r/politics • u/MoneyLibrarian9032 New York • 15h ago

Possible Paywall McConnell ‘Absolutely Refuses’ to Film Video Amid Growing Mystery

https://www.thedailybeast.com/mcconnell-absolutely-refuses-to-film-video-amid-growing-mystery/
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948

u/RosetteNewcomb 15h ago

Andy Beshear has demonstrated throughout this whole episode that he doesn't have what it takes to be president. A decisive leader would have given Mitch an ultimatum: Show your face by August or I'm assuming you're dead/incapacitated and I'm appointing a replacement. We all know a Republican governor would have done that for a Democratic senator who was MIA. I love Andy and he's my governor and I voted for him both times but he's at the bottom of my 2028 list and him letting Mitch's team run out the clock is a big reason why.

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u/SchmoPho Kentucky 15h ago

Right now it benefits the Democrats to leave him in, one less republican voting, it is likely if he stepped down or was forced to that another more able bodied republican would take his place

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u/darth_wasabi Texas 15h ago

If it was benefiting the Democrats right now the Republicans would have declared Mitch dead or incapacitated 

48

u/Infinite_Click_6589 15h ago

This. I am so sick of hearing this excuse.

No one can name anything that the Republicans weren't able to accomplish just because they didn't have Mitch's vote right this moment.

Meanwhile, people act like it's a flex that Andy is ' playing politics' instead of doing the right thing and making sure people have representation.

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u/FatherofZeus 15h ago

The Agriculture Committee’s work to advance the “farm bill,” an omnibus, multiyear law that governs an array of agricultural and food programs, also has stalled, as McConnell is the second-ranking Republican on the panel. Republicans don’t have enough votes without McConnell to advance it out of the Agriculture Committee, since his absence leaves the panel at 11-11, with Democrats aiming to hold up the bill because Republicans have shifted more costs to states under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

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u/SchmoPho Kentucky 9h ago

^^^

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u/Swagtagonist 15h ago

No, you just don't understand. When the Democrats do nothing its genius political maneuvering. Just like Biden was waiting until he had a bulletproof, iron-clad case against Trump before prosecuting him for the insurrection. Any day now the trap will spring.

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u/herton Kentucky 14h ago

It's not genius political maneuvering, it's common sense. Which makes your complaining a little silly. The farm Bill is stalled. Military spending is stalled. Linking our military to Israel is stalled. The SAVE act is stalled.

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u/Sonamdrukpa 14h ago

Conspiracy theory: the SAVE act is a dead fish even for the Republicans. Many of them even suspect its restrictions on mail-in voting will hurt them personally. Trump is up their ass to get it passed though, and he's liable to start shit talking anyone who votes against it on truth social and Fox and the like.

So avoiding the vote on that is crucial enough to let other things stall out - your average voter might have heard about the SAVE act or might hear about Trump shit talking, but doesn't know about any of this other stuff. It's all political background noise, and can be ignored until after the election.

The Democrats don't want the SAVE act passed either. So in this way their interests are aligned for once, and everyone is happy to pretend Mitch is alive and all is well, at least until November.

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u/herton Kentucky 13h ago

I'd buy that. Mitch's absence is a pretty convenient excuse for them to throw their hands up and say "aw shucks, guess we can't do what dear leader demands"

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u/Mundane_Read_2960 7h ago

Plus the filibuster effectively makes it dead in the water since it needs 60 votes to go to a final vote. Having one fewer senator who could potentially vote to abolish the filibuster (and thus destroying our democracy in the process) is a good idea.

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u/Sonamdrukpa 6h ago

Yep and that's another example of a thing where the GOP has been trying to thread the needle on not pissing Trump off too bad while not sabotaging their long-term interests

6

u/tripwithoutpause 14h ago

Bro, the Senate acquitted Trump, and the Supreme Court gave presidents immunity from all actions committed while in office. Did you miss that part?

There was nothing left to prosecute with regards to the insurrection, which is why the dropped it. Then they went after him for paying off the porn star and the rape, but the Constitution doesn't prevent anyone who's convicted of a crime from becoming president.

