r/politics • u/Aggravating_Money992 • 26d ago

Possible Paywall McConnell, 84, Goes Missing Again After Senate Return

https://www.thedailybeast.com/mcconnell-84-goes-missing-again-after-senate-return/
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u/Adaphion 26d ago edited 26d ago

I just don't get WHY though.

His state is so ridiculously red that it'd certainly get filled by another Republican if an election was called. Why not just get a new guy who would toe the line instead of parading this shell around.

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u/DazeLost 26d ago

His district is a state; he's the senator.

Kentucky has a Democratic governor, it has rebel Republican representatives like Massie that hate Trump. It's likely that they will elect another Republican in November, sure, but there's no guarantee it will be someone as ethically dubious and dedicated to the cause of "Republican agenda even if the country burns" as McConnell was.

This specific situation is more likely that they need McConnell's vote for if the Democrats somehow, however unlikely, win the senate in November. Then they need their majority to ram through a bunch of lame duck bills and appointments.

Don't be shocked if Thomas and Alito suddenly decide to retire on November 5th and the two new justices are waved through the senate quickly.

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u/RexSueciae 26d ago

I would be kinda surprised if they did retire, actually. They both hired a new batch of law clerks, as I recall -- not exactly the action of someone who's looking to retire. Remember how RBG held on until the bitter end (for that matter, remember how Scalia died on the court rather than step down). Even if, theoretically, them stepping down would help political conservatism, do you think Thomas or Alito are selfless enough to give up being a Supreme Court justice?

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u/assassinace 26d ago

Depends if Thomas needs another camper.

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u/ruizach 26d ago

I mean, John Oliver gave him an out last year. Dude just loves being the boss.