Posted on 08/30/2023 9:23:49 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) had another medical episode in Covington, Kentucky. The aging Republican leader appeared to have lost his train of thought, staring into the abyss for at least 30 seconds before aides helped. The press had asked the Kentucky Republican if he planned to run for re-election in 2026.
This incident of mental paralysis is the second time McConnell froze at the podium in less than three months. He had a similar incident on the Hill in July, preceded by a fall at Reagan National Airport. McConnell joins the ranks of Dianne Feinstein and John Fetterman, two other senators, both Democrats, afflicted with severe health issues. Feinstein’s mental abilities have deteriorated immensely over the past 18 months, and she suffered a nasty bout of shingles earlier this year. Fetterman has yet to recover from a catastrophic stroke during the 2022 primaries.
It happened again.
Sen. Mitch McConnell appears to freeze while taking questions from reporters in Covington, Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/Sb7YoDtWSk— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 30, 2023
If liberals want to hit Republicans on hypocrisy for attacking Biden’s decrepitude while protecting McConnell, we have plenty of ammunition to redirect at them. But what if McConnell retired? Kentucky’s governor is a Democrat, but a new law passed that would require the governor to appoint a replacement of the same party as the outgoing senator from a list of nominees selected by a committee. And if there is one thing we’ve learned from Politico’s lengthy piece about McConnell earlier this month, it’s that Beshear wants nothing to do with this scenario (via Politico):
Back at Fancy Farm, the political roast in Kentucky, McConnell avoided the press. He ignored questions on his way in and out of the picnic and only hinted at his health in remarks at a local GOP breakfast.
“This is my 28th Fancy Farm, and I want to assure you, it’s not my last,” he said to rousing applause.
What he would have heard shortly after when I sat down to interview Beshear may solidify that plan to remain in office, at least as long as the Democrat is governor.
As Alex Burns and I reported in our book “This Will Not Pass,” Cotton researched the Senate succession laws in every state to make sure Republicans were positioned to benefit in the case of any vacancies.
In 2021, he came to McConnell and told the Kentuckian there was one state that posed a potential problem: McConnell’s own, where state law accorded the governor the right to fill any vacancy.
So at McConnell’s urging, Kentucky’s Republican state legislature that year passed a bill and overrode Beshear’s veto changing that law. Now, a Kentucky governor must appoint a senator of the same party as the departing lawmaker and that successor must come from a list presented by the executive committee of that state party.
Since McConnell’s freeze-up, though, there has been rampant speculation in Kentucky that Gov. Andy Beshear would flout the new law, appoint a Democrat were the McConnell seat to come open and fight out the issue in the courts.
So I asked the Democratic governor — who, not coincidentally, is facing reelection this year against McConnell’s protege, state attorney general Daniel Cameron — directly: What would he do if there’s a Senate vacancy from Kentucky?
“I mean, it’s not vacant,” said Beshear. “I’ve talked to his people, he’s doing alright. He’s going to serve out his term.”
[…]
“There’s not going to be a vacancy,” he said, again declining to answer. “That would be total speculation.”
It would be speculation, but one that’s not out of the question given these recurring health scares. McConnell isn’t a stroke victim or suffering from shingles, but his age is catching up. It’s not his fault. There are numerous members of Congress who shouldn’t be up there due to age, health, and other issues. But it’s not out of the question to game out scenarios where McConnell can’t serve this term in office. Maybe Beshear hopes McConnell retires in his own right to avoid another potential legal court regarding the powers of the governor’s office. Mr. Beshear recently lost a state supreme court case over emergency powers, which the courts said his lawsuit against the legislature had no merit.
I guess they only count for politicians with an (R) after their name.
Sounds like deciding on Mitch’s replacement is a Hot Potato that Gov. Beshar does not want to touch right now, if ever.
His Party probably has a couple of hardline progressives they would love to jam into that spot and inflict onto the public.
If Beshar says NO, someone may play a Race Card against him.
I am speculating, but this may be the type of storm cloud a Gov. wants to avoid or postpone.
Moscow Mitch is just another poster child for term limits, along with Dianne Feinstein.
My prediction is Turtle will be gone in less than 6 months.
While I don’t like a committee appointee here, Sen. Mitch McConnell is clearly past due to retire.
RE: My prediction is Turtle will be gone in less than 6 months.
Who will be the first to go among these bunch?
John Fetterman
The Turtle
Dianne Feinstein
Joe Biden
Why would the Democrats want to get rid of McConnell? He’s their best friend.
There is no amount of “Conservative Media” spin that will change my mind regarding the likes of McConnell.
They must go.
SenatorMcConnell had an inflexible attitude regarding the COVID vaccine trying to tell us it was like Jonas Salk’s polio vax of the 1950’s.
mRNA technology is simply not the same kind used for that vaccine simply not.
Did Mitch get the COVID jab no doubt he did???
+1
I don’t know KY politics but to this Yank your analysis seems finger’ linkin’ good.
Six months? I would guess less than that.
Appointing a replacement from the same party is a good law.
The Demoratic Geriatrics.
How did the “party of inclusion” become the domain of old white people?
McConnell is a snake, he’s faking it hoping to escape responsibility for his treason.
Beshear has few options. The legislature changed the appointments procedure so they will give the Gov a list of suitable Republicans. He will nominate from among them.
Why is this a big deal when McConnell does it but everyone just shrugs when FJB does it?
Today’s Democrat/Socialists have no regard for the rule and decorum of office. In other words, they will not care what new rules Mitch has changed the process into, they will automatically expect ‘their’ Governor to change the rules BACK in order to favor the Dems at this time.
Today’s Dems are not at all shy at demanding special treatment, just because.
You aren’t speculating because this is an election year.
The way Glitch McConnell desperately clings to his position of power you’d think he’s a Democrat.
Sadly, I suspect it’ll be Scalise.
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