Mitch McConnell is not well. This happened today:
Mr. McConnell, 81, was taking questions from reporters after an event hosted by the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce when he was asked for his thoughts on running for re-election in 2026. Mr. McConnell, who appeared thinner and frailer than he has in recent months, began to answer the question with a slight chuckle when he abruptly stopped speaking, standing motionless behind a lectern with his mouth pursed and his eyes wide.
When an aide approached to ask if he had heard the question, he mumbled “yes,” but he seemed unable to continue speaking or to move.
I wish I believed in hell (other than that we create for ourselves on our third rock from the sun); if I did I’d be certain that McConnell was bound for a very toasty eternity. So I’m not going to pretend that his suffering offers any excuse for all the harm he’s wrought in power.
Still, I’ll admit to a certain empathy, if no sympathy; as I age and more bits work less well I do not wish that sense of encroaching limitation on myself or others. I don’t feel sorry for him; I do recognize that old age , as my grandmother-in-law was known to have said, is not for sissies.
Anyway, enough trying to parse my unwillingness to entertain a sense of earned punishment in these circumstances. The reality is that McConnell looks like he is really not in good shape. That leads directly to speculation on what comes once he is forced from the stage, whether by death or disability. I have no real insight, except to channel Clubber Lang’s prediction for his upcoming bout with Rocky:
It will mean a vacancy for at least a little while in the Senate, on the order of a month or so. KY law (changed in 2021 to hamstring its Democratic governor) requires the governor to appoint a senator from a list supplied by the state party to which the previous incumbent belonged. The seat must be filled within three weeks of receiving that list, and if I’m Andy Breashears, I’d wait till the last day the law allows. In the meantime, the GOP Senators would have to choose a new leader, a process that I’m sure will be marked by much hilarity.
Which is, I guess, an appropriate postscript to McConnell’s legacy: leaving all he touches worse for his passage through this time and place.
This thread is as open as the IHOP on Soldiers Field Road in Boston.
Image: Vincent van Gogh, Old man with a stick, 1882
MattF
Since the two ‘lapses’ we know about happened in public, one can assume it’s happening in private as well. So, it’s bad.
RaflW
Oh! He froze at the podium a second time. I imagine he’ll leave the Senate when dead, but that’s just so gruesome.
raven
And I’m worried because I had trouble balancing while deep sea fishing!
Ryan
Oh, that roach Thune will take over leadership. He swore to term limits back in the 90s if I recall correctly.
RaflW
Any of the top names bandied about as the possible next minority leader will be both more MAGA and more trashy than McConnell, and I gainsay they’ll be less effective and skilled.
To some extent that may not portend well for many of the nations residents in that there is and will continue to be real work for Congress to do, but it will make for some fascinating (to the terminally politically obsessed, ahem, like me) clownshow antics.
bbleh
Just a question of when, not if, and whether it happens gracefully or because of some public episode that can’t be talked away. Pretty sure the Republican Cardinals have been discussing the passing of the Pope for some time, and the transition will be smooth, as befits the Elders of the Grand Old Party
@RaflW: not entirely sure about that. Of the names I’ve seen discussed, one is indeed more MAGA, but he’s a freshman and I can’t see them electing him, and the others are either middle-of-the-road or old-line. They’re all at least MAGA-adjacent, of course, but so is McConnell.
oatler
He’ll exit like Tommy Cooper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-GEpsHM6ww
What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?
I read that Beshear thinks the law about appointing a replacement may be in violation of Kentucky’s constitution. If so he may be taking the issue to court which could delay things considerably. Or at least the threat gives him some leverage over who the nominees are.
JoyceH
@MattF: Just what I was thinking. Surely he doesn’t only freeze at a podium. And the smoothness of his staff – they’re familiar with this and know what to do.
MattF
Someone will make a grab for power, and there will be a split between MAGA and non-MAGA Senators. Not very different from the House, I predict.
Parfigliano
I hope he dies in public in agony twitching on the floor camera’s rolling. Fuck him
TriassicSands
I’ve come to believe that aging helps prepare us to accept death
I wish I knew what would get McConnell to accept retirement.
hotshoe
If I were a prayer-type person, I would pray that Mitch falls down dead in the Senate the next time this happens. Why? because I don’t want any of his corrupt supporters to be able to fake comfort that he “died peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones” — like telling your kids the sweet little lie that their sick doggie has gone to live at a farm out in the country.
Would it make any difference to the political outcome in the long run? Not really. But I’m petty, and I want them to be at least a little bit discomfited by the shock and the stink of their old man, dying as he lived to cause the most possible harm.
