Tony Stark

Just to be clear:

“Sinema’s move away from the Democratic Party is unlikely to change the power balance in the next Senate. Democrats will have a narrow 51-49 majority that includes two independents who caucus with them: Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine…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.”

However, in the interview, she claims that Arizonans sent her to DC to be an "independent" voice, but surely many or even most of her voters voted for her to be a Democrat, which is the party she represented when she asked for votes.

From the Green Party to Democrats to Independent. Does she believe in anything besides her own ambitions?

Beware of people like this whether politics or personal.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/09/politics/kyrsten-sinema-leaves-democratic-party/index.html

Dec 9, 2022 at 2:12pmWeb
Show threadGlenG🌻 - Support UkraineDec 9, 2022
@TonyStark Good clarification, Tony.
Show threadFloatingcakeDec 9, 2022
@Gleng2 @TonyStark It’s a relief she’s finally admitted she isn’t a Democrat, but it seems yet another attempt to be special and ‘courted’. Let’s hope it’s not at the expense of the folks she represents.
Show threadyasha  Dec 9, 2022
@floatingcake @Gleng2 @TonyStark It'll be likely she will her lose her job next time she runs for office, if she remains (I), since the probabilities are generally not good for Independents in the Senate.
Show threadTony StarkDec 9, 2022
@Gleng2 I try to be the voice of reason, with all due apologies to reason.
Show threadGlenG🌻 - Support UkraineDec 9, 2022
@TonyStark 🤣
Show threadKristianDec 9, 2022
@TonyStark she's a pile of junk and a fraud. She's chasing money instead of representing AZ. Time to plan a challenge to her seat in 2024. So frustrating. She's a disappointment.
Show threadLucy BDec 9, 2022
@kristian @TonyStark that’s exactly why she changed to independent. Dems can no longer primary her and there’s a very real possibility they’ll lose in a three way race. She only cares about herself, and as far as she’s concerned the country can go to hell.
Show threadLindaDec 9, 2022

@TonyStark

She has turned out to be a transition vote. We damn sure didn't want Martha McSally and her cardboard cut of Trump.

Ruben Gallego was going to be her primary challenge. She wanted to avoid that.

If the AZGOP runs another Trumper, which if Kelli Ward stays on as their party leader, they will do.

2024 will be a high turnout election, Gallego should go for it and run.

Show threadTony StarkDec 9, 2022

@GoldieAZ Sinema is under water with Ds, Is, and Rs (11/2 poll) and I’m sure she’s seen the writing on the wall, especially after Sen. Kelly’s reelection, who’s been a reliable vote for progressive policy. The Arizona GOP isn’t learning anything and will likely keep on where it is.

Gallego would be an excellent choice for Arizona.

Show threadLindaDec 9, 2022

@TonyStark

Yes he would be, and his district is in Maricopa, which means they know of him. It is the most Dem district in AZ.

Show threadMaria HillDec 9, 2022

@GoldieAZ

Gallego sure sounds like he's planning on running.

I am pleased with my representation in the Senate and I hope you will be represented by two reliable Democratic voted after the 2024 election as well. Kelly and Gallego would be a good pair. I hate the idea of losing a woman from the Senate, but only the idea because we need women who is are actual Democrats, not whatever Sinema is.

@TonyStark

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/12/09/sinema-senate-independent-biden-pandemic/#link-E4N27CH5K5BOFF3RI2JPQEXZNE

Post Politics Now: Schumer downplays impact of an independent Sinema on Democratic powers

The news that the Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) is now an independent came a day after Democrats reelected Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) to continue leading the caucus.

The Washington Post
Show threadLindaDec 9, 2022

@MariaHill @TonyStark

Watch was AZGOP does. If they dump Kelli Ward and put in a sane Repub at the helm, they may well run Former Gov Ducey. All the moderate Repubs a Dem needs will vote for him.

Show threadMaria HillDec 9, 2022

@GoldieAZ Ducey didn't want to run last time though. Like Sununu and Hogan, he didn't want any part of the Senate Republican Conference. Every day you'd have to deal with Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz, Ron Johnson, and Rand Paul grandstanding. It's just gotten even worse with JD Vance.

Democrats still have to deal with them from across the aisle, of course, but it wouldn't keep anyone from trying to keep (or regain should we lose) the Democratic majority.

