For the People Act / Politics

Why Joe Biden and the Left are Turning on a Key Democrat Whose Name Isn’t Manchin

AMAC Exclusive

While Senator Joe Manchin drew headlines over the weekend for announcing that he opposes H.R.1, seemingly dooming the Democrats’ plan to permanently destroy the integrity of federal elections, another Democrat Senator is riling Joe Biden and the left-wing that has taken over the party. Last week, as Biden commemorated the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, he surprised nearly everyone by blasting “two members” of his own party as obstacles to his administration’s radical agenda: not only Manchin but also apparently Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema. Specifically, Biden criticized their unwillingness to join the rest of their party in overturning the legislative filibuster, a staple of the Senate for over 200 years. While frustration over Manchin’s moderate stances is no surprise to most, progressive fury and frustration with Sinema is stunning because before she was labeled the “Senate Super Villain” of the left, she was widely considered one of their brightest stars.

When she won the seat of departing Republican Senator Jeff Flake in 2018, Democrats celebrated. The former Congresswoman would become the first bisexual Senator in history. This, combined with her flair for stylish, albeit iconoclastic, outfits paired with dyed wigs, made her a progressive internet sensation overnight.

They were particularly ecstatic at her swearing-in ceremony. Despite the fact that then-Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Sinema were cordial with one another while he swore her into the United States Senate, progressives delighted in a form of schadenfreude. In the words of MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, this deeply religious man “had to smile through the camera at all of it…priceless.”

In title and trappings, she was a liberal celebrity. LGBTQ publication Advocate.com named her among “31 LGBTQ Women Who Changed Sports, Culture, Politics, and History.” In a 2019 Time article, “How Women in Congress Are Using Fashion to Send a Message,” Sinema was highlighted for how her “overtly feminist” outfits were changing Congress. When she presided over the Senate earlier this year in a pink sweater with “Dangerous Creature” written on the chest, she was again celebrated by the left, so much so that Senator Mitt Romney reportedly told her that she was “breaking the internet.”

Virtually no one imagined that the somewhat strange Senator Sinema would become an object of left-wing anger, with President Biden (who was elected as the ostensible moderate candidate of his party) attacking her directly as an obstruction to his left-wing agenda.

Today, the discussion of the Senator’s wardrobe has shifted. Her style, once seen as quirky and revolutionary, is now labeled “tone-deaf.” Where progressives once leaped to defend her when conservatives criticized her clothing choices, they now attack her for carrying a fashionable bag while conducting Senate business. The once-fabled revolutionary is now a “Marie Antoinette” within her own party. What changed?

Once Democrats took control of the Senate, they realized Sinema’s relative moderation—previously thought an electoral benefit in the swing state of Arizona—could be fatal for their hopes of remaking the country by abolishing the filibuster, packing the courts, and destroying the Second Amendment. Where her positioning as bipartisan consensus builder was once painted in a positive light, it’s now labeled a “nightmare.” Progressives seem to be struggling to comprehend how an LGBTQ Senator could have become the primary obstacle saving the country from their most fevered socialist dreams.

Sinema’s fellow Arizona Senator, Mark Kelly, finds himself in a similarly challenging position.

His willingness to blast and berate the Trump Administration made him popular with many progressives. He called for Trump’s conviction during the Second Impeachment Trial. With the former President out of the spotlight, Senator Kelly can no longer use this criticism as political cover to avoid the impossible choice between alienating the progressive left and alienating his center-right state of Arizona.

Sinema and Kelly’s elections marked the first time in 70 years that two Democratic Senators represented Arizona. However, their reelection is by no means guaranteed. If they vote with the radical left, they may lose their seats. If they vote with their state, they are likely to draw progressive primary opponents. But while Sinema does not have to worry about a primary until 2024, Kelly is up next year. That may be why they appear to have made such different political calculations. Sinema can afford to ensure her long-term political survival with a relatively moderate posture. Kelly, on the other hand, has made a bargain with the far-left to avoid a primary in exchange for supporting policies far out of step with the views of his state.

Despite these electoral concerns, Arizona and national Democrats are pushing both Senators to set aside their own political interests and vote with the party. The irony of such a vote would be that, should Democrats succeed in abolishing the filibuster, they would likely be voted out of the majority before they could fully exploit that decision, thus surrendering a great deal of power to the GOP.

While Kelly, a straight white male, is easier for progressives to criticize and dismiss (which may be another reason he has to go farther left to appease them), Sinema represents an inconvenient fact for Democrats. The party has been relentless in its belief that greater representation of LGBTQ and minority legislators will lead to a proliferation of progressive policy. Yet, in the case of Sinema, it appears that overvaluing the importance of identity politics “box-checking” above principle can leave the party flat-footed when someone who checks the right boxes votes the wrong way.

