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- [00:00]
Aaron
I just got back from Mitch McConnell's rehab facility, the George Washington University Hospital, where he still is there on day 51 of his treatment. Mitch McConnell's capital detail remains out front. And while today is a key day, I told you I'd go back there. It's a key Day because August 3rd was the day that many across the Internet and even in the political community believed that was the day the deadline for Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to potentially call a special election to be held between now and November to replace Mitch McConnell in the United States Senate and replace the remainder of his term. But Governor Beshear is throwing some cold water on the significance of today. And we're going to talk about what this means, the law behind it, and what I found at the hospital. The truth is Mitch McConnell remains. And while many people don't want me to report on this, many people get upset when I talk about this. Here's the thing. I'm not going to stop digging until the truth comes out. So make sure to hit that subscribe button if you can, like, comment, share, get the word out. And let's talk about Mitch McConnell. It's now been 51 days since Mitch McConnell was admitted to the George Washington University Hospital in Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C. it's a hospital that I've been at multiple times, both as a student and now as a journalist. And outside of the hospital, Mitch McConnell's security detail remains. Now, today is the key August 3rd deadline, and we're going to have information about what that means, if it means anything at all. But I want to show you what I found outside of the hospital today.
- [01:27]
Reporter
We're back outside the George Washington University hospital where Mitch McConnell's security Capitol Police detail is still out here right behind me in those black cars. Now, we do have important updates because today is August 3rd, and many people have been saying that this is a key deadline in the whole Mitch McConnell saga. There have been reports that August 3rd is the deadline by which Andy Beshear, the Kentucky governor, could essentially call a special election. Any day closer to November's election would be too close to have a special election. Well, today Governor Beshear threw cold water on any meeting on August 3rd. Today is meaningless, according to Governor Bashir. And he makes clear that not having Mitch McConnell in the United States Senate is actually a benefit for Democrats, given the fact he can't vote on Todd Blanche's confirmation or any other bill currently pending in the Senate. Now, the United States Senate is heading into a recess soon for the month of August and unlikely Mitch McConnell will be back in time by then. And then the Senate comes back in September. We'll see if Mitch McConnell is back by then. But his detail is still here. And there were a lot of questions, right, of is Mitch McConnell still at the hospital? His team says he's at a rehab facility. Well, here's the thing. If you look at the statement from the physician, it says that he was discharged from hospital care, not that he was discharged from the hospital. And the George Washington University Hospital has multiple rehab facilities both inside the hospital and also in and around this area in Foggy bottom in Washington, D.C. so that's the latest right now. I'll have more updates for you.
- [02:59]
Aaron
As you can see, right behind me to the top of my shoulder is the black vehicles. I'll move it up front. Again, the video so you guys can see these black vehicles, the black Escalades or the black Suburbans behind me. Those are for Mitch McConnell's detail. They've been parked out there every single day since the first, first day that he was admitted to the hospital. And now he's in this rehab facility. A lot of people say, well, Aaron, he's left the hospital. I actually don't think he's left the hospital. You see, if you look at the statement from his team, and I've been harping on this repeatedly, his physician said that he has been discharged from, quote, hospital care, not that he was discharged from the hospital. And we need to be careful about the language we use. There is an acute rehabilitation facility of sorts, a treatment group located on the fourth floor of the George Washington University Hospital. I can't just walk in there. No reporter is going to get in there. But I would surmise that he is right now on the fourth floor in that facility. Now, we talk about August 3rd as being a key deadline. Well, Governor Beshear put this out today saying, quote, I know that there are a lot of folks wondering about the significance of August 3rd regarding a potential Senate vacancy. I want everyone to know that this date has no legal impact on my options should there be a vacancy this year. And worth the reminder, right now, there's one less vote for the SAVE Act, Trump's war with Iran, or the potential replacement of a SCOTUS justice. So Bashir is making clear right now that essentially there is in this case, Republicans are actually struggling with the fact that Mitch McConnell isn't in office right now, isn't there to vote, because they have one less vote on confirming Todd Blanche, potentially confirming a new Supreme Court justice. The Save act, war with Iran. I mean, you name it. The agenda is relatively stalled because Mitch McConnell isn't there. And he's not wrong. Now, I do want to talk a little bit about this August 3rd deadline. Why were people saying that August 3rd is the deadline for Mitch McConnell to either be replaced, special election, you name it. Well, in Kentucky, there are laws that set out when you can call a special election. And if you get too close, if you get too close to November's election, remember there's a midterm election in Kentucky. Mitch McConnell is not running for reelection, so his seats up already in November. You get too close to November, you can't call a special election because legally, and just practically speaking, it's impossible to put together a special election statewide in Kentucky, have everyone nominated for the ballot, hold an election, release results, et cetera. So it's very, very difficult. But also state law makes it difficult as well. This is section 152 of the Kentucky