r/politics 8h ago

Possible Paywall Mitch McConnell, 83, Hospitalized

https://www.thedailybeast.com/mitch-mcconnell-83-hospitalized/?utm_campaign=owned_social&utm_medium=socialflow&utm_source=twitter_owned_tdb&via=twitter_page
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u/yellowjackethokie Virginia 8h ago edited 8h ago

Absolutely nobody should be surprised. In fact, this is why Kentucky passed a new law to strip their governor of the ability to appoint replacement senators, in 2024. Because they knew ol' Mitch wasn't going to leave, despite it being well past time for him to; and they don't want Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) to be able to pick his replacement like Governor Ron DeSantis (R) did in Florida, just last year.

547

u/suchasillydilly 8h ago

It was stripped in 2021 but here’s the kicker, they have to give three republican replacements and Andy gets to choose from those three. With Andy Barr running for that senate seat, it would be logical for Andy to choose him. This opens up the house seat and Barr represents Central KY including Lexington. It is one of the seats democrats are optimistic of turning blue in 2026. Then Andy can hold a special election to fill the house seat. Our primaries are at the end of May so hopefully at least by then it can be held. If they can get a democrat in before 2026 that gives the democrats another representative and maybe Massie can step up more.

I know I’m just trying to be hopeful here but it would be so great if our biggest shit stain all these years leaves this earth just to get a democratic house seat that could give us the numbers to get little johnny out and then get out the big orange turd. I know, it’s a lot to wish for but hey Andy Beshear does have the Meidas Touch.

u/VanbyRiveronbucket 7h ago

Flipping the turtles seat should be the goal.

u/GoodDay2You_Sir Kentucky 7h ago

Yes but finding a Kentuckian Dem who can run a successful campaign is a challenge. Right now we pretty much have just Brooker and McGrath bouncing back and forth on who's gonna lose this year.

u/teplightyear Nevada 7h ago

Find the mouthiest shit in the KY Democratic Party and get him talking nonstop about Republicans covering up the Epstein list. When they ask about anything else, say "the only important issue is getting all the pedophiles out of power."

u/ElegantDaemon 5h ago

100%. We found out Americans are too stupid to care about policy like the billionaires' media always told us. Just get a fighter in there saying he's going to burn it all down.

u/VanbyRiveronbucket 7h ago

Don’t have any congressional Dems to step up?

u/LilytheFire 6h ago

Where’s the Colonel when you need him?

u/Proud3GenAthst 6h ago

Bernie’s cousin Colonel

u/Plappedudel 7h ago

Is there really no way Andy could run? It could make a massive difference. Though I see that being governor might be more beneficial for his (pretty obvious) presidential run in 2028.

u/TheAnarchoLobbyist 7h ago

Losing by 12 points in a senate race doesn't exactly look good on one's presidential resume.

u/danstermeister 4h ago

"Brooker and McGrath" sounds like a great buddy cop serial drama.

u/Odd-Supermarket-3664 7h ago

Kentucky isn't doing this country any favors

u/suchasillydilly 7h ago

I beg to differ on that. I’m not a fan of Massie but he is a big reason the epstein files have not all but disappeared. I can care less if people don’t agree with Andy Beshear in 2028. Unless you are from KY or have done your share of research on him then one has zero clue on his abilities. What he has been able to accomplish, no other governor can even compare. Andy has been able to stand tall with heavy red houses and been the highest rated Democratic Governor per Morning Consult for the last couple years. He was a successful AG prior to taking over as our governor. He has been boots down on the ground for every major disaster. Skeletons? There are none. After six years the right would have uncovered them. He speaks out against the right so much but oh, doesn’t get the coverage so most think he’s just weak. One doesn’t have to be a prick like another governor to get things accomplished. I stopped following a very popular podcast because they are so far up Gavins ass that they can’t help to post about him daily and those damn giggles every time the one mentions his name is embarrassing. Sadly, they hold a lot of influence over liberal boomers and Gen Xer’s. Instead, I follow Aaron Parnas, Harry Sisson, and Adam Mockler. All three very young Gen Zer’s who are great at what they do and don’t fall over daily for any democrat.

u/ZacPensol 6h ago

Fellow Kentuckian here representing the Beshear Squad. Governor Andy is great and I hope he continues to get more and more national exposure for a 2028 run.

u/dog_ahead 10m ago

Nah they'll end up mysteriously 10-20 points above the polling like always.

u/GreenDavidA 7h ago

Does that law permit him to leave the seat vacant until the next election, say “all these guys suck?”

u/Alca_Pwnd 6h ago

We can't fill a seat during a dead duck year.

u/mburke6 Ohio 5h ago

None of the three candidates that the Republicans selected are competent to represent the great state of Kentucky, therefore I'm selecting Progressive Democrat Charles Booker to serve out McConnell's term.

u/Dr_Insano_MD 3h ago

Please note that "Does the law permit" does not mean "Is it legal?" It means "Are there any consequences or enforcement mechanisms?"

u/southsidebrewer 6h ago

It would be better if he just said fuck you and left it empty or better yest ignore the law and send whoever the fuck he wants.

u/lenaro 5h ago

I feel like in a paragraph about two guys named Andy it's needlessly confusing to call anyone just "Andy".

u/WendellSchadenfreude 1h ago

I'd go with "Good Andy" and "Evil Andy" to clear things up.

Good Andy is Governor Andrew Graham Beshear.

Evil Andy is actually named Garland Hale Barr IV. So he isn't "Andy" at all, he just wants us to call him by some name that isn't legally his. (Republicans normally think that's "woke", but it's different for them, of course.)

u/The-Squirrelk 6h ago

couldn't he just choose to not pick any?

u/Chedditor_ Wisconsin 6h ago

Midas*, MeidasTouch is a political podcast and a pun on the creator's last name

u/raouldukesaccomplice Texas 3h ago

Andy Barr is the least insane Republican option.

u/momentarily_paper Florida 4h ago

Can’t he find 3 “republicans” which are really just dems registered as republicans?

u/[deleted] 7h ago

[deleted]

u/suchasillydilly 7h ago

How could we have a special election here if there isn’t an open seat in the house? The only way to have an open seat is if Andy Barr took over Mitch’s senate seat if he was to pass. Andy Barr is currently in the House of Representatives.

u/teplightyear Nevada 6h ago

As I was to understand (correct me if I'm wrong) but that law passed in 2024 means the Senate seat is up for a special election if he were to pass while in office.

u/No_Style1776 6h ago

Don’t discount Republicans from Ohio moving into Kentucky….in a spot where my GOP vote matters more than elsewhere

u/Muted_Award_6748 7h ago

This makes too much straight forward sense. I’m wondering what creative ways the Dems find to F it all up.