MobiusKlein
@Parfigliano:
As crass as that is, I have to agree. Fuck him
Feathers
LOL. Many memories of the Soldiers Field Road IHOP. In my friend group it was the location for where interventions were held to gather to convince a friend that a breakup was was really in her best interest. Or to offer consolation when someone was dumped. Or to celebrate when someone finally dumped the MF. It was actually kind of odd to go there with my family.
The Harvard Square IHOP is interesting to walk by because it’s almost entirely frequented by out of towners who are clearly relieved to be eating in someplace that they recognize from home.
RaflW
Another thing about McConnell: he has been prodigious at shaking down corporations and wealthy sh*ts for his PACs. Which are then (reportedly) quite ruthless and strategic about funding GOP Senate runs.
I don’t doubt that other Republican senators, and some holdover Mitchie campaign & PAC staffers, can raise money. But one does read about donor fatigue/disinterest/anxiety about the value of funding p.o.s. candidates like Tuberville.
So I hold some hope that ol’ Mitch riding into the sunset of his years also triggers some painful money challenges for the Grotesque Old Party.
jonas
Damn you, Onion!!
twbrandt
Pretty sure everyone’s grandmother said “growing old ain’t for sissies”. And they are right.
Tom Levenson
@Feathers: The Soldiers Field Road IHOP played an important role in post excess carbohydrate cures while I was in college–back when I still thought that the house blueberry “syrup” was edible.
Steeplejack
@raven:
You’re fine as long as you don’t fall off the boat!
Tom Levenson
@twbrandt: I totally believe that.
I believe I’ve already said much the same to my son.
Elizabelle
@Parfigliano: Yep. And Grassley, too.
Although I rather hope Grassley will get prosecuted over J6 ties. So he can survive a bit, if that happens. Otherwise, to hell with him too.
I love that Jay said, on the previous thread, that McConnell actually had an “out of shell” moment.
FastEdD
It has been said here before, and this is not an original thought, that Mitch’s replacement cannot possibly be announced in an election year. Or the year before an election year. Or the year after. Or when the law constraining the Kentucky’s Governor’s actions is under appeal. Because I so wish for karma to take a giant bite out of McConnell’s ass.
Mai Naem mobileI
@Ryan: i thought it was between Thune, Cornyn and Barrasso. My money’s on Cornyn. For several reasons but the biggie is that he’s from Texas.
The second time I looked at the clip today, I noticed that Mitch really looks like he’s lost some weight.
RaflW
@bbleh: Fair enough. Thune for instance isn’t actively MAGA, but I think he’d be weak tea in comparison in holding any line against the right flank of the Senate GOP caucus.
Cornyn may try to pretend he’s not MAGA, but he does the asinine social media stunts, posturing and hand waiving that is as good (bad) as MAGA.
Right this second, enjoying lake breezes and a surprising lack of power boats 2 days before a major holiday on my patio, I don’t have the gumption to look up who names 3 & 4 are.
So, I stand down at least in part from my claim!
Wyatt Salamanca
My wish for Mitch McConnell is what Ezra Klein once wished for Tim Russert: “Fuck him with a spiky acid-tipped dick”
jonas
I think some others were throwing this out there on another thread today, but Schumer should approach McConnell (or McConnell’s people, as the situation may warrant) and offer a deal — you let us replace Feinstein on the JC, and we’ll agree to seat your replacement (on whatever committees he’s on) without any trouble.
We can’t have some of the most important positions in the US government held indefinitely by people who are literally at death’s door and not cognitively competent, regardless of how much their staff can keep things running. I think Feinstein would probably step back if she were assured that her replacement would be immediately seated on the JC, but Republicans (of course) are being shitheels about that. Maybe that calculus will change now, especially if some of the Repubs waiting in the wings, like John Thune, decide to make a move.
RaflW
@twbrandt: As someone called a sissy from time to time growing up, I hope this isn’t actually true!!
gene108
I’m jealous of Moscow Mitch.
I wish I loved my job enough to immediately go back to work, after sitting down for a few minutes, after suffering a mini-stroke. If I had a mini-stroke, I’d take a week off at least.
Spanky
Count me as another one who wants Mitch the Glitch to kick it in the middle of a press conference. Fuck ’em, indeed.
New Deal democrat
First of all, as others have noted, in additional to the obvious neurological issue, McConnell looks really gaunt. It would not surprise me if he fails to make it to Election Day at all.
Second, Kentucky law apparently requires the governor to name a Republican as his replacement. But does the law require that the replacement be a current resident of Kentucky? Probably not.
If so, allow me to recommend the perfect replacement: Merrick Garland. Karma is a bitch.
randy khan
One should not discount the possibility that he ends up too disabled to resign. It’s not a high probability event, but if it happened, it would be a real mess for Senate Republicans.
