It seems to me from the Democrats’ point of view, that NOT having a special election is better for them, since right now, McConnell can’t vote so Repubs are down a senator and they have less chance of passing partisan legislation without him. The sooner there’s a special election, the sooner Repubs have another vote back for their side (in a special election he would definitely be replaced by a repub).
If the governor (a Dem) could appoint someone (he can’t according to a KY law), then I see how it would make sense for repubs to keep the illusion going that McConnell will return. But as it stands, I don’t see why covering up his condition is doing repubs any good, in terms of the magic Aug. 3rd date or a special election.
So my biggest concern is the possibility that McConnell really is going to recover and return to the Senate. That would be a damn shame. But he’s retiring after this the term anyway, so I dunno-- maybe all this cover-up is just so they can say he finished out his term.
So? That’s got nothing to do with it. Red states commonly switch parties on governors but not senators. I’m in Kansas, which also has a Democratic governor. But it hasn’t had a Democratic senator since 1939. Cook Political Report rates the KY senate race as Solid R.
But others have mentioned the possibility that they’re afraid Massie could win, which does sound like a more likely possibility.
It seems to me from the Democrats’ point of view, that NOT having a special election is better for them, since right now, McConnell can’t vote so Repubs are down a senator and they have less chance of passing partisan legislation without him. The sooner there’s a special election, the sooner Repubs have another vote back for their side (in a special election he would definitely be replaced by a repub).
If the governor (a Dem) could appoint someone (he can’t according to a KY law), then I see how it would make sense for repubs to keep the illusion going that McConnell will return. But as it stands, I don’t see why covering up his condition is doing repubs any good, in terms of the magic Aug. 3rd date or a special election.
So my biggest concern is the possibility that McConnell really is going to recover and return to the Senate. That would be a damn shame. But he’s retiring after this the term anyway, so I dunno-- maybe all this cover-up is just so they can say he finished out his term.
You’re taking it for a given that a Republican will win an election in Kentucky.
Yes, definitely.
They have a Democratic governor, you silly goose!
So? That’s got nothing to do with it. Red states commonly switch parties on governors but not senators. I’m in Kansas, which also has a Democratic governor. But it hasn’t had a Democratic senator since 1939. Cook Political Report rates the KY senate race as Solid R.
But others have mentioned the possibility that they’re afraid Massie could win, which does sound like a more likely possibility.