# Mitch McConnell and Medical Issues **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 26, 2023, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661 "2023-07-26T19:02:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/181 "2023-07-29T23:49:55Z")
“Beautiful plumage!” ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/182 "2023-07-30T00:15:33Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > But what if he… didn’t? (I imagine there are provisions in the law for governors draggin their feet pass those 21 days, but it’s fun to imagine…) There’s no consequence or mechanism in the statute to force Bashear to make an appointment. When he vetoed the bill that changed how replacement Senators are appointed (his veto was overridden), he stated that the bill was an unconstitutional infringement on the 17th amendment. Should Mitch shuffle off, I would love to see Bashear give Kentucky Republicans the finger and appoint a Democrat. Of course, it would go to court, but I think there’s a decent argument that these sort of “pick from party list” laws _are_ unconstitutional, and in the meantime team R in the Senate will be down a player. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/183 "2023-07-30T00:57:16Z")
Down their **key** player. Without Mitch, Team R will turn on each other like rabid dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/184 "2023-07-30T02:30:23Z")
I thought majority/minority leader was given based on seniority? There should be no fighting. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/185 "2023-07-30T02:44:00Z")
It is not. Neither Mitch McConnell nor Chuck Schumer are the most senior members of their respective parties in the Senate. Party leaders are elected by each party’s caucus. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/186 "2023-07-30T02:47:51Z")
Thanks…I’ll bring the popcorn. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/187 "2023-07-30T02:55:28Z")
Right. _President Pro Tempore of the Senate_ is the one who’s selected from among the seniormost members (currently held by the 2nd seniormost Dem, Patty Murray). ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/188 "2023-07-30T03:17:45Z")
Yep, by tradition the _President Pro Tempore_ is the seniormost member of the majority party. But Murray shows that it’s not always the case – Feinstein is the seniormost Democrat in the Senate. She was skipped over, allegedly at her own request. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/189 "2023-07-30T13:18:02Z")
It would be worth considering then, it would be a low blow perhaps, but after the things the Republicans have been pulling they would have no ground for complaining (they would do it anyway). ---
**Author:** ![Wincerind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@Wincerind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wincerind)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/190 "2023-07-30T15:38:24Z")
[![](https://i.ibb.co/JnwDGq4/92-D68823-8224-497-D-B294-D7-A90-D7-D241-D.jpg) ](https://i.ibb.co/JnwDGq4/92-D68823-8224-497-D-B294-D7-A90-D7-D241-D.jpg) Sure looks like a Norwegian blue… ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/191 "2023-07-30T21:02:05Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > Neither Mitch McConnell nor Chuck Schumer are the most senior members of their respective parties in the Senate Unsurprisingly, Chuck Grassley is the most senior GOP senator, first taking office in 1981. (He’s also the oldest Senator). Mitch is second on the Republican seniority list, first taking office in 1985. As noted, Feinstein is the most senior Democratic senator, first taking office in 1992. Schumer is actually sixth on the Democratic list, first taking office in 1999. After Feinstein, it’s Murray, Wyden, Durbin, Reed, and Schumer. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/192 "2023-07-31T02:03:48Z")
> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#): > > Perhaps this is an opportunity for the Democrats to try, but what if we didn’t? Is the requirement that they are from the same party Constitutional? I mean, the Constitution states the requirements for Senators and political parties are not mentioned in the document, so does the Kentucky legislature get to decide additional requirements? I know the current SC Justices owe even more to McConnell than to Trump, but what would a truly conservative Constitutionalist decision be? Funny you should mention that. > **[McConnell’s dizzy spell has politicos in Kentucky, Washington spinning plans...](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/jul/29/mitch-mcconnells-dizzy-spell-has-politicos-kentuck/)** > > Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s on-camera health scare set off a political guessing game in Kentucky about how the Democratic governor will name a replacement if he gets the chance. > “[Governor] Beshear either says, ‘Hey, Republican Party, thank you for your list, but I’m appointing whoever I want’ and then that immediately gets challenged in court, or you could see Beshear taking the route of filing a lawsuit,” Mr. Abate said. “I mean, he’s got the guts to defy it.” ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/193 "2023-07-31T13:04:19Z")
> [@Wincerind](#): > > Sure looks like a Norwegian blue… That a species of turtle? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/194 "2023-07-31T13:11:24Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > > [@Wincerind](#): > > > > Sure looks like a Norwegian blue… > > That a species of turtle? - Doesn’t specify nationality. [![](https://www.nwf.org/-/media/NEW-WEBSITE/Shared-Folder/Wildlife/Reptiles/leatherback-sea-turtle_Getty-Images_600x300.ashx) ](https://www.nwf.org/-/media/NEW-WEBSITE/Shared-Folder/Wildlife/Reptiles/leatherback-sea-turtle_Getty-Images_600x300.ashx) ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/195 "2023-08-07T17:01:08Z")
This had to sting. It can’t be good for his mental health. Maybe he should listen to them. [Heartland Signal on Twitter: “VIDEO: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was mercilessly booed and jeered at the 143rd Annual St. Jerome Fancy Farm Picnic in Kentucky this weekend. https://t.co/2iPMZ5Ot3q” / X](https://twitter.com/heartlandsignal/status/1688331576591990784?s=46&t=XGja5BtSraUljl_WWUrIUg) ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/196 "2023-08-07T17:22:39Z")
I am surprised he’s out at picnics. Against doctor’s orders, I’d assume… Hot sun, humidity, and eating the obligatory corn dogs and fried oreos on a stick might just do him in. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/197 "2023-08-07T17:38:24Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > This had to sting If there’s one thing I’m certain of regarding Mitch McConnell, it’s that he does not give a single flying fuck what any of his detractors think about him. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/198 "2023-08-07T20:18:07Z")
I thought the undead avoided sunshine? ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/199 "2023-08-07T22:16:00Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > If there’s one thing I’m certain of regarding Mitch McConnell, it’s that he does not give a single flying fuck what any of his detractors think about him. That was quite obvious in the video, while the crowd is chanting “RETIRE! RETIRE!” he doesn’t even pause or look up from his written speech, just keeps blathering on even though no one can hear a word he is saying. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661/200 "2023-08-07T22:21:42Z")
That’s fer sure. I am willing to bet he means to stick around at least until the next presidential election is done (so a little more than a year). I don’t think it is in him to retire but, if he means to I think he would want to wait at least that long to do so. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-and-medical-issues/987661.md?page=11)