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[Chasstev365]

This message was self-deleted by its author (Chasstev365) on Thu Jul 9, 2026, 11:26 AM. When the original post in a discussion thread is self-deleted, the entire discussion thread is automatically locked so new replies cannot be posted.

[Quiet Em]

1. privacy, hipaa laws

Governor Beshear rightfully is requesting that McConnell's office give him some sort of update. It's unfair to Kentuckians to not know or not have representation.

[moose65]

9. HIPAA laws??

HIPAA applies to health care providers, not to citizens. We're not asking the hospital or doctors to respond - we are asking his office and the people who work for him.

[Quiet Em]

10. I know, I said privacy too

my point is Democrats can't demand answers. Governor Beshear certainly has a right to know but he can't force anyone to give him an answer.

Republicans are effed up people. How long was that Rep. mia with no information at all? That Rep. was probably there test run for McConnell to see how long they could hold out without giving any information.

[usaf-vet]

24. They have admitted he is in the hospital. DO what kidnapping experts do: ask for a photograph of him in his bed ...

... and published in newspapers. They say he is there; prove it! How would that violate HIPAA?

[Orrex]

26. If an elected official is permanently unable to perform their duty

That supersedes any claims of personal privacy. They don’t even need to give details about who’s changing his diapers and swapping his catheter; a simple, on-the-record and verifiable “he’s dead” or “he’s not dead.”

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. Meh, McConnell's health is a distraction from the important stuff

A special election won't change anything.

Concentrate on Trump's corruption, deep friendship with Epstein, and guilt of sexual abuse, and the Republicans' covering up of all this. And Trump's failed war that has driven up prices, and empowered the Iranian regime.

[ahnakneemoose]

3. Even More Strange and Odd

*** At your calls and insistence ***

All of the staffers barely knew what I was talking about and just said, "I'll pass it along."

[karynnj]

5. My guess is they know everything we know,

but they are certainly not going to respond for their bosses as you would want.

Not to mention, not having a special election means one less Republican Senator for about 6 months. A special election in Kentucky would go to the Trump endorsed person. It is a fantasy that Massie, who was killed in his primary would win, much less a Democrat

[Renew Deal]

4. It's generally a waste of time.

Holding a press conference basically saying "bring out your dead" is crude. It won't actually change anything. It's red meat for parts of the internet but has no impact or useful value.

[Chasstev365]

6. Why would Republicans do if Mitch was a Democrat?

[Renew Deal]

7. Don't know and don't really care what they would do

[Wednesdays]

8. Exactly.

The odds of Republicans doing the WRONG thing are very high.

[tritsofme]

13. Feinstein recently died in office after a long decline.

I’m really not understanding the point you’re trying to make or what you think this “press conference” would accomplish.

[Totally Tunsie]

11. Did you mean "weren't"?

"I asked why they were demanding to know what is going on with Mitch McConnell".

[paulk]

12. really?

Well, it isn't their state, and they most likely have other things to do?

Come up with something that pertains to their actual, you know, job - before demanding new leadership.

[betsuni]

14. Bookmarking.

[Boo1]

15. Probably because

They know that pushing the issue results in atleaast a 50/50 chance thay republicans would pick up a vote in the senate they like better.

McConnell for all his bullshit was atleast a thorn in their efforts this past few months.

[maxsolomon]

16. WERE demanding?

Weren't demanding?

[Mz Pip]

17. Mitch could end the speculation

All Mitch need to do is call Beshear and talk for 20 minutes like he’s doing with his Republican colleagues.

[sop]

18. If he's really on life support, what do Republicans gain by keeping Mitch's condition secret? I don't see the benefit.

[Wiz Imp]

22. They dont.

Too many people here believe everything is a Republican conspiracy. In this case, Democrats are better off with McConnell remaining a member of the Senate without being aable to vote.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

19. You're not going to get much out of a staffer.

[MadMike47]

20. Where's Chuck Schumer?

He should invite a news team to join him in a trip to the hospital to pay his respects to Mitch and have the cameras running when he gets turned away at the door. It would be on every nightly news show in America.

[MadMike47]

21. Where is Chuck Schumer

He should invite a news team to join him in a trip to the hospital to pay his respects to Mitch and have the cameras running when he gets turned away at the door. It would be on every nightly news show in America.

[Wiz Imp]

23. {sigh} This is so ridiculous. The status quo FAVORS DEMOCRATS not Republicans.

A special election almost certainly would benefit Republicans, NOT Democrats.

The current situation is VERY BAD for Republicans and a GREAT SITUATION for Democrats. Democrats are the ones who should not want a special election. Republicans should want McConnell gone ASAP. An incapacitated McConnell means Republicans have only 52 votes in the Senate instead of 53. With only 52 votes, now only 3 Republicans need to vote with Democrats to kill any legislation or nominees. For example, Democrats now need only 3 Republicans to vote against Blanche as AG to kill his nomination. With McConnell present or another Republican elected in a special election taking his place, Democrats would need 4 Republican votes to kill Blanche's nomination.

Even if a Democrat won a special election it would at most be minimally worse for Republicans than a vacant seat or an incapacitated McConnell. Having a Democrat in that seat only really helps Democrats during votes where one or more Republicans are absent. Whether it's 52-47 or 52-48, Democrats still need 3 Republican votes in the senate to kill Republican legislation or nominees. A special election which would almost certainly be won by a Republican, would give Republicans back that 53rd vote for several months.

Worst case for Republicans with Special election, Democrats win but it has no real effect on Senate votes. However, if a Republican wins a special election , they get their 53rd vote back which is extremely significant.

A 53rd Republican in the Senate is an enormous advantage for Republicans (4 Republicans would need to join Democrats to kill legislation or nominees instead of the current 3 with McConnell not present), while a 48th Democrat effectively doesn't help Democrats at all (Democrats would still need 3 Republican votes to kill legislation or nominees - just like now).

Why is this so hard for so many to understand?

BTW, Andy Barr, the Republican candidate for the seat in Novembers general election is considered to have over a 99% likelihood of winning the seat. The chance of a Democrat winning a special election is only a tiny bit better. Before you say "but Kentucky has a Democratic Governor", Kentucky last elected a Democratic Senator in 1992. On the other hand, Kentucky has had only 2 Republican Governors (both for a single term) in the past 55 years. A Democrat winning the Governership in Kentucky is routine, having happened in 12 of the last 14 elections. Republicans have won 10 straight Senate elections.

https://www.racetothewh.com/senate/26#google_vignette

[Progressive dog]

25. Are you a constituent of McConnell?

They are the only people who might have a claim to know his health. Even then, they might have to wait until he is undeniably on his death bed to demand answers.

[Ol Janx Spirit]

27. It is sad to see Democratic leadership get criticized over something the Republicans are the ones...

...that rightly deserve the questions, criticism, and mockery for.

Democrats really only need to follow the old rule: never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.

It really would not be a good look for Democrats to pull a stunt like showing up at the hospital, and it would very likely be one that came back to haunt them down the road.

Best to let "sleeping" turtles lie.

The truth will come out, and unless Democrats make it about themselves somehow it will likely look very bad for Republicans.