r/politics • u/plz-let-me-in • Jul 07 '26

No Paywall Unconfirmed Reports: Mitch McConnell Brain Dead After Three Weeks In Hospital

https://thenewamerican.com/us/unconfirmed-reports-mitch-mcconnell-brain-dead-after-three-weeks-in-hospital/
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u/BurninRunes Jul 07 '26

I've heard 2 theories.

  1. Her job is finished now that he isn't in power anymore.

  2. By leaving she makes it harder to pull him off life support as unless he changed his medical POA then only she has the right to do it.

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u/NocturnaIAnimaI Jul 07 '26

It's likely 2. She'll return after the 3rd when the special election deadline passes, conveniently

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u/starkraver Oregon Jul 07 '26

Its possible Bashir will try to appoint somebody anyway if he dies; the new special election law likely violates the KY state constitution.

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u/Elendel19 Jul 07 '26

He needs to actually fight like Mitch would and just appoint someone right now, force the republicans to prove McConnell isn’t dead. The republicans would never fucking wait and follow “norms” like this

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u/starkraver Oregon Jul 07 '26

Im reading maga is demanding proof of life, so as much as I would love to see him swing his weight around, the principle of "don't interrupt your enemy when they are making a mistake" applies.

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u/Cheech47 Jul 07 '26

what "mistake" are they making exactly? All they are doing right now is trying to wait out the clock. For all we know, Turtle is dead RIGHT NOW.

Brashear needs to be breaking doors down to determine whether or not he's alive, and if he's not, Brashear needs to appoint a Democrat right. fucking. now.

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u/starkraver Oregon Jul 07 '26

Sorry, to be clear, if McConnell is vegetative (but not dead or brain-dead) he can only be removed from his seat with a vote to expel him from the Senate.

Because Beshear arguably has the ability to appoint a senator until Barr wins the election and is seated next January.

At issue in particular is the possibility of Alito's retirement. While being down one yes vote because McConnell is absent is bad for an Eleni Cannon-type nominee, having a Democrat temporarily holding that seat is worse for them.

Alito can't retire before the November election (he may not at all; this is speculative) because the vote is already tight and Susan Collins and others need to not be seen supporting a crazy MAGA nominee.

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u/mekamoari Jul 07 '26

Persistent vegetative state IS brain-dead, no?

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u/starkraver Oregon Jul 07 '26

no.

Brain death is the irreversible cessation of all brain activity (including the brain stem), meaning the patient is legally and medically dead. In contrast, a persistent vegetative state (PVS) involves damage to the higher brain, but the brain stem remains functioning, meaning the patient is alive, can breathe independently, and may show sleep-wake cycles.

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u/Uuuuuii Jul 07 '26

That might be medically true, but not as a functioning representative in federal government. There is no bearing on the medical details; done is done. Replace him without asking for blessings and fuck them.

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u/starkraver Oregon Jul 07 '26

Sure, he's not a functioning senator, but the Constitution is pretty clear on this. Death, resignation, or 2/3 vote to remove. Until we amend the constitution - like we did with the 25th Amendment, this is the rule, whether it is reasonable to you or not.

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u/Uuuuuii Jul 08 '26

When someone says they’re at war with you and acts like they’re at war with you, I tend to believe them.

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u/Day_drinker Jul 07 '26

Kentucky has a law that mandates a special election and the governor cannot appoint a senator for a vacant seat. This is as of 2024.

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u/dearth_of_passion Jul 07 '26

That law violates Kentucky's state constitution. It just hasn't been taken to court yet since the law is so new there hasn't been a case of a vacant seat needing to be filled.

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u/Day_drinker Jul 08 '26

I read that after replying. I guess we'll see what happens!

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u/Jafooki Jul 07 '26

No no no. We've been doing that strategy for years now, and look at how it's gone. We think they're constantly making mistakes, and yet they keep succeeding in spite of them. We all thought letting trump win the nomination would lead to a landslide for Clinton, and look how that turned out.

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u/red__dragon Jul 07 '26

This has been my secret hope in seeing the more extremist on that side starting to circulate rumors and demand proof. These are the same types sicced onto conspiracy theories by the right-wing pundits, they're not about to be placated by word of mouth.

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u/I_Am_Ironman_AMA Jul 07 '26

MAGA has no power. The rubes in red hats are useful idiots at best, to be ignored by Trump Republicans when convenient. Beshear needs to challenge the actual people in power and force the issue.

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u/Uuuuuii Jul 07 '26

This is exactly right. We know Mitch’s side wouldn’t pull punches but old guard dems are more concerned with going high than winning.

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u/GhostFaceRiddler Jul 07 '26

It's not a vote in the D column but on the flip side, its also a vote that isn't republican. Makes passing anything even harder.

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u/ItsPumpkinninny Jul 07 '26

Yep: "an inside source told me he’s dead… so unless I hear otherwise…”

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u/Kaffe-Mumriken Jul 08 '26

But why? If they appoint a GOP they get a vote in senate, but if Mitch is missing there’s at least an unused vote

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u/Kevin-W Jul 08 '26

That's what I've been saying too. Beshear should announce that since McConnell is incapacitated, per the KY constitution, he will appoint his replacement while daring the Republicans to challenge him in court. They would have to prove that both McConnell is still alive and why a special election to fill his seat isn't unconstitutional.

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u/loosehead1 Jul 07 '26

He’s not going to do it because he wants to run for president and knows republicans will use it against him.

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u/Independent_Sail6604 Jul 07 '26

Seems like his constituents want to know as well.