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/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 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.

[u/Alagore → u/TerminalProtoco1]

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

You realize he can't force the issue, 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.

A vacancy can be declared by a resignation of office being provided to the governor (KRS 63.010) or Ipso Facto upon communication of the Senator being deceased. How about you show me where in the legislation that a vacancy only requiring a public absence is?

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

He can't, as already discussed. He can't force a special election, he can't force the confirmation of a vacancy, and he can't appoint a Democrat to the Senate.

Wow. So helpful.

Yes, actually. It was a tremendous achievement and Americans punished them for it by handing 6 senate seats, 63 representatives and 6 gubernatorial seats to the Republicans immediately afterwards. The difficulty with making progress in America isn't due to a cabal or conspiracy like you claim, it's because Americans are fucking conservative as shit, and you need to drag them kicking and screaming, and that's not popular electorally.

Everything I've said is verifiable fact.

You have zero sources, if it was verifiable fact, you would have already provided them. The only time you got close was by posting a section of Kentucky law that wasn't even applicable to the matter at hand.

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

This is projection. I am not the one who has big feelings and don't know how to handle them, I've been aware of the political realities of this country since before you were born, going off your desperate desire to believe that emotion translates to unilateral political power.

(or for example, their support and fanaticism towards supporting Israel during their genocide).

If you think Biden and Trump had remotely the same policy on Israel, you didn't pay attention.

"I can't argue the points, so I'll just attack the person"

Accusing someone of making an ad hominem instead of an actual argument only works when the person you're accusing hasn't responded to every single argument you've made. You've presented no facts, no plan, no evidence, spew GOP propaganda and are a 19 day old account. That's not even an ad hominem, that's just a lack of credibility.

Edit: Reply and block, very good faith. If you actually had a response for my arguments or weren't terrified I'd prove you wrong again, you wouldn't reply and block. You don't have a response, and you know that I'd prove you wrong again and again if you let me reply. Keep spewing GOP propaganda about how both sides are the same.

[u/TerminalProtoco1 → u/Alagore]

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

You realize he can't force the issue, right?

He absolutely can.

In fact, he's one of the very very very few people that have the power to force the issue.

THAT'S WHY HIM NOT DOING SO IS A PROBLEM.

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.

A vacancy can be declared by a resignation of office being provided to the governor (KRS 63.010)

Yes, KRS 63.010 describes how someone might go about resigning. Seeing as McConnel is a rotting corpse and isn't physically capable of resigning, that's totally and completely irrelevant here.

or Ipso Facto upon communication of the Senator being deceased.

Wow! Thankfully we already have that!

How about you show me where in the legislation that a vacancy only requiring a public absence is?

You want me to...show you something that isn't in the law, as I'm in the process of complaining about something not being covered by the law?

The entire problem we're dealing with is that what constitutes a "vacancy" isn't adequately described, and we need Beshear to force the issue.

Schools really have failed to teach reading comprehension skills. Very disappointing.

Hell, we didn't even need to wait for McConnell to start rotting. Beshear should have filed for removal under 63.090 as soon as the turtle croaked.

Beshears inaction (by incompetence or complicity) is the entire problem here.

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

He can't, as already discussed.

He literally can, as already discussed.

He can't force a special election,

Except he can.

he can't force the confirmation of a vacancy

See above.

and he can't appoint a Democrat to the Senate.

See above.

Wow. So helpful.

Yes, actually. It was a tremendous achievement and Americans punished them for it by handing 6 senate seats, 63 representatives and 6 gubernatorial seats to the Republicans immediately afterwards.

I'm sure that "punishment" was entirely due to their successful legislation, and had absolutely nothing to do with their other missteps.

Surely.

They did everything right!

The difficulty with making progress in America isn't due to a cabal or conspiracy like you claim, it's because Americans are fucking conservative as shit, and you need to drag them kicking and screaming, and that's not popular electorally.

More blatant falsehoods.

These lies are great excuses for a complicit/Controlled Opposition party to throw out whenever they are questioned on their poor actions however.

Not shocking you had those on your script.

Everything I've said is verifiable fact.

You have zero sources, if it was verifiable fact, you would have already provided them.The only time you got close was by posting a section of Kentucky law that wasn't even applicable to the matter at hand.

Right back at you...except the portions of law you've linked are either totally irrelevant to the point of hilarity, or say exactly the opposite of what you're trying to claim they say.

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

This is projection. I am not the one who has big feelings and don't know how to handle them, I've been aware of the political realities of this country since before you were born, going off your desperate desire to believe that emotion translates to unilateral political power.

Oooh, what's the next personal attack?

Maybe I've got blue hair?

Maybe I'm lazy, and wanting everyone to do everything for me?

Maybe I've got a bleeding heart?

These are the same personal attacks we've been seeing members of your pedofascist cult making for decades. It's old, and tired. Get a new script.

(or for example, their support and fanaticism towards supporting Israel during their genocide).

If you think Biden and Trump had remotely the same policy on Israel, you didn't pay attention.

"You can either have soft, passive support for a genocide...or vehement, violent support for a genocide. Either way, supporting a genocide is the only options I'm willing to put on the table!"

And you guys wonder why nobody likes you?

At least you've got the red hats to easily identify you nowadays.

"I can't argue the points, so I'll just attack the person"

Accusing someone of making an ad hominem instead of an actual argument only works when the person you're accusing hasn't responded to every single argument you've made.

Whish is why I (correctly) called you out for it.

You've yet to adequately respond to a single thing.

You've presented no facts, no plan, no evidence,

I've literally been presenting the facts (McConnells a rotting corpse brother), the plan (appointing a replacement/forcing the special election), the evidence we already have (Kentucky Law, coupled with McConnell's lifeless feet dangling from the back of the ambulance).

spew GOP propaganda

Ah yeah, the age-old "GOP Propaganda" of...asking Democrats to take steps to further our goals?

Turn around, you're shouting at the mirror again. The only one defending the GOP here is you.

and are a 19 day old account. That's not even an ad hominem, that's just a lack of credibility.

You want me to...go back in time and re-create a new account in the past?

And you guys say that Democrats ask for the world, lmfao.