Dem Strategist on Kyrsten Sinema: ‘I Think She Had To Come in and Ruin the Week for Everybody, Honestly!’
Arizona senator just bolted Democratic Party
Sen Kyrsten Sinema's decision in recent days to exit the Democratic Party and switch to independent was based on a need for attention, as well as political self-preservation back home in Arizona, according to at least one political analyst and one-time Democratic strategist.
Sinema, elected in 2018 as Arizona's first Democratic senator in a generation, has been a recurring antagonist towards many of the priorities of her Democratic colleagues since President Biden's been in office — to the extent that the Arizona Democratic Party took the unusual step of censuring her.
Then, just days after Sen Raphael Warnock win his run-off election for a full term — guaranteeing Senate Democrats with a key 51st vote and an outright majority — Sinema stepped in to declare her independent status, although she will continue to receive her committee assignments from the Democrats.
She also publicly refused to commit to support President Biden for reelection.
This switch has angered Democrats in Arizona and across the country.
“The reason she did this because she knows she is worse than underwater with Arizonans, and voters across that state. She knows that this is about self preservation,” said Juanita Tolliver, a political analyst for MSNBC and a former strategist for Democratic candidates and campaigns. “I do think it is a slap in the face to every Georgia voter, every Democratic advocate or organizer who worked and fought tooth and nail for that 51st seat, for her now to throw it into jeopardy, all in the name of self-preservation.
“I also think she has done a bit to sabotage that seat in 2024 for Democrats, because she has that independent seat, even though she is underwater, of course, she might get some votes,” Tolliver added. “That could cost Democrats that 2024. I think she had to come in and ruin the week for everybody, honestly!”
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