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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTPM: Sinema Cueing Up To Go Indy
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Absolutely fascinating look at Kyrsten Sinemas efforts to position herself as an independent in Arizona, possibly formally but definitely in effect. It makes pretty clear shes not done with politics or angling for a high dollar lobbying gig, as some speculate. She thinks she can be a latter-day McCain and build her political brand on that basis, likely looking for a promotion above the Senate. TPM Reader GT, a registered independent in Arizona, walks us through the view from in-state as well as the mailers hes been getting on Sinemas behalf from something called the Center Forward PAC run out of New Jersey and chaired by former Alabama Rep. Bud Cramer (D).
I remain pretty confident that Sinema has misjudged the politics. But as GT makes clear, theres no question she has a plan and is following it in a very considered way.
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A lot of 3rd party reports and a some images of ads by Center Forward and others.
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All of this fits with the picture of Sinema that has been painted by various conversations over recent months with people who know or have observed her. Very ambitious (and in that sense really no different from most politicians) but also fairly nuance-less and wooden in her political playbook. That said, as GT notes, its served her pretty well so far. Ive heard various stories of her fairly dramatically misreading rooms and making jarring or ill-timed comments. My sense is that now shes just misreading the national room. The ambition part is key to appreciate since some people seem to think shes bored with the Senate and ready to move on or angling for a high priced lobbying gig. Thats clearly not the case. Shes just as focused on advancement within elected politics as most other pols. The DGAF theory doesnt fly. She clearly thinks this is her path to national office.
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/sinema-cueing-up-to-go-indy-must-read
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gojoe12
(92 posts)she doesnt go Indy until next year or its over until January
belpejic
(720 posts)Reconciliation and the voting rights bill, there seems to be no reason for Democrats to not go nuclear on her today and destroy her polling with Dems in AZ, hopefully permanently. Without their strong support her political career is over. Couldn't happen to a more deserving person.
She is absolutely the worst--a principle-free politician who apparently failed upward into her current position. I'd at least have some respect for her if she was extremely talented at being evil like Moscow Mitch, or extremely talented at ass-kissing like Lindsey Graham.
Mad_Machine76
(24,354 posts)Who do we think that she will caucus with? Will she nominally stay behind Schumer or throw things to Mitch- Or neither. If she went completely Indy, how would that affect Senate control? By my count it would be 49D 50R and 1I
And what I really want to say about Sinema I can't say here.