Other MJS
It has long bewildered me what guys like TIFG, Mitch, and a host of others think is the best use of their remaining time on Earth. Although I could well imagine that Trump doesn’t even understand that he’s mortal.
C Stars
@raven: Yeah, watching this just makes me think of all the distracting and awful migraine symptoms I’ve had lately. It’s scary to watch someone have health issues, even if that person is an evil jerk.
sab
@Wyatt Salamanca: Ezra Klein said that? About Russert? Really? Why?
C Stars
@gene108: I wish I loved my job enough to immediately go back to work, after sitting down for a few minutes, after suffering a mini-stroke. If I had a mini-stroke, I’d take a week off at least.
My favorite comment thus far.
dnfree
@jonas:
This was my exact thought also. Work out a deal for both McConnell and Feinstein to retire, along with allowing for replacement of Feinstein on the judiciary committee. It’s in everybody’s interest.
sab
@Mai Naem mobileI: Also too because he is the least intelligent of them. Republicans these days do not respect intelligence.
mrmoshpotato
@Tom Levenson:
Go Bears! Oh wait…
Jay
@dnfree:
since when do ReThugs have anybody’s “best interest”* in mind?
*Other than their Donors,……
Dan B
@randy khan: I like the idea of McConnell being too disabled to resign and the GOP thrashing about.
eclare
@mrmoshpotato:
That was my first thought too…there is an IHOP at Soldier Field?
Mai Naem mobileI
@jonas: that is an excellent idea but I have zero trust in the GOP keeping their end of the bargain. Especially if Mitch McConnell is involved in any way.
Elizabelle
@Dan B: Absolutely.
Wyatt Salamanca
@sab:
I don’t know what prompted Ezra Klein to tweet that comment, but it perfectly fits McConnell given all the harm he’s done to our country. He’s pure, unadulterated scum.
bbleh
@RaflW: I applaud your judgment
Jackie
@Mai Naem mobileI: I wonder who Biden secretly hopes will replace McTurtle – if the time is near – as minority leader between Thune, Cornyn and Barrasso.
Cornyn has been willing to work across the aisle with Schumer and Biden; Barrasso and Thune appear more TIFG supportive.
Ken
I’m still holding out hope that a bunch of ambitious Kentucky Republicans get into a fight about what names will be on the short list sent to the governor, and it takes them a couple of months to agree. If at that point one of the losers sued over the constitutionality of the law, that’s just icing on the cake.
Baud
@Ken:
A good old fashioned Andrew Jackson style Kentucky duel would not be unwelcome.
MomSense
McConnell worked to take health care away from millions of us. I still remember how stressful the lead up to that vote was and staying up to watch it (not that I could have slept anyway). Ended up tweeting with Karoli at crooks and liars as we both worried and watched. Fuck him. He’s a goddamned domestic terrorist.
I read recently that Steve Scalise was diagnosed with cancer. Fuck fucking cancer and fuck Steve Scalise. He has fantastic health benefits provided by us the taxpayers and he also has voted multiple times to take away our health care.
ETA fixed asshole’s name
wjca
@sab:
Fixed that for you.
Baud
@MomSense:
Deleted.
MomSense
@Baud:
damned auto correct. I fixed all the ducks and duckings but missed the first spelling of his name.
kalakal
TurtleMan’s continuing to be propped up in public office reminds me of the old joke about the increasingly decrepit geriatrics that the Soviets had as General Secretaries.
“Why does Andropov never make State Visits to other countries? Brezhnev went all the time”
“Breznhev ran on batteries. Andropov needs an extension cord”
sab
@Wyatt Salamanca: Missed Ezra Klein tweet or xeet. About Russert? I like and respect Klein since the amazing work he did on Obamacare. That was complicated in the weeds technical stuff and he just jumped in and started chomping. Was he even old enough to drive then? Yet everyone followed him. As a person uninsured in my late fifties I followed him like my life depended on it, because it did. And he never failed me.
Matt Yglesias on the other hand failed me every chance he got, because he never actually cared about what he covered. He just wanted a reporting job, and he went eventually with the guys who did not care if he did good work.
Jackie
@Baud: I’m sure MomSense has said fuck Scalia multiple times in the past😉 As have we all.
MomSense
@Jackie:
At least he is still fucking dead!
Jackie
@MomSense: Amen!
lowtechcyclist
@What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?:
IANAL, but just for the hell of it, I took a quick skim through the Kentucky constitution. Two things: one, it gives the power to appoint replacements to the governor, and two, it’s quite adamant that none of the branches can step on another’s turf.
At least, that’s my nonlawyerly reading.
eclare
@MomSense:
So true. I stayed up to watch that vote too, texting with a friend also on an ACA plan.
MomSense
@eclare:
It was such a vicious thing to do. And for McConnell, who had polio as a child and received treatment from our government, to turn around and work to deny fellow citizens access to health care is too evil for words.