@TonyStark

Show threadLindaDec 9, 2022

@MariaHill @TonyStark
It isn't DC as much as it is the state party. The far right took over, that is why Jeff Flake was a one and done.
Kelli Ward, has head of the AZGOP has done more to turn this state blue. It's as if she was working for the AZDem's.

Waiting to see if she is replaced.

Show threadMaria HillDec 9, 2022

@GoldieAZ

Interesting. What looks national can indeed be different factors in each case.

Sununu has a good reason to stay in NH as there is no limitation on the number of terms for governors. He has to run every two years unlike in 48 of 50 states (Vermont is the other with biennial elections), but he's popular so why not keep doing it?

Hogan is a popular Maryland governor. He may have been able to defeat Van Hollen. People know more about their governor, especially their Republican governor who dislikes TFG and got some good media stories for buying covid supplies from South Korea and meeting the plane himself so his cargo couldn't be "seized" by the feds. (FAIR shows that this was a media stunt and Hogan spent money on things that were available in the USA but couldn't be used due to the unavailability of reagents, same as in the other states.) Hogan would surely have looked a lot less shiny if the DSCC put a lot of money into holding Van Hollen's seat.

@TonyStark

Show threadTony StarkDec 9, 2022

@GoldieAZ @MariaHill This is answering a lot of comments that aren’t 100% related to this exact conversation but Sinema’s largest group of favorable ratings comes from Republicans.

If she were to run again as an I, and I’m really wondering about the level of organization she’d need to pull that off there anyway, knowing what an incredible effort it took to get her in the first time by grassroots Dems, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to think she’d pull votes from a Republican candidate.

Show threadDavid W.Dec 10, 2022

@TonyStark @GoldieAZ @MariaHill
I don't see moderates throwing away their vote on a three way and letting the GOP win. We actually got to test this in AK and GA this cycle. in GA, the right-moderate votes broke Dem. in AK, enough votes flipped Dem to get Peltola over the line.

Democrats will run a real Democrat and Sinema will lack and real ground support.

Show threadLindaDec 10, 2022

@412David @TonyStark @MariaHill
She has a war chest:

"In essence, Sinema is the purest example of a safe representative for America’s cautious corporate interests. ...corporate elite have not-so-quietly thrown their lot behind politicians they know will keep any of Biden’s scant progressive inclinations at bay while providing them with the stability to retain control over the country. "
New Financial Disclosures Show Kyrsten Sinema Is Raking in Cash from Big GOP Donors https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/kyrsten-sinema-fundraising-republican-donors-1293087/

New Financial Disclosures Show Kyrsten Sinema Is Raking in Cash from Big GOP Donors

The centrist Democrat from Arizona is amassing a war chest of funds for what promises to be a hotly contested 2024 Senate race. Fox News is chipping in

Rolling Stone
Show threadGrassroots JoeDec 11, 2022
@GoldieAZ @412David @TonyStark @MariaHill
Money is a necessary but not sufficient component of a winning campaign.
Sure you can pay for canvassers, but you can't build a successful state-wide ground game without committed volunteers.
She's 100% burnt toast with the grassroots base, so not happening.
Would a 3-way race suck for us? Sure.
Can we win a 3-way race? Definitely.
Show threadHappy DonkeyDec 11, 2022

@joeinwynnewood @GoldieAZ @412David @TonyStark @MariaHill

This is correct Joe. As someone who sent out 100+ canvassers a day this fall, I can tell you she would be at war with data scientists who parse and tweak these turfs daily to eek out every single vote.

Show threadScott DanielDec 11, 2022
@412David @TonyStark @GoldieAZ @MariaHill I like your optimism!
Show threadThree Stars 🌟Dec 9, 2022

@TonyStark

Four years ago Sinema was able to barely win based on the efforts of a lot of us Democrats who fund raised, canvassed, and supported her campaign. This is not what we worked for not this. She's never represented us since.

Her ability to work with parties is not restricted in any way based on her party affiliation. She's disingenuous. She’s disrespectful to the people who put her in that seat while revealing herself a transactional opportunist.

