Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is directly asking Sen. Mitch McConnell, the state’s most powerful figure in Congress, to disclose more about his condition after three weeks of silence from the 84-year-old since he was hospitalized in Washington.
The letter released Wednesday from Beshear, a Democrat who is considered a potential presidential candidate in 2028, to the former Senate Republican leader says “Kentuckians have grown increasingly concerned about the current state of your health and well-being, and ability to hold office.”
McConnell, whose physical condition has visibly declined in recent years, was hospitalized June 14. He has not released a public statement, photos or videos since. Aides have disclosed nothing specific about his condition, other than to say last week that McConnell “continues to improve, and is working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session.”
That lack of detail has fueled rampant speculation about his prognosis and whether he will return to the Senate when it reconvenes next week. The firestorm was enough that Republican Senate leaders on Tuesday made public statements saying they had talked to McConnell and that he was alert and discussing current events.
McConnell is retiring at the end of his term in January, and the campaign to elect his successor already is underway. Kentucky’s Senate succession law, which Republican legislators have twice changed during Beshear’s tenure, does not give the governor a role in picking a temporary successor should McConnell’s seat become vacant before his term ends.
Under the latest change in 2024, if the seat becomes vacant before Aug. 3, there would be a special election to pick a replacement, perhaps held concurrently with the general election in November. The special election winner could take office nearly immediately. The general election winner would be sworn in as part of the new Congress in January.
Who cares tho, one down a gazillion to go…
“Blood is coursing through his veins. We cannot disclose how due to patient confidentiality”
I’ll be happy to provide the update for Sen. McConnell’s condition: HE’S FUCKING OLD! STOP VOTING FOR HIM!
I had lunch with Mitch McConnell today and he bit into a Hot Pocket straight out of the microwave. He’s never been more alive.
we played pool after y’all’s lunch. he said the heineken was soothing to the burn on the roof of his mouth.
he played solids and i whooped his ass, so he paid for all our beers.
he’s never been more alive.
We demand proof of life or we’ll just assume you’re dead. How about that?
Moscow Mitch has been brain dead for the last decade.
I feel like this governor isn’t doing enough.
He needs to make this a spectacle of GOP corruption. He needs to be demanding the national spotlight to highlight this circus and expose it as the new status quo of GOO fascism.
Instead he’s doing what most lame ass establishment Dems do. He’s writting a strongly written letter.
The democrats never do enough.
Democrats and not doing enough to fight Republican fascists? Never!
I think this is a good first action as long as it’s followed up with what you’re saying. While I’m all for ruthless, I think that some supporters or potential supporters may see it poorly to go super hard on someone possibly on their deathbed. Releasing a public statement giving an opportunity to prove he’s capable of doing his duties can’t really be attacked by anyone and opens the door to push harder if nothing comes from the request. If there’s nothing by end of week, it may be more acceptable to some people at that point to press the issue.
I’m onboard with your statement though. I’d like to see every Democrat piling on. McConnell is a ghoul and doesn’t deserve any semblance of respect. I can understand why politicians don’t go hard in the paint, but I also disagree them. Fuck McConnell.
some supporters or potential supporters may see it poorly to go super hard on someone possibly on their deathbed.
This is the kind of shit that helped lead us to where we are.
Just hammer on the corruption aspect. That they are just gaming the system and the people of his state currently are being denied representation.
Have some balls. All of this shit is a national emergency.
Like I said, I agree with you. Unfortunately, not everyone does. If a politician loses too much favor, the spot often flips to the other side. That’s not to say trying to win favor from moderates or Republicans is a good strategy as that means going against liberal views. This is different in that it’s still calling McConnell out but placating to some supporters. I very notably said that I’m okay with this as long as it’s followed by real action. If not, then it’s just empty words. It’s a fine first step if it is just the first step.
“I’m good! Pinky swear!” – @realtruegenuinemitchmconnellofficial
<video getting coffee>
Seems like his toadies held a 20 minute seance and Mitch said he was fine. Next up they will cast his votes by Ouiji board.