ArchTeryx
Personally think Beshear should force them to sue him. Arrange an extended leave. Delay those MFs as long as humanly possible. Let a judge appoint the Senator. The idea is not to win, but to inflict as much pain on the Rs as possible.
Baud
@MomSense:
To be fair, I’m pretty sure that’s the Republican Party’s motto.
mrmoshpotato
@eclare: I don’t think so, but I would totally eat some pancakes, or waffles, or Fench toast at a Bears game.
karen marie
@MattF: I’m surprised there hasn’t been any media speculation about McConnell’s replacement.
I think we can agree that if this were Schumer, the punditry outcry for his resignation would have been immediate well before these “freezing” episodes. It would have started when he turned up with bizarre bruising on his hands and face like McConnell did in 2020.
FlyingToaster
The Soldiers Field IHOP may be going away: Link
Which will suck because that’s where the theater kids from WarriorTeen’s high school go after Friday night performances. They tried going to a mexican joint in Lex after one performance last year, and voted to “NOT DO THAT AGAIN”.
Citizen Alan
@Other MJS: Evil. They will cling to life as long as they can so they can do as much evil as possible.
JGreen
@twbrandt: So, what if you are a sissie, like me? Does that mean you don’t have to “do” old age? I’d love that. I’m in my mid-60’s and I’m definitely not aging well or comfortably. I’d kind of like to go now while I’m still reasonably healthy instead of having everything fall apart a little bit at a time over the next 20 years. I know I’m not bad enough off to do what’s often called “something foolish”, but, hell, I don’t want to be freezing at a podium either. Some choice.
Jay
@sab:
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/noel-sheppard/2008/01/16/prominent-liberal-bloggers-vulgar-attack-tim-russert
sab
@wjca: You over fixed it. They like stupidity. Did you mean they disrespect intelligence, or don’t disrespect disintelligence?
We’re on the same side, and just disagreeing about how bad and how stupid they are. That probably depends on which of them we are focussing on.
mrmoshpotato
@MomSense: LOL! 🎉
eclare
@MomSense:
Vicious is the perfect word for it. The endless worry about whether or not our government would take away health care, as if health care were a cup of coffee that would suck for a day, but no biggie.
KenK
@JoyceH: I disagree. True, they may have some recent experience with these episodes, but after his first freeze, it’s unconscionable they asked for a follow up question rather than escort him off the stage.
MisterDancer
The law requires the Governor to chose from a list:
Jay
@JGreen:
basic rules for getting old,
#1 hydrate
#2 stretch before any strenuous exercise like lifting something or putting socks on
#3 never trust a fart.
Almost Retired
I want Mitch to hang on through his regularly-scheduled strokes, while his three potential successors, Thune, Barasso and Cornyn, scheme and plot and backstab behind the scenes. Like Goneril, Regan and Cordelia while King Lear/Mitch descends into madness. With the same outcome.
pluky
The IHOP on Soldiers’ Field Road!?!?!? Having serious flash backs to late night post Landsdowne munching in the ‘80s. Now if only I could disassociate this from the contemporaneous horror that was grad school.
mrmoshpotato
@Jay: #1 always true
#2 yes
#3 HAHAHAHAHA!
Sister Golden Bear
Meanwhile in TN, a county DA promised to prosecute a Pride event over drag queens in defiance of a federal judge’s declaring the law unconstitutional.
Apparently laws only apply if Republicans feel like obeying them.
Also spare a thought for trans kids in Missouri, where a total ban on their trans healthcare took effect yesterday.
kindness
Democrats should offer to trade one elderly McConnel’s replacement for one elderly DiFi’s replacement.
Baud
@Sister Golden Bear:
Does West Tennessee have a different attorney general?
owlbrick
@ArchTeryx: Honestly, it’s far too close to the next election to appoint someone who isn’t tainted by the political process. He will just have to decline to perform that task until the people can best choose his replacement.
Baud
@kindness:
Feinstein is more valuable than McConnell. We should also demand a Senator to be named later.
sab
@Jay: Also too if things hurt there might be a fixable medical not drastic condition (vitamin D deficiencies can make you hurt, feel tired, or feel depressed.) Low D does that . So does low B12. Don’t self- diagnose. Too much of one vitamin mimics to little of another. Just do basic medical care where they test you.
Captain C
@hotshoe:
I suspect that’s what he wants.
brendancalling
I don’t have a drop of sympathy or empathy for that horrible, destructive man. I wish him nothing but the worst. I hope he dies alone—I know his daughters aren’t speaking to him over Kavanaugh.
I also hope his passing is nice and slow.
