What's In A Name ?

(What's In A Name ?)

So, Arizona Senator Kiersten Sinema (D) has just "defected" from the Democrat Party in the sense that she is a declared Independent. Meaning what, exactly ? It is not like she has become a Republican, she will still Caucus with the Democrats, Schumer will still be Senate Majority Leader and all that that entails. What has changed ? Sinema will still be a reliable vote when bills will be brought to the floor. She will still give assent to President Biden's judicial nominees. So, what is the big deal ?


Senator Sinema was one of those legislators that allowed for the passage of what became known as the IRA, though it does nothing of the sort, the other hold-out had been Senator Manchin. When he caved. Sinema was all but a lock herself. Now that that portion of the President's program, she feels she can do better as an Independent ? In own Sinema's words, the term "independent" is where she had always resided ideologically.


That being said, the expectation that Warnock's victory in Georgia would secure that 51 Seat Majority would allow for those Senate rule changes that had been discussed. Those had included the elimination of the filibuster and so on. That change had been opposed by Sinema, as well as Joe Manchin. So, technically, the Arizona Senator could assert her independence.


To be sure, Ms. Sinema will be "courted" by the GOP. While that is not the announced intention, if she did defect to Republicans, and perhaps Senator Manchin follows, or at least out the Democrat Party himself and becomes a like-minded independent. Whatever the decisions, these two have possibly stopped being automatic "yes people" to the Democrat Agenda.


One can understand that frustration. One thinks the tables were run; the points count. Then those dreaded words. Upon further review. . .

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