Steven T. DennisKyrsten Sinema's approval rating just before the midterm elections was 20%, per a Civiqs poll. Among Democrats, it was ***7%***! Her only potential path to reelection was to become an independent. #Sinema https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-09/kyrsten-sinema-s-switch-from-democrat-to-independent-complicates-2024-election?srnd=premium
Her announcement isn't going to change the Senate dynamics much if at all. She's already been essentially operating as an independent. She doesn't go to caucus lunches, spends much of her time on Senate floor or in hideaway chatting up Republicans.
But this really complicates Democrats 2024 strategy, when they face a *brutal* map; 23 D seats including WV, MT, OH vs 11 Rs seats.
Nat'l Ds will be under pressure to back Dem challenger — Gallego hinting at a run — while they need Sinema for control of committees, subpoena power, noms, etc. A pickle.
The risk for Dems is Sinema and Gallego split vote and a Republican wins — Kari Lake? Andy Biggs? — and with it Ds potentially lose their majority.
Nathanael Nerode@steventdennis Sinema has narcissistic personality disorder will do whatever she wants to do. She's proven she won't actually support Democrats, of course. Can't nominate her or it'll depress Democratic turnout; she's a guaranteed loser.
Gallego has a decent chance of winning.
Buying Sinema off with an ambassadorship or something is a perfectly reasonable move, though Sinema is so unreliable it needs to be done quite close to the election.