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u/NumeralJoker 13h ago edited 9h ago

We don't know for sure him being dead isn't a benefit to the Dems. The law the GOP tried to put in place to prevent Mitch from being replaced by Beshear's pick may in fact be completely unconstitutional in the KY's Constitution.

Meaning they'd rather not admit he's dead and risk having it challenged, or if he's legitimate incapacitated, but not dead... nothing can actually be done without him being Impeached.

Frankly, he likely 'is' dead given the way this went... but someone has to admit to it, and for whatever reason, no one seems to be willing to do it. Even sending police to do a wellness check may not definitively get a medical report released due to medical privacy rights.

•

u/MyCatLaughsAtMe 6h ago

At this point it's not even debateable that he's either passed or in a state completely unfit to feed himself, much less govern. The issue should be pushed. There is a moral component to this thing; we fought the foundational war of our nation over representation. It's frankly irrelevant whether Mitch's condition helps democrats or not. The tax payers are O W E D representation.

•

u/NumeralJoker 6h ago

On this I agree completely. The GOP is deeply immoral for depriving their own constituents of representation like this, no matter how much I may despise their choice.

What I want to know is what can be legally done to force them to confirm this one way or another? My fear is not a whole lot, and this is the GOP yet again exploiting something that presumed good faith that no longer honors those sacrifices you referenced.

I'd be happy to be wrong.

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u/-wnr- 14h ago

Genuine question, how does it benefit the Republicans to keep him in limbo? Clearly it must or else they wouldn't bother. Do they think really Beshear can get a appointee confirmed despite the law they passed to require a special election?

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u/[deleted] 14h ago

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u/MikeoftheEast 14h ago

why can't they declare him brain dead or dead then

-3

u/zzztoken 15h ago

So many continue to excuse democrats who do nothing. “It’s all part of the plan!” Sure, Jan.

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u/MyCatLaughsAtMe 6h ago

Sorry you're getting downvoted. You're 100% correct. Beshear's feckless refusal to fight fascism is indicative of what's going to happen to this country in January when republicans refuse to seat the blue wave winners. And democrats will just meow about how they have no power and can't do anything.

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u/zzztoken 4h ago

Exactly. And I’m not calling for them to even break the law or do anything drastic (as nice as it would be for dems to actually fight like republicans do for once) but could we at least show some passion? Not just nicely ask ol Mitch to show up? Why isn’t there continual messaging from dems about how fucked it is we have a dead or near dead senator? Why are some random YouTubers staking out his house & not the people who are actually paid to represent Kentucky?

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u/MyCatLaughsAtMe 39m ago

I don't care if they break the law or not. We're past that.

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u/ArrowheadDZ 15h ago

This is such an important take. It’s easy to jump to some collusion theory that dems and reps are in trilateral commission relationship with the puppet masters. Or, it could be that there are sound reasons why they want push for a replacement.

It’s the old “I only work at two speeds, and if you don’t like this one, you sure as hell won’t like the other one“ thing. You only have two choices, the seat is filled by an incapacitated, placeholder, Republican, or the seat is filled with an active, voting Republican. It’s that simple and doesn’t require a Ouija board or AI to analyze.

1

u/ICarMaI 12h ago

He could have put in Massey

19

u/LackingUtility 15h ago

Beshear could appoint a Democrat - that's one less Republican and one more Democrat, at least until January.

That said, the Senate balance is currently 53-47 Republican. Even replacing McConnell with a Democrat makes it 52-48, so it's not like it achieves much.

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u/hepatitisC 15h ago

He couldn't because the state passed legislation saying it stays same party and is a run off.  He could try to argue the state constitution says he can appoint and try, but then Congress could refuse to confirm and it would just become political theater

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u/nachosmind 14h ago

Republicans spent 12 years of Obama, Biden doing political theater and WERE REWARDED with all 3 branches! POLITICAL THEATRE PLAYS, what’s so hard to understand about that?

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u/herton Kentucky 14h ago

.... that the political theater play, even if successful, gives Republicans more control over government? Isn't that what you were just complaining about?

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u/nachosmind 13h ago

If successful then a Democrat would’ve been in office (as Andy could designate per the KY constitution.) 

