# Mitch McConnell falls twice in Capitol **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 6, 2025, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937 "2025-02-06T00:54:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/201 "2026-07-09T13:53:29Z")
The Republicans very emphatically DO NOT want a special election in which spoiler candidates could run, that is why they are spending all this effort pretending he is fine. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/202 "2026-07-09T13:55:28Z")
…until they run out the clock in August. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/203 "2026-07-09T13:59:50Z")
But on the other hand, even in a special election, a Republican would probably win. And the winner of a special election would only hold office until January, because the seat’s up for a regular election this year (unless the special election winner also won the regular election). And the longer they delay his replacement, the longer his seat is (effectively) empty. It’s a complicated calculation. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/204 "2026-07-09T14:01:01Z")
One less voting GOP senator will be handy in the lame duck session if the Democrats take the Senate. That’s the window for people like Scalia and Thomas to resign and allow younger Trump-friendly justices to take their place. Any vacancy after that will be left unfilled by the Senate until a Democrat is in the White House…guess who taught them that trick. ---
**Author:** ![Scoobysnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Scoobysnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoobysnax)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/205 "2026-07-09T14:02:44Z")
> According to WLKY, McConnell’s wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, was in China when McConnell was first hospitalized. She released the following statement on Wednesday: > > “The secretary was on a long-planned trip in China to support her family’s philanthropic endeavors. During the trip, she met with a number of people, including the US ambassador. The Senator’s health did not warrant an immediate return to the US.” What an odd statement to release. It says nothing about Mitch’s condition, if she is concerned about his health/wellbeing, or when she plans on returning to the US. One would think that with their money and connections that Elaine could be back Stateside within 24 hours of hearing about his medical emergency. I guess, if he is truly dead/braindead, there is no immediate rush to get home. Not like she could talk to him. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/206 "2026-07-09T14:05:55Z")
Oh a Republican is 99% going to win, they just don’t want someone with a chip on their shoulder like Thomas Massie. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/207 "2026-07-09T14:16:20Z")
OK, I think I need more background on Massie. Why don’t Republicans want him? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/208 "2026-07-09T14:25:53Z")
He dared to question their Glorious Leader’s integrity. > **[Rep. Thomas Massie confronts the full force of Trump’s wrath in a Republican...](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/rep-thomas-massie-confronts-full-force-trumps-wrath-republican-primary-rcna345257)** > > The Kentucky Republican has emerged as perhaps the president’s most critical primary target after bucking him on issues ranging from budget legislation to the Epstein files. > [@](#): > > Massie was one of only two House Republicans to vote against Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” his signature tax and spending package, citing concerns about the national debt. > [@](#): > > But the final straw for Trump, according to Massie, was the congressman’s participation in a bipartisan push to force the Justice Department to release all files pertaining to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. > [@](#): > > Massie, who has long opposed foreign aid and military involvement overseas, also sponsored a war powers resolution to stop Trump’s strikes on Iran and is one of the most vocal Republican critics of the war. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/209 "2026-07-09T14:51:24Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Why don’t Republicans want him? Like MTG he wanted the Epstein files released, so Trump had him primaried, he’s been on a bit of a warpath since then. He is extremely conservative and has supported Trump faithfully for the most part, but being against pedophiles gets you kicked out of the party. Massie would be worst case scenario for Trump, I think he’d rather have a Democrat. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/210 "2026-07-09T14:56:52Z")
Ooh, Trump actually endorsing a Democrat could be fun to see! ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/211 "2026-07-09T15:05:31Z")
To be fair, I think the bigger worry is Massie running as an independent and the Democrat winning due to the split vote. A democrat would definitely lose in November though. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/212 "2026-07-09T15:21:35Z")
But Massey could run as an independent in the regular election and act as a spoiler, too, no matter what’s done or not done with a special election. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/213 "2026-07-09T15:50:42Z")
Running successfully as an independent in the regular election is _way_ more likely if he’s already won the special. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/214 "2026-07-09T16:58:31Z")
FWIW, if it isn’t sooner, there will still be a special election in November (on the same ballot as the general) to determine who serves until the end of McConnell’s term. The candidates running in the general will likely file to be on the ballot in the special, as well. When a similar situation occurred in California it confused the Hell out of voters. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/215 "2026-07-09T17:19:31Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > FWIW, if it isn’t sooner, there will still be a special election in November (on the same ballot as the general) to determine who serves until the end of McConnell’s term. Unless McConnell is still (officially) alive at that point, of course. Or more precisely, still alive as of the date that the ballots are printed. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/216 "2026-07-09T18:27:00Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > To be fair, I think the bigger worry is Massie running as an independent and the Democrat winning due to the split vote. A democrat would definitely lose in November though. Maybe not if Massie runs in the General. > [@TroutMan](#): > > Running successfully as an independent in the regular election is _way_ more likely if he’s already won the special. Right. Note that there is nothing to say McConnell is not still alive. Maybe with all sorts of tubes and wires, sure. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/217 "2026-07-09T20:52:21Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Note that there is nothing to say McConnell is not still alive. Maybe with all sorts of tubes and wires, sure. [The Emperor of Mankind](https://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/warhammer40k/images/e/e8/God-Emperor.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20111202170238) dreams of _merely_ being supported by tubes and wires! In terms of reasons to keep him Incommunicado, without him being fully brain dead (or all dead), if he’s suffered a stroke or other major health issue that removes his filters on his speech, a psychotic inability to separate reality from imagination, etc. … well, I could see a lot of reasons the PTB wouldn’t want him making public statements of ANY sort. Most of suspect he knows enough about less-than-legal actions that he could blurt out, and even if he Didn’t, if he starts spouting some sort of paranoid delusion that hurts his fellow Republicans it would be extremely plausible. Again, _entirely_ speculation, but just wanted to repeat he could be dangerous politically and being isolated without the extreme of being brain dead as well. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/218 "2026-07-09T21:28:16Z")
Probably just the optics. He looked like he was at death’s door when he was still mobile. Imagine what he looks like now. Trump being the ungrateful and unforgiving ass he is would immediate make fun of his appearance and demand his resignation. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/219 "2026-07-09T21:29:05Z")
[This memes are getting hilarious](https://scontent-mia3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.99422-6/742558497_1632355468899821_448871330504525357_n.png?stp=dst-jpg_tt6&cstp=mx960x1015&ctp=s960x1015&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=833d8c&_nc_ohc=xcnnxn4l96sQ7kNvwGibtOG&_nc_oc=AdrfFtoUUlp0fCFU6ruZzCLcTuUfbjwAMZBy0795iinRKrDLNpfSByrD_8q6fUdIewagh_aqfnxSagSgOO5IJ6gz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-3.xx&_nc_gid=vTqhccphWnVGg063kBJOIg&_nc_ss=7b2a8&oh=00_AQDLjZTpKJaKaISbN4nQ6cOLnlosPuXLTepnxeBbYDSCFA&oe=6A55D58C). ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/220 "2026-07-09T21:29:31Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I assume the letter is a warning to be followed by action. Some speculate that Beshear may want to test the constitutionality of the Kentucky legislature’s attempt to remove from a Governor the right to appoint a replacement for McConnell. So the letter would be the prelude to his simply making that appointment—then it would go to the courts. > [@](#): > > Seventeenth Amendment > > The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures. > > When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct. > This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution. [https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-17/](https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-17/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937.md?page=12)