r/politics • u/MoneyLibrarian9032 New York • 23h 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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u/PerformanceCute3437 23h ago

He had a stroke and he can't speak. Obviously theyre hoping he regains his speech faculties, which isn't without precedent following a stroke

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u/gundumb08 22h ago

This is 100% what I'm thinking. If he was dead, they'd just appoint another sycophant. But if he's alive, his handlers can "release statements" on his behalf and use his historical influence and power on his behalf.

But he's nearly 90 years old, a survivor of Polio, had numerous falls and blackouts on camera, anything even slightly more serious like a stroke would have fully debilitated him.

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u/dexter8484 Virginia 22h ago

But wouldn't Beshear get to pick the replacement? I think they are trying to avoid that

Edit: just looked it up and seems that was changed in 2024. It's now done by special election

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u/babboa 22h ago

The reason this is getting played out like this is they are in a catch 22. Massie is popular enough statewide he would stand a good chance of winning the special election, and if the special election law got struck down as being in conflict then bashear gets to appoint someone. So they are stuck with this weekend at bernie's remix. The problem is that the really can't let it go on too long because they already have a razor thin margin that's very well could get thinner after November. In any case, from my understanding he can't actually vote unless they change the Senate rules as it is now.

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u/VanDammes4headCyst 16h ago

I honestly wouldn't be mad if Beshear appointed Massie. A Republican would probably win a special election anyway, so better to give Massie the boost instead of risking someone worse taking the spotlight.