 


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Jerry
1 year ago

I am surprised, two Democrats have brains.

Allan Brem
1 year ago

Manchin reminds me so much of the two Republicans that act so iffy when it comes to voting then end up voting like you expect them to. Manchin, though, at least admits verbally that governing isn’t a matter voting with the Party.

Geraldine McGann
1 year ago

I am in AZ and while I never voted for Sinema, I do believe she wants a bipartisan Congress to work on solutions.
Kelly I think got in on the same fraud from Maricopa County that purportedly elected Biden.
A few more weeks and we should have the results of the Maricopa County forensic audit.
azaudit.org

Steve
1 year ago

I find it a bit interesting that even when a Democrat does do the right thing people still bitch about it and head off into negative land. Manchin by himself has prevented the Democrats from doing further massive damage to the Government on at least two other occasions other than this one. I’ll take wins when I can get them.

J. Farley
1 year ago

I have no faith in Sinema or Manchin doing the right thing, they will get bribed by the left with some sought of trade off for something they want and will vote with the left to destroy America, they are both cowered.——They are alligator’s, all mouth and no ears—-don’t trust them they are still registered Democrats, need I say more!!!!!!!!!!

aluminum head
1 year ago

My money says that the dollar will crash, internationally, and there will be civil war in all metro areas. I’m talkin’ even dumps like Newark NJ and similar sized. If the ( D ) commies run it ( cities ) then there will be blood.

aluminum head
1 year ago

Talk about patriotism – if you have not served in the military you should NOT be able to run for Congress, Senate, or POTUS. that is MY take on it.

Steve
1 year ago
Reply to  aluminum head

The Constitution has no such requirement.

Glee
1 year ago
Reply to  aluminum head

Taking a look at what is going on in the military, with mandatory Marxist propaganda, you need to rethink that statement. It’s the generals who are attempting to brainwash the military, proving military jservice is NOT always a good prerequisite for government. In fact, I would argue that the military mindset is too narrow

Hal
1 year ago
All this pie-in-the-sky activity by the DemocRats to paint the Nation/Constitution with a bunch of liberal claptrap (making it easier to cheat in elections because it gives the lefty icons a sense of righteousness to justify cheating against one of its most basic rights guarantees ,, one man, one vote).  One of the results of the unfair last election is that it is worming its way in to the hearts of died-in-the-wool DemocRats who would be yelling and rebelling had they been on the losing side of this cheating. Basically if we can't have a fair and honest election, the Constituion will lose its credibility to partisan power ... in this case the ringmasters of the DemocRat Party
PIDL
1 year ago
Reply to  Hal

If there is no constitution, there is no law. And there is no basis for this great country. So , there is no longer a country, just the kind of thing the anarchists want, lawlessness.

Ralph S
1 year ago

Aren’t you glad we have Democrats with their liberal ideas and policies…
Kill the babies before they are born… aka Planned Parenthood & Abortion
Kill the babies after they are born… infanticide (sanctioned by VA governor)
Brainwash the children from two to twenty-two+… The 1619 Project
DEFUND the police so there is no one around to PROTECT and SERVE
And, if any survive… kill them in the nursing homes
Oh! P.S. Raise the DEATH TAX so the next generation also gets screwed!

Ed J
1 year ago
Reply to  Ralph S

Yes!  Taxes! AND more taxes!  After all, we ALL need to chip in to pay for the royal screwing we are getting from the libtard mob.

Garye
1 year ago
Reply to  Ralph S

Ralph, a very nice summation of the useless, racist liberal democrat party.
Imagine, supposedly, half of the Country voted for these losers!

D.P.
1 year ago

It saddens me that so few of our representatives, new and old are championed for their love of country, constitutional vows, and integrity on the job. No matter what, all the flap over race, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliations, polling, and a litany of other “qualifications and capacity for office” are the hooks on which people hang their votes and support. I believe it was Adli Stevenson who said “what we need are more statesmen, not more polititians.”……so I have to fall back on what Teddy Roosevelt said…..”one is faced with voting for the person who will do the least amount of damage.”
And again, sadder still, you can hardly get the information needed to determine who will be least damaging…..as nearly all our current (especially long term server) political representatives carry the weight of already doing damage, both known and hidden.

Ed J
1 year ago
Reply to  D.P.

