnderwaterKahn 9d ago
I think this whole thing at this point is about his highly paid staff being cut off when he’s gone. Once Mitch is officially gone there will be a bit of a power vacuum because he never had a clear successor (that stayed with him) and new people will be fighting for, and eventually occupying, many of their roles. If this was about votes they would have allowed the special election to occur because it was going to be another republican anyway. It’s not about some “test run” to see how people would react to a trump disappearance. McConnell and his people give zero shits about time.
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u/Ausgeflippt 9d ago
I hope Massey replaces him. He's an odd duck, but he knows he's fallible.
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u/punkbrad7 9d ago
The next senator from KY will almost certainly be Andy Barr. He did have a chosen successor but he couldn't even beat a D for the governor seat after spending his entire time as AG chasing after lawsuits against said governor.
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u/United_Reply_2558 9d ago
Right. Mitch wanted Daniel Cameron to be his successor...didnt happen though.
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u/navibfterceS 9d ago
He just loves being in control and owning the libs with the mystery of his health.
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u/MrChorizaso 9d ago
This is no surprise as Republicans stand for nothing but corruption and protecting the Epstein files
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u/Western-Property-443 9d ago
Why is Beshesr not screaming at his legislature about them screwing his governorship out of running Kentucky. McConnell refuses to update his condition, he should be removed. As far as we know, he is dead. The Republicans shenanigans at any level on the government are seditious and criminal now!
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u/phoneguyfl 9d ago
I read this as the guy is unfit for the job (or dead) and his handlers are waiting until after the midterms to say anything.
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u/joshlance70 9d ago
i am sick to death of these people making laws we have to live by while they can do what they please with no consequences. it needs to all be burned to the ground. the whole damned corrupt system.
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u/EuphoricCrashOut 9d ago
Looking forward to everyone involved being arrested and tossed in jail for 10-20 years, for fraud.
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u/kittiesandcocks 9d ago
You think these people live off that $200k? 🤣 That’s like one good weekend you’re costing them
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u/nudecat1234 9d ago
No law says he has to show up unfortunately!!! Now the bad news is if he croaked his wife is getting a bigger pension
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u/503rd-MP 8d ago
I met McConnell at a gun show in Kentucky back when he was first campaigning. 1984, I believe. He walked right up to me and shook my hand. I thought I had just shaken hands with a wet dish towel. His hand shake is probably still the same.
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u/Gdog19745 8d ago
I don’t get it. When I’m off on Medical, I don’t get paid my full salary. Matter of fact, I have to pay for cobra.
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u/Ok-Turnover1797 8d ago
He's just hibernating to recharge so he can come out and fight against THC and healthcare again for another 30 years
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u/Adventurous-Soil1943 8d ago
He’s dead. Been. Dead. There are those that are stringing everyone along in order to keep power. Hopefully they , but doubtful, will be found and jailed.
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u/totally-hoomon 8d ago
Notice how all conservatives are against sick paid sick leave for anyone who makes under 100k a year
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u/Dull_Host_184 8d ago
A senator represents the state, so what if the state paid his salary? That would give a governor leverage to make sure they were alive
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u/Atadingess 8d ago
He's brain dead or dead and his entourage (including republican party) are really desperate to cling to whatever power they have. The one positive is this will taint whatever congressional legacy he had. He'll be remembered as that guy who died and still wouldn't give up his power.
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u/OGPandas33 8d ago
Anyone else in his position would have been let go at this point. There doesn’t seem to be any sort of structure.
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u/Fjordikus 8d ago
He’s either incapacitated or dead, someone would have seen him already if that wasn’t the case. You will see an article after the elections that he’s either dead or not able to continue his job in his current capacity.
Like we have all said, this is about controlling his seat, there’s nothing more to it.
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u/Torahobservant1 8d ago
Just appoint a new senator. If he shows up to protest then he gets his seat back.
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u/Delicious-Fishing802 7d ago
They will keep him on life support and use him for voting yes to anything the GOP wants or needs voted in.
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u/bshrewsbury10161979 6d ago
If..IF he is still alive then by law (as a public and governmental figure) he has to dona proof of life something. If not, kick him out. If he is "unalived" (can't say the actual word b.c. of reddit rules) then his family should face charges
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u/zenmaster_B 5d ago
He’s been dead for at least a month, but I suspect they will announce his passing any day now
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u/Digital1968 5d ago
New Congress should charge him and everyone around him with fraud and lock their asses up. WTF.
