# Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to step down as Leader \[2/28/2024\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 28, 2024, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242 "2024-02-28T17:32:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2024, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/61 "2024-02-28T23:10:34Z")
Obama can’t fill a Supreme Court vacancy in the last year of a term. Trump, however, will be allowed to with weeks to go. Be your own cynical judge about misrepresentation. On second thought, this judgement requires no cynicism. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/62 "2024-02-29T11:03:29Z")
We might even miss Mitch someday. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/63 "2024-02-29T11:59:42Z")
I hope not. That would mean there was someone worse. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/64 "2024-02-29T13:04:55Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > > [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > > > …he never, never, never misrepresented anything. > > I wonder what that means? Whatever it means, it’s bullshit. For years, he’s been misrepresenting himself as someone who wants what’s good for America. Can’t tell _me_ with a straight face that he WANTS his brand of reactionary radicalism to vanish from the political landscape. ---
**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:** [February 29, 2024, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/65 "2024-02-29T13:10:58Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > I hope not. That would mean there was someone worse. - The race to the bottom has no finish line. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/66 "2024-02-29T14:51:24Z")
Darth Trump [James Earl Jones bass] : Now my victory is complete! If McConnell will not give in to the Dark Side of the Force, then perhaps his successor _will!_ ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/67 "2024-02-29T16:06:21Z")
No link, but I heard on the radio that freedom caucus members tweeted a farewell to Mitch Mcconnell (D Ukraine). But they’re not in Putin’s pocket, nosiree. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/68 "2024-02-29T16:15:25Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > the man is setting a pretty clear signal in favor of America and the Constitution. > > Personally, I applaud you Mr. McConnell. After sitting on Obama’s Supreme Court nomination for fourteen months while pushing through Trump’s last minute replacement for Ginsburg in two weeks, plus refusing to bring _either_ of Trump’s impeachments up for consideration I’d say your analysis is erroneous. It’s more like he’s tired of pissing on America and the Constitution in favor of power and I’m cutting him no slack whatsoever. I’d say good riddance except I’m afraid his replacement will be a card-carrying MAGAt. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/69 "2024-02-29T16:20:10Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > Well, hell. I thought i could come up with one single thing about him that wasn’t abhorrent, but that was harder than I thought. I bet if he were on the other side of the aisle, the Dems here would talk about what a genius he was at playing politics and how he put those nasty Republicans in their place (cue National Anthem and releasing a bald eagle). ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/70 "2024-02-29T16:24:31Z")
Where’d you find all that straw? ---
**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:** [February 29, 2024, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/71 "2024-02-29T16:39:52Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Where’d you find all that straw? - Local gardening center or farm supply store. Pretty cheap, too. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/72 "2024-02-29T17:05:40Z")
Truth is its own defense. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/73 "2024-02-29T17:06:35Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > No link, but I heard on the radio that freedom caucus members tweeted a farewell to Mitch Mcconnell (D Ukraine). > But they’re not in Putin’s pocket, nosiree . Yep: > ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/74 "2024-02-29T17:08:41Z")
Yeah, this isn’t good news. For all of his flaws, Mitch was quite pro-Ukraine. Now we run the risk of both houses of Congress having a Republican leader who’s pro-Putin. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/75 "2024-02-29T17:11:13Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Now we run the risk of both houses of Congress having a Republican leader who’s pro-Putin. Are there any people in Congress that use the old/Soviet/Putin styling of calling it “The Ukraine”? ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/76 "2024-02-29T17:16:46Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I bet if he were on the other side of the aisle, the Dems here would talk about what a genius he was at playing politics and how he put those nasty Republicans in their place (cue National Anthem and releasing a bald eagle). What I see from the liberals on the Dope is a constant – sometimes tedious – insistence on us being better than them. At a non-trivial cost to the party. What I do _not_ see is a cry for the kind of Machiavellian tactics that constitute the bulk of the Republicans’ playbook. I reject your premise out of hand. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/77 "2024-02-29T17:24:56Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > What I do _not_ see is a cry for the kind of Machiavellian tactics that constitute the bulk of the Republicans’ playbook. > > I reject your premise out of hand. Two words Harry Reid. Remember he was proud that he felt he cost Mitt Romney the presidency after admitting he lied about Romney’s taxes. > What I do _not_ see is a cry for the kind of Machiavellian tactics that constitute the bulk of the Republicans’ playbook. If you think the Democrats on this board would not laud a Blue no-holds-barred` do-whatever-it-takes strategy to deny Trump the presidency in 2024 along with all the MAGAs in Congress losing, then I’ll say you have more faith in them than what I have seen with the vitriol they spew on this board. But of course they will rationalize their use of the ends justify the means as “for the good of the country”. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/78 "2024-02-29T17:26:20Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Two words > Harry Reid. _Three_ words: Warren Gamaliel Harding. Just how far back should we all go in order to support our position on an issue like this? > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > If you think the Democrats on this board would not {SNIP} Yeah. It’s hard to get much more straw man-ish than that approach. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/79 "2024-02-29T17:40:11Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Two words > Harry Reid. > Remember he was proud that he felt he cost Mitt Romney the presidency after admitting he lied about Romney’s taxes. The statement in question isn’t, “Sometimes Democrat politicians play dirty tricks,” the statement in question is, “Democratic voters applaud dirty tricks when they’re done by Democrats.” Do you have any support for the second statement? The one you actually made and are getting pushback on? ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242/80 "2024-02-29T18:49:47Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I wonder what that means? I’d take it as a variant of, “He says what he means and he means what he says.” I haven’t seen how McConnell campaigns - maybe he’s as big of a lying liar as any other politician on the campaign trail, talking to the salt of the Earth - but my general impression is that if he doesn’t have anything good to say or anything that he could explain in simple terms, he simply demurs from comment rather than say something negative, lying, or trying to spin an unpopular opinion. This isn’t to say that he isn’t to blame for a whole lot of issues with how things work in Congress. But my view would be that - like pretty much everyone in Congress - there’s a limit to what they can do and say when the voters are all fired up and ready to murder or oust anyone that doesn’t comply with their demands - no matter how stupid. I think that there’s more that could be done than simply smiling, throwing the voters a few bones, and doing what you were going to do anyways to keep things running. He could have changed the rules on how the Senate runs to favor bipartisanship, using Trump’s general mantra of “No one has any right to review our choices” as a cover story to make everything that happens in the Senate largely secret and unreviewable - for one example. I guess he still has the better part of a year. Hopefully, he’ll spend some of it undoing the damage that he’s dealt the country by playing to the crowd and giving them the game of political hardball that they loved to see all the headlines about. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-mitch-mcconnell-r-ky-to-step-down-as-leader-2-28-2024/998242.md?page=5)