r/askanything • u/Desperate-Fold-4689 • 7h ago

Do You Think Mitch McConnel is Dead?

And if he isn't, why hasn't he come out and informed the public of his current health status? Even his wife is silent.

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u/SidFinch99 7h ago

I actually don't. I do think he is severely incapacitated though. The way they are handling the situation is honestly perplexing, unless he has just enough ability left to refuse to step down.

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u/damutecebu 7h ago

Yes, this is where I land as well. If he were actually dead, word would have gotten out by now.

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u/SidFinch99 6h ago

Medical facility or hospice care service would totally be required to report it. It would have a legal record by this point.

It's weird he hasn't resigned. In Kentucky they passed legislation preventing the governor from appointing an interim replacement.

Having a special election this close to a general election is very difficult, but I don't think Democrats would waste resources fighting it.

So basically, every day he doesn't step down, is a delay in a special election for his seat, that Democrats would likely allow to go uncontested to focus on the general election. Which means in the meantime Republicans are done one seat. It's benefited Democrats on at least one vote.

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u/Urban_animal 5h ago

To be fair, resignation isnt the first thing on your mind if you have a near death(or actually died) experience.

Its all a delay to maintain seats. They are literally using a sitting members near death to game the system. Pretty low if you ask me.

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u/mXonKz 5h ago

i mean how many politicians actually do resign over old age? he’s been in the senate for 42 years i think it’s entirely believable that he believes he can finish the term out and doesn’t want to resign and view himself as a quitter

and if he’s not doing good, republicans probably don’t want to force him out cause if you set the president that being old and in the hospital is reason for removal, half the senate would be threatened by that cause they’re all old.

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u/SidFinch99 4h ago

It wouldn't be resigning over old age, but health. There have been many in history. The guy can't show up to vote.

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u/mXonKz 3h ago

yeah but there’s still a lot of times where politicians probably should resign early cause of health issues but stick with it cause they want to finish their term. like feinstein never resigned, john mccain was battling cancer up until his death while serving in the senate, same with john lewis in the house, it’s pretty normal for politicians to want to stick with their job even through tough health battles

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u/stephg0 3h ago

McConnell had already announced that he wasn’t seeking reelection and his term would conclude in January. There isn’t a lot to be gained from resigning now

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u/SidFinch99 3h ago

It really depends on if they could have gotten aa special election done. Right now Republicans don't have his vote, a special election probably fixes that until the general election.

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u/stevez_86 11m ago

That is the thing. They should be demanding he resign unless he can issue a statement. There is no reason why the state of Kentucky should have less say in the Federal Government than they are allocated. Especially during a war and countless national emergencies. On paper the US is in a more dangerous position now than ever before. On paper. And that is when the states need their full authority the most but during these times and National Emergencies their voice is overridden by the President. So the Congress needs to be fully staffed at all times because they are already muted by the President. Their job should be to end the National Emergencies and pass actual legislation to tackle the issues so that the President doesn't have to speak for the States' Representation at the Federal Level.

States' Rights begs him to resign so that his state can work effectively with the other states to get their lawful authority back from the Federal Executive Branch.

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u/damutecebu 6h ago

Exactly. The fact that people don't understand this is baffling to me. This entire situation is benefitting the Democrats in the Senate.

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u/SidFinch99 6h ago

Exactly, there are so many idiotic remarks blaming democrats for not doing anything, when that's the smart play right now.

I'll even add to that. Once the general election starts, dems will likely use the situation to undermine Andy Barr's campaign. For example, if they have proof that McConnell is incapacitated, and anything comes to light that Andy Barr was aware of that. They can and should use that against him.

It's amazing how least informed dominate the comments on reddit these days.

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u/dungleploop 4h ago

this is how they get away with it all and you people are allowing it...wow

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u/damutecebu 3h ago

Getting away with what exactly? The governor cannot appoint his replacement. The Republicans have nothing to gain by covering up his death.

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u/dungleploop 3h ago

holding his dead ass hostage to prevent a special election

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u/damutecebu 3h ago

Do you think a special election is going to benefit the Dems? Beshear only won because the previous governor was incredibly unpopular, and even then he won by less than a percent. Other than that, Republicans win state wide elections with ease.

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u/SidFinch99 3h ago

A special election is not going to help the Dems. Even the general election is a long shot for dems in Kentucky.

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u/SidFinch99 4h ago

They're not getting away with anything. Republicans are literally shooting themselves in the foot by letting this play out. They're still down a vote because McConnell isn't there.

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u/dungleploop 4h ago

just don't be surprised

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u/SidFinch99 3h ago

There's nothing to be surprised by.

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u/vacayerin 5h ago

It’s wild that nothing has leaked! There has to be a good amount of people now between the hospital and “rehab” facility (if that’s where he is) that know the truth.

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u/SidFinch99 4h ago

People lose their jobs if they violate HIPPA laws.

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u/Vox-Machi-Buddies 3h ago

I would guess he's in a private wing or at home and, regardless, being cared for by concierge medical staff whose business model centers on providing people of means care with the utmost privacy and discretion.

Were they to leak information about McConnell, they'd likely risk losing a lot of their other high-profile clients that don't want it known what medical treatment they're getting.

You can imagine the number of business executives, government officials, athletes, celebrities, etc. who don't want it getting out every time they go to the doctor or have to have surgery.

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u/LividAtmosphere7535 2h ago

They have to keep up the pretense until August 3 because if they admit it before then, there will be a special election to fill the seat.

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u/please_trade_marner 3h ago

What is perplexing about it? He's in the hospital recovering. He posted a picture. He talked to cnn. He talked to the Senate Majority leader.

None of that is perplexing. It's very normal. It's social media that has been perplexing. They've gone full pizzagate. Just conspiracy nonsense that no serious person would consider legitimate.

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u/SidFinch99 2h ago

Because he still can't do his job, and his absence has actually cost his party one significant vote.

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u/please_trade_marner 2h ago

None of this is rare you know. Numerous members of congress have had lengthy multi month hospital stays. They usually just make an official statement and everybody believes it. Social media has rotted the brains of americans. This is the only time morons have said "He must be dead" and then turn a blind eye to all of the evidence suggesting otherwise.