In today’s world, any politician on a ballot who has a (D) after his or her name has come to represent a person who is prepared to do the MOST damage to our nation (either intentionally or unintentionally). Today’s Democratic Party is NOT the Democratic Party of JFK, for if it were, then we would not be having this conversation!

John Karkalis
1 year ago
Reply to  Ed J

Ed, think 2022 and say over and over, like a mantra, “The houses will flip”.
Words have power.

Rufus
1 year ago

I don’t know if the statement with respect to first bisexual in senate is correct. I thought Crying Chuck Was the first girlie man to walk the halls.

Jones
1 year ago
Reply to  Rufus

Don’t forget “The Banking Queen”, Barney Frank.

Rick
1 year ago
Reply to  Jones

Barney Fwank was a representative. I don’t think he was ever a senator. He did all his damage on the house banking committee.

Rick
1 year ago
Reply to  Rick

Stinking autocorrect! I spelled “Bawney” correctly!

Jones
1 year ago
Reply to  Rick

I think you’re right, Rick. Thanks.

Old Silk
1 year ago

“Vote with the Party” and “the personal life is dead” were Soviet commentary staples.

James Turner
1 year ago

I’m glad Joe and Kyrsten are sticking by their principles. It’s just too bad the rest of the Democrats
no longer proud of America! They are all acting like communists!

aluminum head
1 year ago
Reply to  James Turner

( D ) stands for Communist.

Ed J
1 year ago
Reply to  aluminum head

(D) also stands for Dysfunctional, Delusional, Dystopian, Demented, Dunderhead, Dummkopf, etc., when referencing any Demshevik.

Jerry
1 year ago
Reply to  Ed J

And Damned.

Max
1 year ago

I am not an Arizona citizen and I do not agree with lifestyles that go against the words of God. I applaud the position that Senator Sinema appears to be taking, that she represents her states’ citizens and not her Democratic party lines. It would be nicer if ALL elected officials would remember that they represent citizens and NOT a political party.

Steve
1 year ago
Reply to  Max

Agree. Applaud when the right thing is done, oppose it when it isn’t.

C. Haessler
1 year ago

They are failing every day because the idiots that the power people selection are dumber than rocks – Biden the demented, Kamala the sleep around greedy real communist and kicked out of family by her father and still wonder if she is borne in Jamaica or here so if not,then she is already out!

Disne
1 year ago

I hope and pray they go against there party and do the right thing!

the rebel
1 year ago

America needs TERM LIMITS to eradicate all the “liars, whores, drunks, and thieves” in Congress who continually RAPE the American taxpayers !!!!

Old Silk
1 year ago
Reply to  the rebel

In 1995 they wailed over the term limits item when Newt Gingrich started keeping the Republican promises one by one in the Contract with America to hold a vote on each of them, that if those who were there since before dirt were not in power there would be no one to show the newly elected the ropes and “train” the newly elected.

Last edited 1 year ago by Old Silk
The Rebel
1 year ago
Reply to  Old Silk

America has too many sheeples NOW !!!!!!

Hal
1 year ago
Reply to  Old Silk

The only way I see that has practical hope of putting Senators and Representatives under term limits Constitutionally is include in it a launching incentive by having a clause that allows member presently serving to not be restricted by that Constitutioal limit during their lifetime. That may be enough gratuity to allow them to vote for term limits without feeling like they are cutting their own throats!!!!

Rebecca S
1 year ago
Reply to  Hal

That would allow Upchuck Schumer and Nanny Pelosi, along with Maxine Shrieking Waters and the Hat Lady to stay in office for the rest of their lives! NO THANKS!!!

HocasPocas
1 year ago
Reply to  Hal

Are you kidding me?? They are the reason that we need term limits

Last edited 1 year ago by HocasPocas
aluminum head
1 year ago
Reply to  the rebel

And make them ALL take hair pulled drug screens too.

Weck
1 year ago

I’m a little naive on this subject, but how can she be descried as LGBTQ? She can’t be all of those, can she? Now that that crowd has accepted the designation “Q”, which they once condemned, perhaps we should only refer to them as “Q”since that includes all of them. Then if they come up with any more queer lifestyles, they will already be included. By the way, what does what you do with whom (or with what) have to do with making intelligent governmental decisions?

Jerry
1 year ago
Reply to  Weck

They disgrace the rainbow.

HocasPocas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jerry

God created the rainbow as a promise that he would never destroy the earth by flood again, not for those people to disgrace it with their ideological beliefs

KAJ
1 year ago

Both got in by voter fraud. Don’t EVER trust them.

Chuck
1 year ago

Like a cat, these two purr, and like a cat, they can extend their claws inflicting damage. Beware and don’t rest too much stock in them.

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