Sinema leaving the Democratic Party and registering as an independent

[Hortensis]

85. :) That's Earl's analysis too. We'd support her as an Independent

if she caucuses with us until election, likely with some Manchin thrown in.

If that's the case, I don't think she'd want or need to run as a Democrat.

Sanders is a special case. He does that in VT, with connivance from Democratic Party leaders, so he can take out competitors in the Democratic primary. Then he runs as a very strong incumbent Independent against the Republican in the GE, when some moderate Republicans have traditionally voted for him as their way of keeping a Democrat from getting the seat. Then in congress he votes for pretty much whatever his Democratic colleagues produce plus what's required to satisfy his RW VTers, including their gun industry. Quid pro quo. Wash, rinse, repeat. I can't imagine Sinema maintaining that kind of stability to secure reelection until retirement.