Baud
@Captain C:
There are worse places to fall down dead.
hotshoe
@dnfree:
Sorry, no. No deal. Great idea if we lived in a sane world, but we don’t.
Cannot trust anything which ReThugs would promise to get Feinstein off the Judiciary Committee.
What would be the repercussions, if they pinkie-promise to let Newsom’s Dem appointee take Feinstein’s seat, then they renege?
None, of course, no repercussions, which is why those scorpions would not even think twice before killing the deal.
wjca
@sab:
Definitely on the disrespect intelligence side. As in, it’s not just a passive lack of respect. It’s active aversion. Apologies if I fat fingered it.
sab
@Jay: That was a long time ago and a primary. Very fucked up, but not an urgent moment. Also healthcare. He ( Ezra) and Hillary were committed and at that time Obama pretended he wasn’t.
sab
@wjca: Gotcha. Clear to me now.
JPL
@Baud: Why not a few supreme court judges since he stole those from us.
Mitch would even lie from his grave.
Dan B
@Sister Golden Bear: Because Drag Queens are “sex” and kids can’t be exposed, so they go with the Godly and…. at least 300 pastors are convicted of sexual abuse of kids in the US every year. And there are probably many more who aren’t caught or convicted. So let’s fight the terror of Drag Queens!!
And what does the GOP do for traumatized kids?
Ohio Mom
@MomSense: I believe the type of cancer Steve Scalise has Is very treatable. We can hope for a rough time with the chemo though. Lots of agonizing side effects.
Mai Naem mobileI
@Jackie: I wonder if Cornyn has any sway with the House Texas GOP. That would be one reason to want him. All three are awful people. Barrasso reminds me of Jon Kyl who was a background workhorse who did a lot of damage. Thune just comes across as an opportunist. I can’t be bothered to look it up but I think Barrasso’s been there the longest so Biden may have the most experience with him.
Elizabelle
@hotshoe: Also, why should DiFi’s spot on Judiciary go to the newly appointed California Senator? Why not a longer serving Democrat?
Roger Moore
@Parfigliano:
I don’t want McConnell to die in agony. I want him to spend the rest of his term just disabled enough he can’t come in and vote in the Senate, but not enough he decides to retire and let another Republican take his place. Then he has permission to die in agony.
wjca
@hotshoe:
Perhaps an overly simplistic solution, but suppose her replacement were seated on the Judiciary Committee before she resigned. Making it harder to renege on the deal.
Jay
@sab:
I’m not holding anything against Ezra, just placing the comment into the context in which is was made.
I have said worse things about people, justly deserved, to their face.
Jay
@Dan B:
drag queens are scary,…… all that makeup,…… over the top glitter,….. those wigs,……. those outfits,…… the glamour,……. the flamboyance,…….. the joy,….. the talent,…….. those heels,……. the fact that most of the time they have NFLTG,………
Elizabelle
OK, number 101.
Off to the pool. Beloved pool closes on Labor Day. I has a sad.
sab
@Ohio Mom: I was literally months checking my e-ail after this awful summer.
Found your message months later.
Do you still want a meetup? My e-mail still works. I will check it timely. I assume we’d be working towards late September or early October. Early September is school and High Holidays.
I feel liked I stomped on Manyakitty when I didn’t mean to
ETA Stomped on or ignored others.
Mai Naem mobileI
@MomSense: I wonder if anybody ever done a study of congress critters and cancer rates. It sure seems like a lot of them get cancer but I don’t know if its an abnormally high number or if it’s caught early because they’re VIPs with good health coverage so more cancer gets identified. I was wondering if Scalise’s is related to him being from the cancer alley area in LA.
Steve in the ATL
@lowtechcyclist: indeed it does, but what are the odds that the Kentucky Supreme Court acknowledges that a democratic governor has such rights?
Feathers
@FlyingToaster: This is sad news. We truly do need the affordable housing, but 24 hour restaurants are something else a city needs, especially a college town.
I’m sure some of the issue is that locals have diners they go to when they have a pancake craving. I must confess I haven’t been there in close to 20 years, but the parking lot seems full enough when driving by.
*Shoutout to the Arlington Diner and Restaurant, fine purveyor of all your breakfast favorites, plus a good selection of Greek main dishes, sandwiches, and hearty lunch specials that rotate daily. How good is it? They close at 3pm.
sab
@Mai Naem mobileI: Or just to much cellphone usage. That was another theory.
The Kropenhagen Interpretation
@eclare: Boston (Brighton)
sab
@Jay: Useful info, if in context, which you did.
JWR
I have a question. Has Feinstein said anything about agreeing to give up her seat in exchange for anything like a grand Judiciary Committee bargain, let alone a “promise” from the Repubs to keep their word about anything?