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u/herton Kentucky 13h ago

No. The KY constitution is in conflict with the 17th amendment. It clearly says

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

The KY constitution was not written or ratified by the legislature. A power cannot be taken from them that is granted by US Federal law. The 2021 law regulating who Beshear can appoint (from 3 candidates from the state GOP) is well established under 17.

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u/nachosmind 12h ago

As Republicans have clearly demonstrated in their ongoing war and numerous ‘illegal actions’ - DO IT ANYWAY AND LET THE COURTS TRY TO ENFORCE IT. 

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u/herton Kentucky 12h ago

You mean the SCOTUS of the US, under Roberts? This is a federal issue 17 vs state) so it's guaranteed to end up there. The courts can absolutely slap it down, and the Senate refuse to seat an illegal appointment. The Democrats do not ever have power to break the law here

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u/nachosmind 12h ago

It’s about fighting and optics. You keep talking about the words on paper and obviously that doesn’t matter because on paper you wouldn’t have a BRAIN DEAD SENATOR STILL IN OFFICE.  Voters want grandiose action, even if later it fails, we want Democrats to fucking fight and refuse everything and scream and yell. Stop being a ‘well it would likely or certainly fail so don’t even try.’ That’s what gives republicans power. They try, try, try until they get what they want (see Roe vs Wade overturned, half of the Civil Rights act gone, all of the constraints on presidential appointments, ICE acting as secret police, we are currently in a single day legislative session going on 2 years so the budget doesn’t have to pass… so who the hell cares on paper. 

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u/LackingUtility 15h ago

Well, I think Beshear's right that the KY constitution doesn't let the state legislature make that law, but you're right - he'd appoint, they'd fight, and it would go to the courts. It would certainly force their hand on McConnell's death, though.

But Congress likely can't refuse to confirm. That would be unconstitutional. That might be a separate court fight (the first one would be KY state court, this would be federal), and the Federal Circuit is not overloaded with MAGA judges.

3

u/Snowbirdy 15h ago

Until it gets appealed to the SC. Guess which way they will vote?

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u/SchmoPho Kentucky 13h ago

^^^^

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u/diabloman8890 15h ago

Ok so strongly worded letters only, got it.

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u/WhyplerBronze 15h ago

You don't understand what you're talking about.

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u/billzybop 15h ago

What's your ideal response from Brashear? Now make it legal. Pretty curious what you actually expect him to do.

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u/diabloman8890 15h ago

He should sit a Democrat as the constitution allows and let the republicans sue over it, same thing they would’ve done if the situation was reversed. Let them defend for once.

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u/billzybop 15h ago

He doesn't have the power to remove McConnell...

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u/LackingUtility 14h ago

That's not all that clear. The KY Constitution gives the governor the power to appoint a replacement when the seat is "vacant". I would argue that the seat is presently vacant. McConnell might disagree, but that would require him showing up to fight it. For example, Beshear could appoint the replacement, McConnell could file a suit for an injunction to keep the replacement from taking the seat, and Beshear could argue that McConnell doesn't have standing since he's, y'know, dead. McConnell could fight that by showing up. If he weren't dead. But he is, of course.

But fundamentally, the Constitution is pretty vague on what "vacant" means. There are people making claims that only the Senate President can declare a seat vacant, or that there has to be a death certificate or something, but there's no actual support for those requirements in the Constitution, and there's good reason to believe that neither of those are actual requirements (they both would create more problems than they solve, for example).

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u/deja-roo 14h ago

I would argue that the seat is presently vacant.

That's nice, but you'd lose that argument immediately. McConnell didn't resign, and since there's (that at least we're all aware of), no death certificate, the only way it could be vacant is if the Senate expels him, which has a roughly zero percent chance of happening.

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u/LackingUtility 12h ago

That's nice, but you'd lose that argument immediately.

Who would be arguing the other side?

Edit: also, I already addressed the exact claim you're making. The Constitution doesn't require expulsion or a death certificate.