Constitution, and it talks about when you fill vacancies by appointment versus by election. And it says, except other as otherwise provided in this Constitution, vacancies in all elected offices shall be filled by election or appointment as follows. If the unexpired term will end at the next succeeding annual election at which either city, town, county, district or state officers are to be elected, the office shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the term. If the unexpired term will not end at the next succeeding annual election at which either city, town, county, district or state officers are to be elected, and if three months intervene before said succeeding annual election at which either city, town, county, district or state officers are to be elected, the office shall be filled by appointment until said election, and then said vacancy shall be filled by election for the remainder of the term. It's very complicated and the wording is very difficult. Essentially, what it says is that three months, three months between today and Election Day. If there are three months, you have a special election. If they're not three months, well, then it gets tricky. It becomes an appointment issue. But here's why it gets even trickier. See, typically. Typically a state officer in Kentucky, the replacement of a state officer would be up to the governor. Governor Bashir would appoint a replacement if a state officer was where to die in office, where to withdraw, resign, whatever it may be, before their election. Now, the Kentucky Supreme Court has said that a United States Senator is not a state officer. Okay? That is significant because ultimately, what Governor Bashir is saying here is that he wants people to know that this date has no legal impact on my options should there be a vacancy this year. Because what he is saying implicitly is that if Mitch McConnell were to die, say tomorrow or the day after, he would go ahead and try to appoint a replacement to the United States Senate and then force the Kentucky Supreme Court and ultimately federal courts, because it's an interpretation of the 17th Amendment as well. There are so many issues, legal issues. Force the courts to tell him he can't do that. That's essentially what would happen. He would appoint someone, a Democrat, presumably, and it would be up to the courts whether or not he's even legally able to do that. And if he is, it'll be up to Senate Majority Leader John Thune to essentially seat that individual. But in the meantime, I don't think Andy Beshear is ever planning for a special election. That's never the goal of the governor. I don't think the governor wants that because the governor knows you hold a special election in ruby red Kentucky, you're going to have a Democrat replace or you're going to have a Republican replace Mitch McConnell, arguably, potentially a Republican who's actually present and in the United States Senate, who will be there for votes, who will be there for a whole host of things. So he knows from a political standpoint, calling a special election doesn't actually help Democrats. It actually hurts Democrats substantially because you're going to guarantee a Republican vote that's not currently there right now. You don't have that Republican vote. But I mean, some people, on the contrary are saying, well, he should call a special election or try to get someone in because the voters don't have. The constituents, don't have a representative. Now, when asked about where Mitch McConnell is at, his office continues to run away from literally everyone.
- [09:05]
Journalist
Quick question. Are you guys going to respond to Governor Beshear? Are you going to release a video of McConnell? You gonna release anything in addition to the second photo? Anything you can say, sir, in response to the governor's letter? That was my second attempt at trying to get an answer from the senior communications advisor to Senator Mitch McConnell, McConnell, on whether he plans to release a video statement. Here's video of my first attempt. Hey, what do you think about people saying that McConnell should put out a video?
- [09:55]
Aaron
Running away.
- [09:56]
Reporter
Running away.
- [09:57]
Aaron
Now, what is interesting is Kentucky over the past few days held an event called Fancy Farms. If you don't know what Fancy Farms is, it's like the quintessential political event in Kentucky. Republicans go, Democrats go. It's like a major roast. They all roast each other and while Mitch McConnell wasn't there, but he was honored. And I want you to listen to this video from Fancy Farms on this
- [10:17]
Fancy Farms Announcer
stage, engaging in the spirited tradition that has made this gathering unlike any other in America. Regardless of party or political viewpoint. Few individuals have had a greater impact on Kentucky's voice and worse Washington and have devoted more years of public service on behalf of the commonwealth. From the community of Fancy Farm and the people gathered here today, we extend our gratitude to Senator McConnell for his years of faithful service to Kentucky and our nation.
- [11:08]
Aaron
It really seemed like kind of a going away tribute in a way for McConnell because he's not going to be at Fancy Farms. This would be his last Fancy Farm event of his political career. He's not running for reelection. He's not going to be on stage anymore. He's not going to be cracking jokes. Well, he wasn't there at all. And it's really a culmination of a long career career. Now I'm going to continue trying to press for answers. Some people don't like that. I don't really care, frankly, because I think not enough media companies are pressing for answers. So if you can hit that subscribe button and subscribe to support my work, get the word out like comment, share and the more you do, the more people see this and then hopefully the more more people will start asking questions about where the Kentucky senator is and why his team continues to refuse to answer basic questions about his well being, his health and his whereabouts. I'll see you soon with another update. Take care. Hey folks, thanks so much for watching. Feel free to add this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you watch for the latest breaking news and daily hits throughout the day. Make sure to follow subscribe. See you soon for more.