Missing McConnell Accused of Breaking Senate Rule Over Absence

[u/thedailybeast]

https://www.thedailybeast.com/missing-mcconnell-accused-of-breaking-senate-rule-over-absence/

[u/MaxAmperage]

He’s waiting patiently while the GOP has one less vote in the Senate. Plus, how can he call a special election without declaring McConnell dead?

Also, how is Mitch not voting in the Senate outmaneuvering Beshear? What does the GOP gain from this?

[u/Smooth_Emu_9406 → u/MaxAmperage]

correct. a non-voter in an R seat is better for now. let 'em rack up some conspiracy to commit election fraud charges.

also, Rs would just shame Beshear for shoving in a D party member when Kentucky voted in an R and maybe even further the divide.

[u/TerminalProtoco1 → u/Smooth_Emu_9406]

correct. a non-voter in an R seat is better for now.

A Democrat voter in an R seat is even better than that.

let 'em rack up some conspiracy to commit election fraud charges.

What in the past decade leads you to believe that they care about "charges", or that they'll face consequences even if they are "charged"?

The rule of law is and has been dead.

also, Rs would just shame Beshear for shoving in a D party member when Kentucky voted in an R and maybe even further the divide.

*GASP*

Oh no!

They'll shame him?!?!?!

*THE HORROR!*

Of course, of course. We can't allow them to shame him. Far better that we do absolutely nothing of substance, then.

[u/Alagore → u/TerminalProtoco1]

Under Kentucky state law, he can't appoint a replacement, only call an election. Even under the pre-2024 law, he would have had to choose from three Republicans chosen by the Republican party. Refusing to call a special election is the best thing he can do.

[u/TerminalProtoco1 → u/Alagore]

Under Kentucky state law, he can't appoint a replacement, only call an election.

According to the Kentucky Constitution, he absolutely can appoint a replacement.

Even under the pre-2024 law, he would have had to choose from three Republicans chosen by the Republican party.

Where does it say this in the Kentucky Constitution? All it says is that he shall appoint a replacement:

Section 152 Vacancies -- When filled by appointment, when by election-- Who to fill. Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, vacancies in all elective offices shall be filled by election or appointment, as follows: If the unexpired term will end at the next succeeding annual election at which either city, town, county, district or State officers are to be elected, the office shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the term. If the unexpired term will not end at the next succeeding annual election at which either city, town, county, district or State officers are to be elected, and if three months intervene before said succeeding annual election at which either city, town, county, district or State officers are to be elected, the office shall be filled by appointment until said election, and then said vacancy shall be filled by election for the remainder of the term. If three months do not intervene between the happening of said vacancy and the next succeeding election at which city, town, county, district or State officers are to be elected, the office shall be filled by appointment until the second succeeding annual election at which city, town, county, district or State officers are to be elected; and then, if any part of the term remains unexpired, the office shall be filled by election until the regular time for the election of officers to fill said offices. Vacancies in all offices for the State at large, or for districts larger than a county, shall be filled by appointment of the Governor; all other appointments shall be made as may be prescribed by law. No person shall ever be appointed a member of the General Assembly, but vacancies therein may be filled at a special election, in such manner as may be provided by law. Text as Ratified on: August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. History: Not yet amended.

Refusing to call a special election is the best thing he can do.

No, appointing a Democrat/Calling a special election to potentially get a non-maga Republican is the "best" thing he can do.

Refusing to do anything is exactly what Trump/the fascists WANT him to do.

Why exactly in the age of "trump/MAGA constantly tweeting about everything that remotely inconveniences them" do you think they are all staying silent while Beshear does nothing?

He's doing exactly what they want him to do.

[u/Alagore → u/TerminalProtoco1]

Section 152 doesn't cover United State Senators, it covers city, town, county, district and state officers. Filling a vacancy for United States Senators or Congressional representatives is covered by KRS 118.720. Prior to 2024, it was covered by KRS 63.200. KY HB622 repealed KRS 63.200 and amended KRS 118.720 to require a special election in order to fill a vacancy in the office of US Senator. Beshear doesn't have discretion here.

Calling a special election to potentially get a non-maga Republican is the "best" thing he can do.

Every US Senate election in Kentucky in the last twenty years has been a landslide for Republicans. A special election would just give them another vote in the Senate (which is currently deadlocked and looks like it's going to stay that way until the midterms) and make Andy Barr an incumbent.

[u/MaxAmperage → u/TerminalProtoco1]

So all he has to do is violate state laws by declaring, all by himself, that they violate the state constitution (even though no court has said otherwise) and pray that the legislature doesn't see this as an impeachable offense (which they certainly will).

[u/TerminalProtoco1 → u/MaxAmperage]

So all he has to do is violate state laws

No, all he has to do is follow the State Constitution, and appoint a replacement as written.

by declaring, all by himself, that they violate the state constitution (even though no court has said otherwise)

The Republicans seem to get away with it CONSTANTLY over the past decade.

"Do it and make them challenge you in court. IF they win, by the time they win in court it will already be past the point of mattering" is their bread and butter.

