# Stick a fork in Mitch McConnell, 'cos he's done **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 21, 2022, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141 "2022-01-21T02:48:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/41 "2022-01-21T17:50:39Z")
I think the argument is a bad one, and also that this and many other arguments Mitch McConnell makes are made in bad faith (though not all). The most obvious reason this argument is not compelling is we don’t have a counterfactual to see at what rate Black Americans would vote if they had as much easy access to ballots as others do. But I also think that his statement here is neither a justification of disenfranchisement nor is it a suggestion that the _real_ Americans are white. It’s a moderately awkwardly worded statement that has one obvious interpretation that is a fairly straightforward claim. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/42 "2022-01-21T18:23:06Z")
Never mind ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/43 "2022-01-21T18:29:39Z")
Which is why they’re still at it. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/44 "2022-01-21T18:44:59Z")
> [@iamthewalrus\_3](#): > > Is that what it was doing? Yes, that’s what he was doing. Since the last election, especially in Georgia, Florida, and Texas (especially Georgia), laws have been passed that will make it harder for African Americans to vote. This was done on purpose, because the Republicans were blindsided by the loss of both senate seats in Georgia. The Senate was trying to pass several election laws that would make it harder to pass the kinds of laws that those states passed, so the Senate was trying to prevent the current and future disenfranchisement of African Americans. McConnell was against those bills, and pointed to the past, where the new Georgia (etc.) laws hadn’t passed yet. So, he was saying that in order to justify voting against bills that were trying to prevent the disenfranchisement of African Americans. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/45 "2022-01-21T18:52:00Z")
Or this fork. > **[Military fork](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_fork)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > A military fork is a pole weapon which was used in Europe between the 15th and 19th centuries. Like many polearms, the military fork traces its lineage to an agricultural tool, in this case the pitchfork. > Unlike a trident used for fishing, the military fork was rarely barbed and normally consisted only of two tines (prongs) which were straight compared to the original pitchfork. The pair of tines usually ran parallel or slightly flared. This weap... ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/46 "2022-01-21T18:54:11Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Which POTUS was it who gave a speech to Africans and accidentally referred to them as “African Americans”? This also begs the question - what if a White South African emigrated to the U.S. and became naturalized? Is he an African American? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/47 "2022-01-21T19:11:08Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Which POTUS was it who gave a speech to Africans and accidentally referred to them as “African Americans”? ISTR it was George W. Bush, referring to British citizens of African ancestry. I may be mis-remembering though. > [@Riemann](#): > > This also begs the question - what if a White South African emigrated to the U.S. and became naturalized? Is he an African American? Republican Blake Masters, a candidate for U.S. Senate in Arizona, called Elon Musk the ‘richest African American entrepreneur’ in the nation. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/48 "2022-01-21T19:28:27Z")
I don’t care if it’s a shrimp fork, as long as we ALL get a turn. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/49 "2022-01-21T19:35:18Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > as long as we ALL get a turn. Murder On The Orient Express? ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/50 "2022-01-21T19:40:31Z")
It was a stupid thing to say. Probably often untrue. I don’t see it making much difference in the long run, sadly. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/51 "2022-01-21T20:08:42Z")
> [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](#): > > “Substantially” is incorrect. The difference between white and AA turnout tends to be very small (to negative). Not in elections without Obama on the ticket. 2016 Non-hispanic white 65, non-hispanic black 60 (+5 net). 2020 Non-hispanic white 71, non-hispanic black 63 (+8 net). Source: [census.gov](https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/04/record-high-turnout-in-2020-general-election.html) > [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](#): > > Furthermore, if you normalize for income/education level, I would guess that AA turnout is substantially higher than white turnout Unless you plan to normalize reality for income/education level, it doesn’t really matter what you’d guess. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/52 "2022-01-21T23:05:15Z")
Would that include Australian Aborigines, who also refer to themselves as “black”? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/53 "2022-01-23T01:57:46Z")
never mind ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/54 "2022-01-23T02:00:21Z")
Bingo. He’s a racist representing racists, AKA a Republican. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/55 "2022-01-23T02:01:31Z")
To Hell with McConnell on this. All the grief the pubbies give President Biden over his speech impediment means they have no ground to stand on here. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/56 "2022-01-23T02:11:55Z")
Blacks aren’t real Americans, that’s what he meant. It was a Freudian slip. Pence made a similar slip previously. The GOP is a white supremacist movement, hence the fascist game show host that leads their party. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/57 "2022-01-23T15:50:28Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Bingo. He’s a racist representing racists, AKA a Republican. [Libertarian Inbreds] grumble grumble Rand Paul grumble grumble [/Libertarian Inbreds] ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/58 "2022-01-23T15:52:12Z")
Every Republican is some combination of evil and stupid, some are more stupid than evil; some are more evil than stupid. Some, like Paul, are split right down the middle. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/59 "2022-01-23T15:58:10Z")
Let’s not forget greedy. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141/60 "2022-01-23T16:15:34Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Every Republican is some combination of evil and stupid, some are more stupid than evil; some are more evil than stupid. > > Some, like Paul, are split right down the middle. Well, the GQP can’t take credit; they’d have to thank his neighbor for that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-mitch-mcconnell-cos-hes-done/958141.md?page=4)