Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), a moderate, and former Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders both had opposing views on Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona’s choice to quit the Democrats and go independent. Tester thinks Sinema’s team swap is insignificant, whereas Sanders appears to be big mad and blames Sinema for sabotaging Biden’s big fat agenda.
On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Tester dismissed Sinema’s defection, saying it makes no difference because she will still caucus with Democrats. However, Sinema was denounced as a “corporate Democrat” who “sabotaged” the party’s program by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who participates in the Democratic caucus.
“I was surprised that she made the change, but functionally, I don’t think it changes a thing,” Tester said. “I think we’re going to continue doing the same thing we were doing, whether she’s an independent or part of the Democratic caucus.”
“It’s about keeping relationships in Washington, D.C., if you’re gonna get things done, and I think Kyrsten Sinema knows that,” he added. “And I think, whether she’s a Democrat or a Republican, that really doesn’t matter. The label doesn’t matter. What matters is, you’ve gotta have somebody in Washington, D.C., that wants to get things done and move things forward.”
Appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Sanders rebuked Sinema for putting her electoral concerns ahead of the party’s agenda.
“I think the Democrats there are not all that enthusiastic about somebody who helped sabotage some of the most important legislation that protects the interests of working families and voting rights and so forth. So, I think it really has to do with her political aspirations for the future in Arizona.”
“She is a corporate Democrat who has, in fact, along with [West Virginia Democratic] Senator [Joe] Manchin, sabotaged enormously important legislation,” he added.
"She's a corporate Democrat … "
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) reacts to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) leaving the Democratic Party and what it could mean for Congress. @CNNSotu #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/xilfbBfACp
— CNN (@CNN) December 11, 2022
Sinema has been a thorn in the left’s side but I would argue that she hasn’t changed her views—It was her former party who shifted. The left has now become the far left or bust and Sinema simply chose to leave.