Looks like we have another subscriber to the Radical Centrist movement We make our own decisions, using our own judgment and lived experiences to form our beliefs. We don’t line up to do what we’re told, automatically subscribe to whatever positions the national political parties dictate or view every issue through labels that divide us. Everyday Americans are increasingly left behind by national parties’ rigid partisanship, which has hardened in recent years. Pressures in both parties pull leaders to the edges, allowing the loudest, most extreme voices to determine their respective parties’ priorities and expecting the rest of us to fall in line. In catering to the fringes, neither party has demonstrated much tolerance for diversity of thought. https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2022/12/09/sen-kyrsten-sinema-of-arizona-why-im-registering-as-an-independent/69712395007/
I think Sinema switched to independent simply because in 2024 she would have likely lost the Democratic nomination. Her favorability ratings within the party is poor. Being an independent means the Democratic party may decide to support her in order to avoid splitting the Democratic vote in 2024 and handing the seat to the Republicans. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. https://www.newsweek.com/kyrsten-sinemas-chances-winning-reelection-senator-ditches-democrats-1765974
She is deeply unpopular in Arizona. That's true among Democrats as well as the public at large. But this might not be an election-related move. But staying with the election for a moment: She can't win the Democratic Party's nomination (to her own seat!) She can't win the GOP nomination (they hate her) She can't win re-election as an independent? Why not that last one? Because of her unpopularity, not even moderates of both parties will support her. (In fact, there really are very few moderate Republicans in Arizona anymore. They've become Democrats. The GOP in Arizona is very hard Right.) She'll peel off some Democratic votes, but would receive almost zero support from Republicans. They'll stay strong to their candidate. So, what's up? It is suspected throughout Arizona that Sinema will take either a position with a pharmaceutical company (they're huge supporters of her) or on K Street as a lobbyist. In either scenario, her being an independent will help her build bridges on both sides of the aisle, useful in her next endeavor. But what if she runs? She will certainly not win. She will also prevent the Democratic nominee from winning. All she would do is ensure the Senate has a seat for Kari Lake beginning in January 2025.
The people that voted for and put her in office wanted a Democrat to represent them. So this is betraying the people who voted for her.
I cannot agree with this. She was a known quantity when she ran for the Senate, having served in the House for 6 years. I know; I voted for her. Our main concern was defeating Martha McSally, and Sinema did that. Democrats have been lucky to have Sinema and Manchin in their fold, no matter how problematic. Without them, those seats would almost assuredly be filled by Republicans, not other Democrats.
I like this theory about seeking a position lobbying or for a pharmaceutical company much more than my theory!
To me this act looks very dishonest, If I voted for a senator to work on issues on behalf of my party then I would expect her/him to fulfill the campaignn promises I would feel cheated and desapointed.
So, now we know that feminine for "radical centrist" is "sanctimonious Karen". Okey dokey. P. S. Yes, better her than a "Republican".
I think many people are realizing that the loyalty to the D and the R is part of the problem and is not tied to “loyalty” to the voters, at least not in a way that makes a meaningful impact to their interests or quality of life.