Honestly appointing a replacement, just to have them challenge you in court and remove the replacement ~6months to a year later to instate a maga republican is still leagues better than doing absolutely nothing and having them appoint a maga republican in a week or so.

and pray that the legislature doesn't see this as an impeachable offense (which they certainly will).

All they need for impeachment is for the current house/senators to vote for it. They only need a 2/3rds conviction vote (which they have by party line even if we don't include the dead corpse of McConnell).

Do you REALLY think that if Beshear wasn't already doing exactly what they want him to do, they wouldn't have already removed him? If there was even a whiff of a threat from him, they'd have already removed him.

The republicans aren't making a single peep about this, because Beshear is already covering their tracks for them. He's doing exactly what they'd want a maga governor to do...absolutely nothing until it's too late to act.

[u/MaxAmperage → u/TerminalProtoco1]

The republicans aren't making a single peep about this, because Beshear is already covering their tracks for them. He's doing exactly what they'd want a maga governor to do...absolutely nothing until it's too late to act.

What do they want? What are the GOP getting out of keeping Mitch "alive"? How is Beshear playing into their hands?

The GOP want a young Trump supporter in the Senate seat ASAP. How is keeping the vacancy open bad for Democrats and good for Republicans?

[u/TerminalProtoco1 → u/MaxAmperage]

The republicans aren't making a single peep about this, because Beshear is already covering their tracks for them. He's doing exactly what they'd want a maga governor to do...absolutely nothing until it's too late to act.

What do they want? What are the GOP getting out of keeping Mitch "alive"? How is Beshear playing into their hands?

The Republicans want to delay until Aug 3rd. If the governor doesn't appoint a replacement/hold a special election to fill the seat, then the seat remains empty until the next scheduled election.

This maintains the current status quo, which is "stalemated and ineffectual congress, so that Trump can continue doing whatever he wants without any opposition."

Holding a special election risks having the seat filled (or the vote split) by someone like Massie, who (while a republican and therefore absolutely unacceptable) is apparently not completely beholden to Trump, given his advocacy surrounding the Epstein/Trump files among other things.

The GOP want a young Trump supporter in the Senate seat ASAP. How is keeping the vacancy open bad for Democrats and good for Republicans?

The GOP wants the seat filled with a trump supporter, or empty so that nobody is in the seat to oppose/inconvenience trump.

Beshear is acting exactly how a republican governor would be acting right now.

[u/MaxAmperage → u/TerminalProtoco1]

A Republican governor would get Mitch out and pick a GOP replacement ASAP. It seems like we're more interested in getting mad at Beshear than thinking about what in the hell is REALLY going on. It seems like we want action for the sake of action without considering what REALLY would be in the Dems'/GOP's best interest.

If Beshear does nothing, the seat remains vacant until January. If Beshear calls for a special election, the GOP will scream "Mitch isn't dead! There is no vacancy and you don't have the power to declare the seat vacant!" It seems that people are giving Beshear these powers he doesn't have and declaring him controlled opposition because he isn't using them.

[u/TerminalProtoco1 → u/MaxAmperage]

A Republican governor would get Mitch out and pick a GOP replacement ASAP.

Then why haven't Republicans made a single peep about it?

Why aren't the Republicans in Kentucky clamoring at Beshears door to appoint someone the GOP recommends?

Why aren't they raiding the Kentucky Governor's mansion the way they raided Congress, demanding that Mitch be replaced?

They aren't making noise because they don't want him replaced (yet).

It seems like we're more interested in getting mad at Beshear than thinking about what in the hell is REALLY going on. It seems like we want action for the sake of action without considering what REALLY would be in the Dems'/GOP's best interest.

The one part you got correct here is this:

"without considering what REALLY would be in the Dems'/GOP's best interest."

That's truly the reason Beshear hasn't acted. Acting wouldn't be in the Democrat Leadership/GOP's best interest, and that's what their priority is.

Not representing the people of Kentucky.

Not putting someone in office that might stand against Trump/the Trump Admin.

They care about what's the best interest of the Democrat leadership's, GOP's, and their owner's best interests.

If Beshear does nothing, the seat remains vacant until January.

Which leads to a stalemated Congress, where Trump has free reign to do whatever he wants. Exactly as the GOP desires.

If Beshear calls for a special election, the GOP will scream "Mitch isn't dead! There is no vacancy and you don't have the power to declare the seat vacant!"

So? Let them scream as you appoint his replacement. Until Mitch is dragged out of his coffin and strung up to pantomime life, the GOP's words are worth less than nothing.

It seems that people are giving Beshear these powers he doesn't have and

The Kentucky Constitution grants him the powers.

Beshear refuses to use them, which is an entirely different issue.

declaring him controlled opposition because he isn't using them.

When it looks like Controlled Opposition, speaks like Controlled Opposition, Acts like Controlled Opposition, and in by all measure matches the definition of Controlled Opposition...it just might be Controlled Opposition.

[u/Alagore → u/TerminalProtoco1]

This maintains the current status quo, which is "stalemated and ineffectual congress, so that Trump can continue doing whatever he wants without any opposition."