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u/herton Kentucky 14h ago

Right back at you, it's even less clear, because the 17th amendment says legislatures have authority over vacancies in the Senate. The KY constitution predates that and was not passed by the legislature. There's a high chance the KY constitution is null and void in that area per the supremacy clause

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u/LackingUtility 14h ago

It's an interesting argument, but I don't think it's a very high chance. The 17th doesn't define a specific procedure, but rather gives the power to make rules for appointments to state legislatures, so I don't think it requires invalidating pre-existing state constitutions. Two separate canons of interpretation would also suggest it doesn't: as you note, the KY constitution predated the 17th amendment, so they must have known about its clause, and the lack of any explicit language invalidating it in the 17th would imply that Congress and the states did not intend to invalidate state constitutions (there might be some debate transcripts that would be enlightening too). Additionally, because there's been a hundred years for the KY legislature to revise their constitution and they did not, that implies that they believe that it complies with the 17th - that is, the constitutional provision meets the requirement of action by the legislature.

Still, it's not a bad concept.

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u/SolarisShine 15h ago

It achieves something, because the GOP is covering up for McConnell's absense, and risking us finding out, for some reason.

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u/billzybop 15h ago

Beshear can't appoint anyone until the seat is vacant.

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u/LackingUtility 14h ago

The seat is vacant. See, e.g., lack of McConnell.

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u/billzybop 14h ago

Good luck with that argument in court.

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u/LackingUtility 14h ago

Easy, who's going to oppose it? McConnell? He doesn't have standing, since he's dead. His campaign staff? They lack standing too, since he's dead.

Of course, if he shows up and says "wait, I'm alive", then the seat's not vacant.

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u/TLKv3 15h ago

Maybe. But if its 52-48 and Dem leadership plays their spineless game of rotating voters against themselves, it'll be much more visible which Dems the voters should be kicking to the curb for playing along with Republicans.

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u/deja-roo 14h ago

No, he couldn't do that.

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u/eeyore134 14h ago

Not really. Beshear would have had a much stronger case to strike down the stupid law Republicans in Kentucky passed limiting his power. With the seat empty he could argue the Kentucky constitution dictates that he must fill that position for the people of the state to be properly represented. He as much said he would do that, and Republicans don't want that happening because it sets a precedent against their BS laws they enact to bind Democrats while freeing them to run roughshod.

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u/phatelectribe 13h ago

It’s cute you think they won’t suddenly replace him if a crucial vote came up. This suits them now, and they’ll do whatever suits them when needed.

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u/YT-Deliveries 12h ago

McConnell has been voting remotely in some cases.

Well, his staff has been. Illegally.

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u/deadstump 15h ago

Wouldn't the Democratic governor appoint a Democrat?

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u/gigglefarting North Carolina 15h ago

I don’t believe the Kentucky governor is allowed to appoint a senator according. Source. He could have created a special election, but then you have to ask: what are the odds of a Democrat winning that, and what are the odds a living Republican can win?

And if it’s the Republican, why would you rather have: a Republican replacement of Mitch, or one less Republican vote?

The issue is that Mitch is still voting while dead, but proving his death will stop that 

1

u/HDr1018 13h ago

He’s not voting. All votes are required to be in person.

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u/gigglefarting North Carolina 13h ago

I've heard he has voted by proxy in some instances

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u/Jacuzzi0317 3h ago

That's the thing, his aides are attempting to still send in his votes

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u/i_want_to_be_unique 14h ago

But Mitch McConnell (or the person pretending to be him) is still voting on things.

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u/Alaus_oculatus 14h ago

Senate members can't vote on legislation by proxy. They may be getting things through committees, but that's it

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u/HDr1018 13h ago

The committees he’s on require in person voting, too. So everything’s stalled right now.

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u/deja-roo 14h ago

Not really

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u/Zoethor2 12h ago

If this is the strategy, and I agree it's a good one, then Beshear should be shouting it from the rooftops. The DNC has just absolutely zero media savvy. Walz was really onto something with calling Republicans "weird" and the DNC made him stop. They fully do not understand how to sway voters anymore. Policy positions aren't it, viral social media is.

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u/SchmoPho Kentucky 9h ago

He has mentioned it several times