I doubt she runs again. She's hated.
@GoldieAZ

Show threadLindaDec 9, 2022
@threestars @TonyStark
Sinema will never have my vote again.
She also didn't say she was going to run again.
Show threadThree Stars 🌟Dec 9, 2022
@GoldieAZ
Exactly.
@TonyStark
Show threadSuz KorbelDec 9, 2022
@threestars @TonyStark @GoldieAZ I can’t imagine your feeling of betrayal, volunteering your time and treasure for a grifter cashing in on your hard work.
Show threadThree Stars 🌟Dec 10, 2022
@SuzanSA
She lied to us.
@TonyStark @GoldieAZ
Show threadMolly LyonsDec 13, 2022
@threestars @SuzanSA @TonyStark @GoldieAZ she did. It’s a huge betrayal.
Show threadKiyokokittyDec 9, 2022
@threestars @TonyStark @GoldieAZ She used her supporters as a means to an end, then abandoned them. That's awful 😣😫😡
Show threadMolly LyonsDec 13, 2022
@kiyokocat @threestars @TonyStark @GoldieAZ we haven’t seen her. She literally vanished.
Show threadRobinDec 10, 2022
@threestars @TonyStark @GoldieAZ I could see her doing a podcast with Tulsi Gabbard, appearing on Tucker, becoming chummy with Glenn Greenwald. The "liberal/Democrat dissident concern troll" grift, in other words.
Show threadDaisy Doo & TuxieGirl BettyDec 10, 2022
@threestars @TonyStark @GoldieAZ why can't the citizens who voted for her sue her for breach if contract?
Show threadThis Side of The PondDec 10, 2022
@threestars @TonyStark @GoldieAZ I hope I'm wrong but she's probably gonna run again, not to win but as a spoiler.
Show threadMolly LyonsDec 13, 2022
@ThisSideOfThePond @threestars @TonyStark @GoldieAZ only if she’s getting paid to do it, that’s clearly her priority.
Show threadAgoraDec 10, 2022
@threestars @TonyStark @GoldieAZ Dems better plot this 2024 right and find a versatile candidate who can excite the Dem base, McCain Republicans, Independents , Native Americans, Latinos, disengaged voters etc!!
Show threadLindaDec 10, 2022

@Agora @threestars @TonyStark

Gallego can do that. Ex-Marine and Latino

Here is a GREAT article about him:

Ruben Gallego’s ready for a fight — even if the Democratic Party isn’t https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/23323231/ruben-gallego-arizona-latino-voters?utm_campaign=vox&utm_content=entry&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter via @voxdotcom

Ruben Gallego takes on Republicans, Democrats and maybe Kyrsten Sinema 

Inside Arizona’s representative Ruben Gallego’s plan to transform the Democratic Party.

Vox
Show threadAgoraDec 10, 2022
@GoldieAZ @threestars @TonyStark one can always count on the Dem establishment to f*ck things up!!
Show threadLindaDec 10, 2022

@Agora @threestars @TonyStark

That Dem establishment is changing. They look to Gallego to find out how to reach the fastest growing demographic in the US. He started with stop calling them LatinX.
They also have the same interests we all do, not just immigration.

I love it.

Read the article. Yeah it's long. But I loved it. I am PRO Gallego, not just anti-Sinema.

Show threadLindaDec 10, 2022

@Agora @threestars @TonyStark

As Warnock did in Atlanta, with his literature in every language, Dems need to speak to people where THEY are comfortable.

Show threadAgoraDec 10, 2022
@GoldieAZ @threestars @TonyStark this is why I am suggesting they find another left wing gun nut to run against Ted Cruz.
Texas is all about guns and immigration. That’s it. Abbott killing his people during the freeze didn’t move them one bit. The Uvalde massacre didn’t change a single mind.
And if the Dems run another anti-gun politician (Beto is a wonderful person, just not for Texas) where even toddlers have guns!
Show threadLindaDec 10, 2022

@Agora @threestars @TonyStark

As Howard Dean put it years ago: Texas is about Guns, God, and Gays.

Florida, Ohio and Texas are red states.
Dems need to put their money and energy in purple states, like AZ, NV, GA. VA and NC. Locking in MI, WI, PA.
Grow and expand where we have a fighting chance.