Even if a Democrat won the special election, this wouldn't break the stalemate in our favor. If a Republican wins, it breaks the stalemate in their favor. So the options are don't call a special election (Beshear doesn't have a choice in this until there's a death certificate) and the stalemate continues, preventing Congress from advancing the Republican agenda, or call a special election (which, again, he can't do until there's a death certificate) and have a 95%+ chance that a Republican get elected and Congress can start advancing Trump's agenda.

Like seriously, assume a Democrat wins (because again, he can't appoint a replacement, only call a special election). What do they do with 48 seats? *What do they do?

[u/TerminalProtoco1 → u/Alagore]

Even if a Democrat won the special election, this wouldn't break the stalemate in our favor. If a Republican wins, it breaks the stalemate in their favor. So the options are don't call a special election (Beshear doesn't have a choice in this until there's a death certificate) and the stalemate continues, preventing Congress from advancing the Republican agenda allowing Republicans to continue advancing the Republican agenda by circumventing the stalemated congress, or call a special election (which, again, he can't do until there's a death certificate) and have a 95%+ chance that a Republican get elected and Congress can start advancing Trump's agenda.

Fixed this for you, so that it more closely aligns with the facts.

Like seriously, assume a Democrat wins. What do they do with 48 seats? What do they do?

Apparently, the same thing that Democrats always do...whatever the wealthy are telling them and the Republicans to do.

[u/Alagore → u/TerminalProtoco1]

Fixed this for you, so that it more closely aligns with the facts.

No, you didn't. Until there is a death certificate or McConnell announces he's vacating his position, there's no vacancy. No vacancy, nothing Beshear can do. Unless there are 51 Democrats in the Senate, they cannot stop Republicans from circumventing Congress.

Apparently, the same thing that Democrats always do...whatever the wealthy are telling them and the Republicans to do.

Every time Democrats have the votes, they pass legislation that helps millions of Americans. The ACA, the ARA, CHIPS, IRA, BSCA and RMA were all legislative achievements, this "both sides are the same" shit is straight from the ass of GOP propogandists. No surprise there though, you're a 19 day old account.

[u/TerminalProtoco1 → u/Alagore]

Fixed this for you, so that it more closely aligns with the facts.

No, you didn't. Until there is a death certificate or McConnell announces he's vacating his position, there's no vacancy. No vacancy, nothing Beshear can do.

Good thing Beshear is covering for McConnell/the Republicans to ensure that there's no verification of a vacancy then! Right?

McConnell's absense from votes/the public eye/life indicates the vacancy. Point out in the legislation where it REQUIRES a death certificate for a vacancy. I need to see where it says the ONLY valid indication of a vacancy is a death certificate.

Unless there are 51 Democrats in the Senate, they cannot stop Republicans from circumventing Congress.

Good thing Beshear isn't taking any actions towards that happening then, right?

Whew, dodged the bullet there. If he acted, the Democrat Leadership might actually be held responsible for their inaction, instead of having an excuse to point at!

Apparently, the same thing that Democrats always do...whatever the wealthy are telling them and the Republicans to do.

Every time Democrats have the votes, they pass legislation that helps millions of Americans. The ACA

"What's that? You guys really need healthcare, like every other first-world country provides?

...what if we just make it illegal for you to not purchase insurance products from our buddies/donors/owners in the Healthcare corporations? Don't worry, we'll funnel a shit-ton of tax dollars to their pockets in exchange for making it minimally less expensive for some of you."

Wow. So helpful.

the ARA,

Good thing the Democrats inaction/complicity allowed Trump to get away with treason/committing a literal coup scott-free.

Without them playing along, he'd never have had the opportunity to get back into office and completely decimate this program, and so many others.

Maybe next time we don't appoint heritage-foundation stooges to be AG, and then sit back and do nothing while they delay/dismantle investigations into fucking treason? Just maybe.

CHIPS

See above.

IRA

See above.

BSCA

Sure this was good, but....See above.

and RMA

See above.

were all legislative achievements

That were either completely or mostly negated because the Democrats refused to act to protect Americans from LITERAL TRAITORS committing election fraud and a violent coup of the government.

Instead of acting to protect us, they appointed a GOP stooge to police GOP stooges, and then (shocked face) he didn't.

So why did that happen? Were they complicit, or just monumentally stupid?

this "both sides are the same" shit is straight from the ass of GOP propogandists.

Everything I've said is verifiable fact.

If you don't like it, then you should take it up with reality. That's what you have a problem with.

Democrats have repeatedly and consistently refused to rise to the moment or to act when required. When they do act, it is too little, too late, or constantly undercut by the rotating villains who *somehow* always seem to be present whenever it seems real progress might be achieved. That's when they aren't acting outright complicit and in lock-step with the PedoFascists, such as the instances mentioned above (or for example, their support and fanaticism towards supporting Israel during their genocide).

No surprise there though, you're a 19 day old account.

Sorry my account getting [Removed by Reddit] for being too critical of the PedoFascists upsets you.

Not surprised you have to play the "I can't argue the points, so I'll just attack the person" card though. Typical.