Many Republicans point out that McConnell needs to stay in his seat to prevent Kentucky’s Democratic governor Andy Beshear, currently being challenged by McConnell ally Daniel Cameron, from naming a replacement. But that is a reason for McConnell to stay in the Senate, not one that requires him to stay on as its minority leader.

The truth is that McConnell is not so dramatically reduced in his capacity that he needs to step down as a senator. He shows far greater capacity than current Senate Democrats Dianne Feinstein or John Fetterman, nor does he have the health struggles of the likes of Thad Cochran or Johnny Isakson in their final years. But continuing on as minority leader headed into a critical election year is a different question entirely.

[Ben makes a good point about having fresh leadership — or at least younger leadership — in place as a contrast to Joe Biden in 2024. Kevin McCarthy is younger and fresher, and John Cornyn would be at least a step in that direction in the Senate; Thune might be even better, in that sense. But that only matters if Republicans put a younger, fresher candidate at the top of the ticket to face off against Biden. If it’s Trump, no one’s going to care that the Senate GOP leadership got a decade or two younger. On the merits, though, it’s time for McConnell to step aside while keeping his seat in the Senate. — Ed]