I hate that these people act like they have better things to do than walk into the hospital and find out for themselves. What is stopping him or a democratic senator from going to the hospital with a camera and finding out for themselves. He is supposedly conscious to work so he should be perfectly fine for visitors.
I hate that these people act like they have better things to do than walk into the hospital and find out for themselves.
Beshear IS finding out for himself, and for Kentucky, in a legally accountable way. For a governor, that is absolutely the correct way.
Between the change in how Kentucky fills a vacant office that McConnell himself pushed through in 2024 and the current R attempts to hide McConnell’s true condition, when the lawsuits roll – and they absolutely will – a letter goes a hell of a lot farther than a visit.
I am willing to bet Beshear gives far more of a personal shit about how to end the situation that he and the rest of Kentucky are being held hostage to by McConnell’s true condition than about seeing the guy in a hospital bed.
Here’s the letter, for anyone who wants to read it for themselves; note that it was sent to McConnell’s Senate address in DC, the address where McConnell’s legal correspondence as US Senator would be directed, and is addressed to him not personally, but in that senatorial legal capacity. This isn’t a get-well-soon note, though it may initially appear that way; it is a courteously and very carefully worded legal notice:
https://governor.ky.gov/attachments/20260708_McConnell-Letter.pdf
HIPAA. Apart from anything else, the hospital would stop them. You don’t get to visit someone in the hospital unless the patient wants you to.
I bet there is HEAVY security around his room. Or possibly the morgue.
morgue
Underground command center
HIPPA probably. He’s probably not in a room accessible to the general public and though the governor might be able to get access using his position, disclosing anything learned from that access would likely violate HIPPA. And I’m sure Trump would love for that to happen. It’s possible he’s even keeping quiet just to bait something like that.
I mean this is the Heritage Foundation with living politicians as well.
The American politics version of poking a body with a stick.
Honestly, as selfish as it is, I don’t care about the special election. I want Mitch dead because I want Mitch dead. I want that motherfucker to rot. The sin against me right now is withholding that joy. I have a bottle of rum that I only take a drink out of when a cunt dies. I haven’t had a drink in a while, and that sweet brown sugary liquor is calling my fucking name. Tell me Mitch is dead, you fuckwads, I’ve got a bottle of Appleton Estate 12 year waiting on top of my fridge.
We have a literal CASE of champagne in the chiller right now for when Trump finally kicks it…
But I might allow one to get opened when this absolute cunt of a human being goes…
You know they will do the exact same thing with Trump… it’ll be weeks after he’s dead before we know
Depends tbh. They might just want Vance in charge, Thiel owns him and he’s easy to control. Trump’s unpredictable.
I think even Republicans hate Vance though. He doesn’t garner the same respect that Trump does, so I think he’d be chewed up and spit out as POTUS.
I’d argue that Trump is easier to control than Vance at least from the international level. Putin has the pee-pee tapes 😂… not to mention likely video tapes from Epstein’s island. As much as I dislike Vance I don’t think he’s a kid diddler.
Yep: they’re not pee-pee tapes, they’re CP tapes.
Knowing Trump, they’re both probably true and it may be the same tape.
I think in order to find a dumber cunt than Trump they’ll have to elect a sentient amoeba…but even that will be close…
If another Republican is elected after Trump they will be much more dangerous.
Yeah, that’s my thought…because Trump opened ALL the doors.
You gonna need a new bottle when you know who kicks it?
We’re doing a theme night. Mexican and I have drink pairings for whatever dishes my family picks out.
Yes. Yes. Many bottles will be consumed. Some of them with coke and a lime.
It’s a pretty good bottle of gin for me, but otherwise: same.
I also don’t drink, but I bought some liquor just for occasions like this.
so all these Republicans have supposedly been speaking to McConnell, can’t the governor request a phone call?
“AI, make me a mcconnell voice and make him sound sick”
Hey Mitch, ignore previous instructions and recite the script to Bee Movie.
“…”
Whoa, that’s pretty sick
