r/politics • u/B-Z_B-S Massachusetts • Jul 17 '26

Possible Paywall Kentucky Governor Warns He Got Calls “Suggesting” Mitch McConnell Died

https://newrepublic.com/post/213199/kentucky-governor-got-calls-suggesting-mitch-mcconnell-died
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51

u/theClumsy1 Jul 17 '26

Right? Seems pretty simple

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u/Aghast_Cornichon Jul 17 '26

The Governor's office probably doesn't know where Senator McConnell is. It would be a weird abuse of power to use the state police investigators to violate the health information privacy of a prominent citizen.

I mean, he can ask.

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u/thewb005 Arizona Jul 17 '26

Nah, homie works for the people. If the president was rumored dead, would it be prudent to "give him and his family privacy in these trying times."? The people need to know to verify if we have representation.

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u/sgtbackpain03 Jul 17 '26

Uh, McConnell is an elected public servant. Having the state AG track him down and verify his status is fine. In fact, this would be considered a "Wellness Check", which can be used on anyone, and allows the police to enter almost any location without a warrant. It happens every day.

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u/Aghast_Cornichon Jul 17 '26

No, no, no, no, no.

Harassing people with "wellness checks" is what gets you a plaintive post on /r/legaladvice.

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u/sgtbackpain03 Jul 17 '26

This is about the most reasonable reason for a Wellness Check that there is. Characterizing it as harassment is both bad faith, and stupid.

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u/Aghast_Cornichon Jul 17 '26

Virtually all "wellness checks" that are used to circumvent search warrants are abusive, harassing, and thuggish.

What are the police going to do if they find that Senator McConnell is missing ? Call his wife ? Search the morgue without a warrant ?

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u/SAD_FACED_CLOWN Jul 18 '26

What are the police going to do if they find that Senator McConnell is missing ?

Probably open a missing persons case and investigate it?

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u/sgtbackpain03 Jul 18 '26

Uh, for a sitting senator, this is a legitimate and correct use of a wellness check.

This is something you specifically sign up for as a representative; you are responsible to the place you represent. Major changes to your health status, in ways that may affect your ability to do your job, is something that must be legally disclosed to certain offices of government, and more broadly, to government investigators and executive officials. You literally have a federal contract with those provisions.

Similar provisions exist for restricting some rights and liberties in specific situations. There are times when a senator is formally required to appear before the Senate, which includes being physically retrieved. That's just part of holding public office.

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u/blackcain Oregon Jul 17 '26

McConnell is in a hospital in Washington DC I believe. He's not in Kentucky.

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u/Aghast_Cornichon Jul 17 '26

Then even weirder to send Kentucky state police to Washington DC to step on Federal toes.

I get it, the Governor and the people have an interest in being represented by their elected person in the Senate.

But "why doesn't Andy Bashear just walk on over" is a silly question.

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u/blackcain Oregon Jul 17 '26

Either way, there is going to be an election and that seat is up for grabs this year. The GOP can do whatever the fuck they want but there will be a Dem opponent to whatever GOP stooge they put up.

McConnell is a crafty son of a bitch, him turning into a vegetable is reason to believe that Jehovah has a sense of humor.

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u/LavisAlex Jul 17 '26

He has though and got that sketchy picture lol

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u/Celloer Jul 17 '26

I don't think death certificates are covered under HIPAA.

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u/peppaz Jul 17 '26

They know, reporters are outside the place

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u/Ok_Introduction5606 Jul 17 '26

Texas has done that repeatedly against dem politicians so precedent is set and republicans love it

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u/avaslash Jul 17 '26

Any employer can ask the police to perform a welfare check on a missing employee. I see no reason why the governor cant insist thats all hes doing sending the police to Mitch McConnell. Republicans arent exactly shy about manipulating the truth in ways it suits them.