Elizabelle
First Belarus, and now Haiti. I feel so badly for the [law-abiding] Haitians. I wish we could help them. Should def bring in more Haitians on a temporary protected status visa.
Miami Herald:
As Haiti descends further into chaos, State Department tells Americans to leave now
mrmoshpotato
@The Kropenhagen Interpretation: Bahston!
Dan B
@Jay: Yep, joy – Neo Calvinists can’t have that, or any fabulousness.
Drag Queens bring the joy.
Feathers
@Mai Naem mobileI: I suspect it is that they are old and that people with serious/long term health issues generally don’t run for the Senate.
Raoul Paste
McConnell “was asked for his thoughts on running for re-election in 2026“
I think he answered that question
Geminid
@hotshoe: Senate Democrats may not have leverage here. McConnell can retire at will, and he has no seat on any committee, much less one as consequential as Judiciary. And Democrats have no assurance that they will be in the majority next year, so they might not want to play hardball for a minor, temporary advantage.
I have to hope Senator Feinstein stays physically able and sufficiently lucid long enough to help confirm as many good judges as possible.
After Feinstein can’t, Biden’s people may have to work out nominees with Lindsay Graham, or Graham and Lisa Murkowski if she’s on the Judiciary Commitee.
JPL
@JWR: At this point she seems to nod in agreement to her aides.
Jackie
@Elizabelle: A new (freshman) senator wouldn’t be put on the JC. That’s a separate step from replacing DiFi in the Senate. GQP can’t stop that. They CAN however refuse to let another Dem replace her on the JC until Jan ‘25. Thus being back in the spot we were in while DiFi was absent while recovering from the shingles. Not having a majority to get judges confirmed.
MomSense
@Dan B:
I told my mom that we couldn’t go see my kid’s band play Saturday night because I’m supposed to spend the weekend with dad’s side of the family upta camp. Then I found out that the band is playing following the Life’s a Drag show and now I’m contemplating a ridiculous amount of driving to be able to do both.
I was talking to my son about it and didn’t realize the band has a relationship with a number of local performers who lived in the same building as one of the band members. They all used to party together.
piratedan
@sab: Russert also used his perch on the Sunday show he hosted to lob softballs to GOP guests and often placed Dem guests on toes with dubious GOP framing of questions. He was admired as being “hard-hitting, no nonsense” for those journalistic chops but it was frequently seen that the playing field he maintained was seriously tilted.
The fact that his shoes were then filled by Chuck Todd… well it pretty much meant that any actual journalism of GOP positions was NOT going to be found in the morning on Sundays anywhere on TV.
HumboldtBlue
@Elizabelle:
So close!
Miki
@What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?: If he really believes it’s unconstitutional, he’ll appoint someone not on the R list and the Rs will take him to court. Not the familiar with KY’s highest court but not optimistic.
New Deal democrat
@MisterDancer: Dang. Well it was a nice thought while it lasted.
smith
Huh. A couple days ago a diarist at the GOS had a story about how the Goober states just love them some child beauty pageants. For a minute there I thought you were talking about them. Except, of course, that those contests are much more sexualized than drag shows.
Dan B
@MomSense: The combo of performances sounds great. You may have a looong Saturday. And a memorable one.
Dan B
@smith: The sexualization of little girls in those beauty pageants is awful. Plus misogyny and a lack of joy or fun.
Ohio Mom
@sab: Yes, let’s have a meet-up in Columbus!
It turned out that Ohio Family’s trip to Cleveland was very hectic so a meet-up in Columbus will find me much more relaxed.
Now that you found my letter, write me back and I will send you my cell and we can text our planning (unless you don’t text).
All we need now is a Jackal in the Columbus area to research a location. Is there one?
hotshoe
@Geminid:
Yep, the disparity between what ReThugs would be “giving up” if they retire Mitch this year (that is, giving up nothing of consequence whatsoever) versus what Dems would be giving up if Feinstein is forced to retire or is too ill to attend committee meetings — that’s a good reason not to hope for any deal.
Sister Golden Bear
@Elizabelle: Meanwhile Canada issues a travel advisory for LGTBQ+ people traveling to the United States.
JWR
@JPL:
That seems to be about it. But for now, and barring a more serious health issue, I’d guess the status quo is our best bet.
Danielx
OT but….there are so many things wrong with this. “Democratic prosecutors”? WTF?
https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/4178863-two-ways-democratic-prosecutors-could-be-botching-the-trump-prosecutions/
Origuy
The problem with Feinstein retiring before her term is out is that it creates a dilemma for Gavin Newsom. Back in 2021, after appointing Alex Padilla to replace Kamala Harris, Newsom promised that if DiFI resigned, he would appoint a Black woman. The obvious candidate in Barbara Lee, who is running for the election in 2024. But making her a senator now gives her a big edge on her competitors. Presumably, Newsom either has a different preference or simply doesn’t want to take sides at this point. He needs a Black woman to be a caretaker, who doesn’t want to stay in the job. Oprah has been suggested; I’m not sure that’s a serious idea.
