Photo by Tom Williams
In the enigmatic realm of American politics, the spotlight falls upon Senator Kyrsten Sinema, once a stalwart Democrat from the sun-drenched expanse of Arizona, now a shape-shifting independent. In the public arena, she maintains a shroud of ambiguity regarding her intentions for the impending electoral showdown. Yet, behind the scenes, her political machinery hums with activity, meticulously crafting a strategy, courting benefactors, and seducing potential supporters with a tantalizing vision of victory in the forthcoming Senate battle.
An exclusive peek into her designs is offered by a clandestine two-page prospectus, recently unearthed by NBC News. Within its cryptic pages, Sinema sketches the contours of her path to triumph as an independent contender in the heart of Arizona. Under the banner of “Kyrsten’s Path to Victory,” this document boldly asserts that Sinema can seize the laurels by ensnaring 10% to 20% of Democrats, an impressive 60% to 70% of independents, and a substantial 25% to 35% of Republicans.
Amidst a headshot of the senator herself, a section intriguingly titled “Kyrsten Will Win Arizona” proclaims, “If the parties, as anticipated, nominate extremists, Kyrsten shall harvest the majority of independent souls, commandeer at least a third of the Republican cohort, and lay claim to a share of Democratic hearts — thereby etching her name in the annals of American history as the first Independent to triumph in a three-way statewide electoral contest.” This document, a closely-guarded artifact, has quietly circulated among the political operatives of Arizona in recent days.
This two-page exposé reveals a curious paradox. While Sinema’s cadre maintains that her focus lies beyond the electoral arena, it undeniably lays bare the groundwork for a potential independent bid. In the turbulent waters of a pivotal swing state, the senator emerges as a wildcard, one poised to shape the impending struggle for Senate control in the coming year.
Notably, this prospectus ventures a daring assertion: that Sinema shall magnetize more votes from the ranks of Arizona’s Republicans than from her erstwhile Democratic compatriots. This, despite her ten-year tenure as a Democrat in the hallowed halls of Congress and her continued alignment with the Democratic Senate majority. It was only in December, following her espousal of centrist positions and rejection of certain liberal tenets, that she officially severed her ties with the party, registering herself as an independent.
When confronted with queries about this clandestine document, a spokesperson, adept in the art of political obfuscation, responded with a cryptic assertion: “Kyrsten has yet to declare her intentions definitively.” However, they conceded that she has been engaged in a vigorous bout of fundraising, with a substantial war chest exceeding $10 million. This, they suggest, aligns seamlessly with the tenets of the prospectus, but no further elucidation on her designs was forthcoming.
Indeed, this document, adorned with a link to Sinema’s political sanctuary, bears the inscription “Paid for by Sinema for Arizona.” Within a section bearing the lofty moniker “Kyrsten Delivers for Arizona,” the prospectus accords Sinema with a litany of legislative accomplishments. These include the landmark bipartisan infrastructure law, postal reforms, the codification of same-sex marriage, and a gun control statute that Congress enacted just last year.
Furthermore, the document trumpets the achievement of lower drug prices, courtesy of the Inflation Reduction Act. This particular legislation bore the mark of Sinema’s decisive vote, a vote that compelled her Democratic colleagues to pare down a provision aimed at empowering Medicare to negotiate drug prices. This maneuver, to the chagrin of the White House and some zealous activists, fell short of their lofty ambitions.
In the grand theater of American politics, Sinema aspires to assemble a coalition hitherto unseen. She envisions securing substantial support from voters in both political camps, whilst simultaneously basking in the adoration of the formidable independent bloc. Yet, whether she can indeed attain the lofty benchmarks delineated in the prospectus remains a tantalizing question. The Senate, after all, harbors two other independents in the form of Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine, both of whom undeniably align with the Democratic cause, enjoying robust support within the party. Sinema, in stark contrast, has severed her ties with the Arizona Democratic Party, no longer participating in their regular Senate gatherings.
The polling landscape remains shrouded in uncertainty, with the field yet to solidify. Recent surveys conducted by Emerson College and Noble Predictive Insights paint a complex portrait, depicting Sinema trailing in various hypothetical three-way races. In an astonishing twist, the Emerson poll suggests that she garners greater support from a Republican contender than from a Democratic adversary.
Meanwhile, amidst the Democratic ranks, a clear frontrunner emerges in the form of Representative Ruben Gallego, championing a Phoenix-based constituency in the House. Gallego has undertaken the arduous task of consolidating his party’s support, presenting himself as the torchbearer for the Democratic cause. In response to inquiries about Sinema’s overtures to donors, a spokesperson for Gallego’s campaign boldly asserts, “Only one individual traverses the state, engaging directly with the denizens of Arizona, championing the cause of job creation, slashing the cost of prescription drugs, and ensuring the welfare of our veterans — and that individual is Ruben Gallego. He remains steadfast in his focus on the everyday citizens of Arizona, a commitment validated by the prevailing data.”
As for the Republican camp, it remains a realm in flux. Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb has thrown his hat into the ring, while Kari Lake, a former gubernatorial contender, contemplates her entry into the fray. National Republicans, it is whispered, harbor hopes that a Sinema candidacy would siphon votes from her erstwhile Democratic stablemates.
Tate Mitchell, the spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, underscores Sinema’s unwavering support for Joe Biden’s agenda, including her advocacy for the American Rescue Plan and the signature climate change legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act. In his proclamation, he anticipates a groundswell of support from Arizona Democrats should Sinema choose to embark on this electoral journey, premised on her steadfast commitment to Joe Biden’s paramount policy priorities.
In the swirling vortex of Arizona politics, Kyrsten Sinema emerges as a cryptic figure, her potential independent candidacy casting a long shadow over the impending Senate battle, one that promises to reshape the political landscape in the coming year.
COMMENTS