Sinema leaves the democrats and is now an independent

US RIFLE M1A

US RIFLE M1A

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Drinkthekoolaid said:
Even split 50/50 kamelatoe can cast any tie breaker vote along party lines.

This is probably just grandstanding
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The few times the Senate has been 50/50, the parties utilized a 'power sharing agreement' in which day-to-day operations were split generally down the middle. Both parties had some committee chairmanships, for example, which are powerful positions.

Yes, the VP could cast a tie-breaking vote, but the VP does not regularly visit the Senate, and calling on the VP to settle every issue would create a situation in which the VP became the only person in the Senate with any true power. Think of a 3rd grade class that votes for more play time or early lunch, and the teacher says "great, half voted for recess, half voted for early lunch, now open your math books."

That situation, in which the VP migrated to becoming a regular presence in the Senate, voting on issues large and small, would blur the lines between the executive and legislative branches, and give the VP inordinate power. Neither side wants that.

How Sinema's switch to (I) works out - how she wants to play this move - is up to her.

EDIT to add: with a solid 51-49 split, as was the case until this announcement, there are many issues in which the 51 side gets whatever it wants if the vote stays party line, which on important issues such as chairmanships pretty much always happens. Bernie Sanders is Independent, but always votes with the Democrats. How Sinema plays it from here on may have substantial effect on the course of the US government for the upcoming Congressional terms.
 
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tirwin1

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Interesting timing given how much the democrats outperformed in the november elections. They retained control of the senate and barely lost the house. And their pawn won the governer's race. Antagonizing the democrats doesn't seem like a wise move. Don't even start about "conviction" and "principles" lol.
 
Phazer

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US RIFLE M1A

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While Sanders and King formally caucus with Democrats, Sinema declined to explicitly say that she would do the same. She did note, however, that she expects to keep her committee assignments -- a signal that she doesn't plan to upend the Senate composition, since Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer controls committee rosters for Democrats.

Nothing will change.
 
spat

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US RIFLE M1A said:
The few times the Senate has been 50/50, the parties utilized a 'power sharing agreement' in which day-to-day operations were split generally down the middle. Both parties had some committee chairmanships, for example, which are powerful positions.

Yes, the VP could cast a tie-breaking vote, but the VP does not regularly visit the Senate, and calling on the VP to settle every issue would create a situation in which the VP became the only person in the Senate with any true power. Think of a 3rd grade class that votes for more play time or early lunch, and the teacher says "great, half voted for recess, half voted for early lunch, now open your math books."

That situation, in which the VP migrated to becoming a regular presence in the Senate, voting on issues large and small, would blur the lines between the executive and legislative branches, and give the VP inordinate power. Neither side wants that.

How Sinema's switch to (I) works out - how she wants to play this move - is up to her.

EDIT to add: with a solid 51-49 split, as was the case until this announcement, there are many issues in which the 51 side gets whatever it wants if the vote stays party line, which on important issues such as chairmanships pretty much always happens. Bernie Sanders is Independent, but always votes with the Democrats. How Sinema plays it from here on may have substantial effect on the course of the US government for the upcoming Congressional terms.
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She switched for one reason.

That makes *her* one of the most powerful people in the Senate, because *she* can decide whether it goes to a tie breaker or not.

This was purely a power play. A very good power play.
 
Catskillkid

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I was reading an article about this just a little while ago. It said she did it to avoid a primary in 2024. Incumbents in AZ apparently automatically get put on the ballot. The left-wing of the Democratic Party in AZ don't think she's progressive enough and want her out.
 
masterswimmer

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spat said:
She switched for one reason.

That makes *her* one of the most powerful people in the Senate, because *she* can decide whether it goes to a tie breaker or not.

This was purely a power play. A very good power play.
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Joe Manchin is another powerful seat. He's broken party lines a few times. There's been talk for awhile about him jumping ship too. Whether he flips to R or goes Ind like Sinema would be the big question.
 
Phazer

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Catskillkid said:
I was reading an article about this just a little while ago. It said she did it to avoid a primary in 2024. Incumbents in AZ apparently automatically get put on the ballot. The left-wing of the Democratic Party in AZ don't think she's progressive enough and want her out.
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Bingo!

If she's "Independent," then she will not have to face an opponent in the Democrat primary.

She'll vote with the Democrats. If the Democrat plans are popular, she will tout her support for those policies. If the Democrats fail, she'll remind voters that she's "not one of them...she has problems with the Democrat rank and file...she's independent...she tries to right the ship."

Her decision to become an independent is purely a well-conceived political maneuver where she tries to put herself in a win-win electoral position.
 
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I disagree.. She is not a radical leftist the way most Dims are.. Certainly not conservative, but she does not seem to have the "hive mind".. Same with Manchin.. Yes he's a D, but also knows his state went for Trump 70- 30, and knows he's gone if he gets too radical.. There is a reason the left despises Sinema. She can't be depended on to always side with the radicals... Same reason conservatives hate Romney.. He can't be depended on to vote with Republicans...
 
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Sen. Sinema Declares Independence from Democrats: Will Others Join Her Flight from Extremists?​

 
Saltwater60

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beebee said:
I disagree.. She is not a radical leftist the way most Dims are.. Certainly not conservative, but she does not seem to have the "hive mind".. Same with Manchin.. Yes he's a D, but also knows his state went for Trump 70- 30, and knows he's gone if he gets too radical.. There is a reason the left despises Sinema. She can't be depended on to always side with the radicals... Same reason conservatives hate Romney.. He can't be depended on to vote with Republicans...
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Only because this has what has kept her in office. The radical lefties were that radical even when Obama was running for office or even first elected. Things has gotten much worse the last 5-10 years.
 
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The VP is President of the Senate; nominally presides over the body.

Manchin in toast in Wva after Schumer screwed him, and he knows that switching to Republican is his only hope. That would be 50R, 47D and 3 Independents, caucusing with Dems. Sinema could be turned by that aformentioned committee Chair.

We have more problems with Murkowski, Romney and Collins.
 
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