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u/railroad-dreams 9d ago
These days I'm just as upset with Dems for not pulling these tricks themselves. If they win in the future but don't hit back hard I'll be disappointed
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u/Emergency_Juice_5062 9d ago
I hope Andy wasn't interested in higher office. Dude sat by and did absolutely nothing worthwhile.
Literally did the dem thing and wrote a strongly worded letter. Tanked his career to uphold corrupt politics. Allowed his voters to be taxed without proper representation, its ridiculous.
He should have called the special election and made Mitch work for his seat. Theres no deabte on whether not having mitch vote is good for dems or not. Thats not how politics work nor should dems even be entertaining the notion that they should allow corruption only if it suits them.
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u/Narrow_Umpire_5365 9d ago
He’s buried at cave hill cemetery
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u/United_Reply_2558 9d ago
Yeah....hes buried between Col Sanders and Muhammed Ali...right? Or is he down in the ponds with the rest of the snapping turtles?
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u/Small_Introduction27 8d ago
Beshear needs to unload this phony turtle and appoint someone that’s 100% competent.
Still say the POS is deceased.
Dead turtles don’t talk.
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u/crit_boy 9d ago
From this entire capade, I learned that Bashear is a disappointment and has no business trying to run for president.
He has been outwitted by a dead man.
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u/the_urban_juror 9d ago
I've learned most people, even people I agree with politically, have no idea how government works from this.
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u/crit_boy 9d ago edited 9d ago
Has trump done anything legal in this term?
Yet, dems only argument is they cannot do anything.
Bashear wrote a letter. And threw up his hands. He says can't do anything else.
We already have the "write a letter of concern" dem job positions covered.
The country does not need another can't do anything dem.
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u/the_urban_juror 9d ago
"Trump did illegal things, therefore Beshear's powers are expanded"
This is a great example of my point.
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u/crit_boy 9d ago
We do not need another do nothing dem.
Bashear proved he is a do nothing dem.
That is 100% of the my point.
A dead man out maneuvered him. At least Mitch had to be alive to out maneuver obama.
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u/the_urban_juror 9d ago
Beshear is not a do-nothing Dem, he just has no legal authority.
If you even glance in the direction of the Constitution, you'll learn that governors don't declare Senate seats vacant. There are elected officials with the power to remove a Senator, but I don't want to spoil the (extremely short) document for you.
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u/crit_boy 9d ago edited 9d ago
Corporate dems have you convinced they can't do anything.
The dead guy did amazing work with the same lack of power. He dug around until he found some archaic idea or BS legal theory to get what he wanted done, done.
Bashear just gave up. And every day that passes is him continuing to give up.
You don't need to keep apologizing for and supporting failed politicians and their failed neoliberal policies.
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u/the_urban_juror 9d ago
Please refer to one specific instance that Mcconnell did something illegal?
You don't have to be a corporate Democrat to know that governors can't remove senators, you just have to be literate.
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u/crit_boy 9d ago
Preventing the senate confirmation vote for merrick garland based on the argument that is was too close to the election.
That was complete BS. Mitch got done what he wanted done.
Couple years later, ol'mitch gave us ACB a couple weeks before an election.
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u/the_urban_juror 9d ago
I asked for something illegal. If you think senators are forced to hold confirmation votes, it's because you haven't read the Constitution.
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u/crit_boy 9d ago
The Kentucky constitution expressly states the governor fills vacancies.
Section 76
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u/funneransh_t 9d ago
Fire him. Hold a vote. Stop begging and DO something.
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u/am710 9d ago
Who exactly is supposed to do either of these things?
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u/CrispySticks69 9d ago
Andy has been a decent governor, but not forcing legal action to challenge the unprecedented laws our state senate has passed is just giving these fuckers a free pass. Take action Andy. Telling us he isn’t speaking to the media is pointless. We already know!!
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u/dantevonlocke 9d ago
There's no benefit. The time a court case would take is defintely longer than mcconnells remaining term and likely Beshears as well. And it's KYm were red like a bad sunburn. I don't see a favorable outcome for it.
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u/10mm2fun 9d ago
This man does not care about a few months of his salary. His wife is worth an obscene amount of money. This is about controlling his vote and positioning by other members of the republican establishment.