Show threadAgoraDec 10, 2022
@GoldieAZ @threestars @[email protected] agree that unless we get a new SCOTUS, we need to focus in winnable races. However, I am still angry that Barnes lost in WI. I don’t understand exactly what happened there.
Show threadAgoraDec 10, 2022
@GoldieAZ @threestars @TonyStark Awesome!!
Show threadThree Stars 🌟Dec 11, 2022
@Agora
Dem establishment is me. Thanks. I've voted D all my life. We're the establishment.
@GoldieAZ @TonyStark
Show threadAgoraDec 11, 2022
@threestars @GoldieAZ @TonyStark, really?
We don't really decide who can run in an election, do we? The higher-ups do that.
Show threadThree Stars 🌟Dec 11, 2022
@Agora
Primaries do that.
@GoldieAZ @TonyStark
Show threadAgoraDec 11, 2022
@threestars @GoldieAZ @TonyStark
Not always. And you know it.
For example, Herschel Walker won a primary. That's only because the most influential voice in the GOP said so. Without Trump’s power, Walker or OZ wouldn't have been anywhere in the primaries
This happens in the Democratic Party, too, not to the same extent as the GOP, but it happens. I believe in calling things as they are.
Show threadThree Stars 🌟Dec 11, 2022
@Agora
Walker isn't qualified to tie his shoes. Not the same. Not arguing. Have a life.
@GoldieAZ @TonyStark
Show threadAgoraDec 12, 2022
@threestars @GoldieAZ @TonyStark Yeah, black people have been trying to wake up white people for ages, and we always get the same response. Imagine where American democracy would be if white liberals listened.
Nothing changes really.
Show threadLindaDec 11, 2022

@Agora @threestars @TonyStark

Dem voters don't have a cult leader dictating who to vote for in either a primary or General Election.

You know that.

Show threadAgoraDec 12, 2022
@GoldieAZ @threestars @TonyStark it's true, but we need a bunch of people who can motivate people. Obama is excellent at that, but he is retired, and we need someone who can do what he does but full-time.
We are fighting against a relentless opponent. Our opponent is well-organised and well-funded! The status quo won't work.
Show threadAgoraDec 12, 2022
@GoldieAZ @threestars @TonyStark I am sure you have memory holed what happened with Sen Sanders and the DNC. Most people I know haven't. And that's more to do with the fact that I am a black woman who supports pragmatic centrists but also knows many Sanders supporters.
Many white liberals don't get it or don't want to get it.
Show threadLindaDec 12, 2022

@Agora @threestars @TonyStark

No, I haven't 'memory holed' Sanders. He is a loser for any candidate here in Arizona.

I like Gallego telling some of those same 'white liberals' to stop using the term LatinX. It shows how clueless they are.

But being dis'd as a Sanders 'white liberal' isn't welcome.

Show threadMolly LyonsDec 13, 2022
@GoldieAZ @Agora @threestars @TonyStark Bernie needs to stay the fck out of AZ. He doesn’t know what’s good for us even less than what he knows about America. Which is nothing.
Show threadMolly LyonsDec 13, 2022
@threestars @Agora @GoldieAZ @TonyStark right. You are.
And AZ has just turned STRONGLY Dem with our Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, & Senator Kelly.
Show threadAgoraDec 10, 2022
@GoldieAZ @threestars @TonyStark I like him. From reading the article, he should be in charge of the whole party. He gets what politics is about.
Show threadLindaDec 10, 2022

@Agora @threestars @TonyStark

I know he has support in AZ, and his fellow congressional members.

Maybe a term or 2 in the Senate he could be our first Latino POTUS.

Show threadchicatingDec 10, 2022
@threestars @TonyStark @GoldieAZ
Yeah...it's not me, it's you, right.
Show threadLindaDec 10, 2022

@threestars @TonyStark

Oh she's going to run. She knows she can't win a primary, and there is no other reason to change.

Jeff Flake was a one and done too. He just didn't run.

Sinema is strategizing. Dems can back her or risk losing in a 3 way race.

I am up for a 3 way race, with a real Dem running, because I am never voting for her again.

Show threadBrenda FeasterDec 10, 2022
@threestars @TonyStark @GoldieAZ I agree with everything thing you said. I want my $25 back I gave to here campaign! When she announced that she was quitting the Democrats and turning into an independent, and said that’s who she’s always been, that really pissed me off! If that’s who she’s always been, then why didn’t she run as an independent back then? So sick of these lying hypocrites!