Omnes Omnibus
@Danielx: He is a Republican campaign consultant.
Odie Hugh Manatee
It’s fitting that he’s being silenced after having spent his life saying and doing shit that has ruined many innocent lives. All while his party implodes and wraps its arms around the anchor known as Don John.
Silence is golden, especially his.
eclare
@smith:
That’s an interesting point…
Odie Hugh Manatee
@Danielx:
It an opinion piece and opinions are like assholes, especially when uttered by an ass like this writer. It’s another “you’ll regret prosecuting him” fluff piece by a conservative (the “Democratic prosecutors” is a good clue) who wants to poison the waters some more.
It’s to be expected from The Hill as they aren’t fit to print and wipe with.
David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch
@Origuy:
He could appoint Kerry Washington. She has a lot of experience in DC.
oatler
@piratedan:
And let’s not forget Dancin’ Dave.
Brachiator
@Origuy:
I can’t imagine that anyone would accept such a pointless appointment. And black voters in California would rightly view this as an insult.
smith
@eclare: Turns out the real groomers are ambitious stage mothers. And those little girls are undoubtedly primed for exploitation by their youth pastors.
Mai Naem mobileI
@Origuy: if TFG can be POTUS Oprah can be a caretaker senator and,no, I am not suggesting we go the celebrity route. I find it difficult to believe that there is no other appropriately qualified black woman in California Newsom can appoint in a caretaker position. As far as Newsom’s promise just put out some well worded explanation. He didn’t want to get into a primary blah blah blah. Mitch McConnell didn’t get punished for pulling the crap on Merrick Garland and Amy Coney Barrett and that was for a lifetime position on SCOTUS. This is a short term senate gig for one state.
lgerard
@FlyingToaster:
You can take solace in the knowledge that the profits earmed by the developer Trammell Crow will enable Harlan Crow to buy more judges
Timill
@Mai Naem mobileI: He should tell the truth: the procedure for replacing a Rep takes an extended time, and we need all the D reps we can get.
lowtechcyclist
@Steve in the ATL:
Approximately zero, but it gives him room to drag out the process. The goal, I figure, is to deny the KY GOP a Senator of their choosing for as long as possible.
At the very least, when the GOP leadership in the KY legislature takes Beshear to court over it, it won’t go directly to the KY SC: it’ll go to the lowest level court, and will have to be appealed upward, and each level gives room for all the usual legal stalling and maneuvering.
But even before that, Beshear can fake attempts at negotiations with the KY GOP leadership, saying that he’s got the Constitutional right to pick the replacement himself, but if they are willing to agree to a compromise pick….so you get a bit of back-and-forth going there, and then negotiations break down and Beshear finally appoints a Dem to fill Mitch’s seat: what happens in D.C.?
Article I, Section 5 says each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members, but what does that mean in practice? Can this judgment be filibustered, or do the Dems just need 50 votes + Harris? What happens if Beshear’s replacement is admitted to the Senate – can the KY Supremes undo that?
Lots of ways this could get tangled up for awhile, is my thought. And the more ways and the longer the while, the better for the Dems.
Suzanne
@Ohio Mom: And is there a date for the meetup? I was planning to attend, but my mom’s surgery and recovery may interfere.
eclare
@smith:
Absolutely, looking at those little girls being sexualized gives me the creeps. I had just never thought about the comparison with drag queens, who are adults and free to choose how they present themselves to the world.
Omnes Omnibus
@Ohio Mom: You may want to consider something in the Short North (the area between downtown and the OSU campus. Fairly lively and bougie-artsy). Mac’s is a good Scottish pub. There are a lot of bars (and cafes if that is more in tune with the group) in the area.
Steve in the ATL
@Omnes Omnibus: Ohio Mom is pretty wild—a cafe won’t cut it for her!
Omnes Omnibus
@Steve in the ATL: I mentioned bars first. Swinging from the chandeliers wild or burgundy for breakfast wild? I could come up with a couple of ideas in either case.
Steve in the ATL
@Omnes Omnibus: at our last Cincinnati meetup, she was knocking back tequila shots and showing off her “Cancun, bitchez!” tramp stamp while her husband, cintibud—always the card—put a lampshade on his head. Twas a night to remember!
NB: all this Delta wine may be affecting my memory tonight….
Juju
I watched the video twice and I thought I saw the shadow of a cloaked figure in the background.
Omnes Omnibus
@Steve in the ATL:
She might want something closer to the campus then.
