The big difference here is that Angus King of Maine and Bernie Sanders of Vermont both ran as independents planning on caucusing with Democrats from the beginning.
Those two are obviously party line votes for the Democrats in everything but Sinema is switching parties four years in.
The question is why?
What does she gain from doing this at this moment?
That is what I am still trying to wrap my head around.
Her being known for being one of two dems who constantly have the party kowtow to their constituents wasn't going to do her any favors with the democrat establishment either for reelection. She was likely going to be primaried in a fortified primary.
This increases her power. They were just talking about how the Democrats having an actual Senate majority was going to diminish their need to pander to her. Technically, this takes that away
Not like she won't caucus with Democrats most of the time anyway.
All the time. She might vote with Democrats most of the time, but she will caucus with Democrats all the time. Caucusing is about which party is in charge.
The big difference here is that Angus King of Maine and Bernie Sanders of Vermont both ran as independents planning on caucusing with Democrats from the beginning.
Those two are obviously party line votes for the Democrats in everything but Sinema is switching parties four years in.
The question is why?
What does she gain from doing this at this moment?
That is what I am still trying to wrap my head around.
Look at my other comment to you.
I explained why this move doesn't really help her at all in winning re-election.
Her being known for being one of two dems who constantly have the party kowtow to their constituents wasn't going to do her any favors with the democrat establishment either for reelection. She was likely going to be primaried in a fortified primary.
This increases her power. They were just talking about how the Democrats having an actual Senate majority was going to diminish their need to pander to her. Technically, this takes that away
All the time. She might vote with Democrats most of the time, but she will caucus with Democrats all the time. Caucusing is about which party is in charge.