Kentucky’s Democratic governor declines to commit to appointing a Republican if Mitch McConnell steps down - eviltoast

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear this week declined to say whether he would follow a state law that says Republicans would get to choose a replacement for Sen. Mitch McConnell if the Senate GOP leader leaves Congress before the end of his term.

The Democratic governor was asked during a news conference Thursday about making an appointment in the event of a Senate vacancy but said he would not speculate on the matter.

  • grue@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    In what way could he “commit” that would be legally binding anyway?

    Frankly, the Republicans have created such an atmosphere of bad faith that it would be fair to just promise whatever was necessary to get Mitch out, then appoint a Democrat replacement anyway. He won’t, because Democrats care more about process than winning, but it would be fair.

      • Seasoned_Greetings@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        *have done

        I seem to remember McConnell specifically whining about how unfair it was for Obama to appoint a replacement Supreme Court justice in the last few months of his term and denying Obama the opportunity, and then ramming his own party’s justice through when the tables had turned during Trump’s last months.

        McConnell being replaced by a democrat against his party’s will would almost be poetic justice if he hadn’t have profoundly ruined our highest court in the process.

        • blivet@artemis.camp
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          1 year ago

          I was thinking the same thing. The Republicans deserve exactly the same respect for the law that they have demonstrated themselves. The governor should appoint whoever he likes and tell the Republicans to suck it.

          • Seasoned_Greetings@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            I’m with you on that. Unfortunately, the reality is that that just means McConnell is going to stay in his post until he literally dies there. Republicans won’t make that kind of concession if it means losing that seat.

        • ShunkW@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Also the fake Democrat who switched parties almost immediately after taking office. They don’t care about people’s choice.

    • aidan@lemmy.worldM
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      1 year ago

      Just saying he would follow the law I imagine? It wouldn’t be binding- but still.