Ruckus
@TriassicSands:
As someone unreasonably up into senioritis and who worked 7 yr after most retire, and has seen a lot of relatives buried, I really don’t think that’s true. Sure you know it’s closer than when you were 10, and you do slow down, but accepting it? I mean I participated in a sport where people do die, I’ve been to their funerals, and I’ve been to a lot of extended family funerals and am the oldest living person in my extended family, but accepting it? I’m not ready, I’m not thinking of getting ready. Now maybe I will change my mind when I get a lot farther along this aging thing, but it sure as hell isn’t happening now.
Elizabelle
@Juju: With a scythe.
Ohio Mom
@Omnes Omnibus: Yeah, I know Short North. Ohio Family has taken a lot of day trips to Columbus. Maybe we will have to take another one soon for some recon.
@Suzanne: No date yet but probably sometime in October. While the weather is still nice.
@Steve in the ATL: Lol
wjca
@Ruckus:
It sounds so, so familiar. A decade past when most people retire, I’m still getting a W-2 routinely.
As for the longer term, I have committed to taking a checkpoint at 150, to see how things are going. Got plenty of stuff I want to do yet to fill up at least that far.
columbusqueen
Jackie
@Mai Naem mobileI: Maybe a short term senator who would be interested in running for Congress in ‘24? If Newsom chose someone from Schiff’s or Lee’s or Porter’s districts that could give that person a possible edge and name recognition.
columbusqueen
@Ohio Mom: The Short North is iffy right now because construction is limiting parking. Plank’s on High Street in German Village is a possibility. Can come up with more places later.
Omnes Omnibus
@columbusqueen: Send ’em to the Beck Tavern, and see if they can find their way out of German Village when they come out.
@columbusqueen: Plank’s is a great idea. It even has parking. I used to live just a couple of blocks away.
columbusqueen
There’s also several food halls, including Budd Dairy in Italian Village & Open Air at Hudson & Neil. Can check on a couple of microbreweries in East Franklinton.
Captain C
@Baud: It’ll be nice and easy to bring him to wherever he’ll be lying in state.
Steve in the ATL
@Omnes Omnibus: seems apropos: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VkCg-3nxT8E
columbusqueen
@Omnes Omnibus: Open Air Food Hall is north of campus.
If folks are willing to go north into Beechwold, there’s a great diner & bar called Over the Counter; I’m a regular. The food is very good, there’s plenty of booze, & it’s pretty affordable. There’s parking too.
Omnes Omnibus
@Steve in the ATL: I saw Beck live when I was living in C-bus. I was not as impressed with him as he seemed to be with himself.
Steve in the ATL
@Omnes Omnibus: could have been the magic underwear
Ruckus
@twbrandt:
Gran has been gone for decades, it’s my turn now!
“Growing fucking old ain’t for sissies!!!!”
More words of wisdom from experience
Get someone else to do it with you so you can laugh at each other.
frosty
@jonas: The last line is the kicker. Go read it everyone!
Ruckus
@wjca:
Ambitious aren’t we….
Good luck, hope it goes well. I want to make a century, if only that not many men seem to do that. In the 50 oldest living humans, the youngest is 112, oldest is 116 1/2 yrs, there are 2 men in the group – the oldest of the 2 men is 114 yrs. I have a ways to go.
Regnad Kcin
@Feathers: I can still hear the HUB yelling “Jump! Jump! Jump!” in that vicinctity… Now it’s a f’ing IHOP. Truly, the worst timeline.
brendancalling
@Parfigliano: i hope he shits his pants on tv while he dies. Just because.
brendancalling
@MomSense: that Scalise scumbag once described himself as “David Duke without the baggage.” I hope his expiration date is soon, and I hope the myeloma hurts.
Paul in KY
@TriassicSands: Being old and decrepit does, I guess, get us more accepting than if we functioned for 90 years as we did in our 20s up until day we drop dead.
Paul in KY
@FastEdD: Supposedly the one Mitch and GQP wants is currently running for Gov against Gov Beshear. This being the odious Daniel Cameron.
Paul in KY
@Omnes Omnibus: There’s a street that borders the campus that must have 10 blocks of restaurants/bars.
MinuteMan
It’s a sad commentary on the American system that we so often have to wait for old age to remove awful politicians and judges (which are fast becoming more like politicians).
I gotta get out of this place
@gene108: I don’t think he’s having strokes. He had a head injury not too long ago. I think he’s having petit mal epileptic seizures. You freeze and kind of just blank out for a few seconds as opposed to having a full epileptic seizure. Any brain injury can cause epileptic seizures, which can be permanent or just temporary as the brain heals. Since his staff seems to know what to do when these freezes occur, it’s safe to assume it’s happened more than just the two times we’ve seen.