THE SINEMA “INDEPENDENCE” COULD BE CATCHING: If you ever wondered what kind of threats Majority Leader Chuck Shumer can make to a wobbly democrat Senator, and wondered at what point does a threatened wobbly Democrat Senator become so offended and so
fearful of retribution thereafter on the Senator whether or not the wobbly Senator gives in, you now have your answer. Majority Leader Schumer made one too may threats against Senator Sinema.

Now we understand that personal offense and political fear makes Sentor Sinema’s decision the only path to survival: Go Independent and Survive.

Don’t agree to caucus with either Democrats or Republicans, but instead be the “tiebreaker” and hold all the power. Ironically, between personal insult and practical political protection, Senator Sinema has removed a third of the power held by the Majority Leader in the Senate by Senator Schumer.

Unexpectedly, with a 51 Democrat, 49 Republican Senate, we may be seeing the beginning of an unforeseen, historical “Third Party Alternative” in American politics or at least in the U.S. Senate, if the next logical step occurs: a two member “Fearful Caucus” joins from the remaining Democrats.

THE NEXT HISTORIC STEP TOWARD THE THIRD-PARTY “FEARFUL CAUCUS:” The next step is the gathering of a second Democrat member to the “Fearful Caucus” is the joining of Senator Joe Manchin. With these two pseudo-Democrats joining the “Fearful Caucus,” all the power of Majority Leader Senator Schumer and Minority Leader Senator McConnell would move their way. Neither Democrats nor Republicans can get a majority vote in the election of a Majority Leader as neither holds the needed majority. From Senator Manchin’s position, where Senator Schumer promised a much desired pipeline for West Virginia, and never delivered even after Senator Manchin
delivered the deciding vote on the most recent spend-a-rama bill. Moreover, Senator Manchin is a “dead man walking” politically in West Virginia which is only survivable with a truce with Republicans.

With that two member “Fearful Caucus” from the pseudo-Democrat members, neither the Republican Party nor the Democrat party would control a majority of the Senate. Neither can elect the Majority Leader without the “Fearful Caucus.” So with neither party holding a majority of the Chamber, the “Fearful Caucus” fully controls the organization and selection of leadership of the Senate. With a tie vote of 49-49 by the two political parties, the “Fearful Caucus” can jettison the threatening Senator Schumer and the dismal Senator Mitch McConnell, as the Fearful Caucus’s pre-condition to electing Joint Leadership, with joint committee chairmen in the Senate. Co-Leadership, Co-Chairmen, and balanced committee members, answerable to the “Fearful Caucus” members.

In this way, all power falls to the “Fearful Caucus” as the partisanship of both sides is in perfect, neutral if not neutered juxtaposition. If Senator Sinema and Senator Manchin realize their moment in history, we may have an operational “Third Party” or “Third Way” to power in the U.S. Senate.