Very disappointing Sen. Kelly, very disappointing.

[grantcart]

Clicking thru the channels and stopped when I saw Sen. Kelly on CNN


He answered questions about the border by stressing how he was working with Republican Senators to find answers and how he disagreed with Biden on some issues.

Fine, I understand the need to be independent in Arizona but then Tapper asked him about the 2024 Senate race he spoke warmly about how effective Sinema was (throwing up in my mouth) and refused to say he would support the Democratic Party nominee in 2024.

At some point leaders have to take a leadership position.

Just so disappointed.

[onecaliberal]

1. Wtf?

[PortTack]

2. Yes...that is very disappointing!

[stopdiggin]

3. Sinema WAS effective

just not with the Democratic, Biden agenda.

And that might have been what Kelly meant (I didn't see interview). I take it he also did not offer an 'endorsement' of the independent candidate? Let's not rush ...

[grantcart]

4. He was praising Sinema

He was asked point blank if he was going to support the Democratic nominee, he didn't answer the question.

The backstory, as AZ Democrats know, is that Gabby Gifford's very early endorsement of Sinema on her first Senate campaign froze the field and handed the nomination to Sinema.

I spent hundreds of hours working for Sinema when she was a Democrat and attended Kelly's announcement for Senate. Senator Kelly only joined the Democratic Party in 2018.

Given Gifford's very early endorsement of Sinema Kelly's demurring in announcing support for the Democratic nominee is a bitter disappointment.

[stopdiggin]

6. I can see that you're much more vested

than I. And, you saw the interview - which I did not.

I still think the likelihood is great that Kelly will be a strong supporter (and probably campaigner) for the Democratic nominee. While doing so on his own time table.

All the same - your grievance is perhaps justified. (and perhaps I misread the Senator entirely)

[grantcart]

7. I, and many of my friends, are very invested in Kelly

We didn't want them to defer to Sinema the first time.

Kelly/Gifford were instrumental in picking Sinema in the primary.

Many of us hoped that Kelly would use his seat to become an orator on issues for the "radical center" like dreamers, the environment and tax equity but have been astonished by his super low profile. He hasn't even made much on his signature issue of universal background checks. We accept it with regret but Arizona Democrats are absolutely united and excited about Gallegos defeating Sinema. Beyond the more well publicized moves she made against filibuster reform, enforcing voting rights, negotiating lower drug prices, etc are such banalities as her struggling on Trump's impeachment and only deciding to vote for it at the last second. She undercuts Democratic Party positions and gives Republican Senators justification to not do the right thing.

Kelly will do the right thing, he will say the right thing but sadly he isn't going to lead on any important issue.

I will add the link to the video in a minute:


https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2023/03/19/kelly-full.cnn

His praise for Sinema starts at 8:30

"worked very closely with her in a very positive way"

refused to pledge support for the Democratic nominee.

What AZ Democrats are mostly invested in is sending Sinema into the trash can of history.

[Kali]

5. oh man

that is disappointing. I agree he has to play kind of indy for here, but ugh.

[ChazII]

8. Sen. Kelly's campaign commercials

seemed to stress, imho, how would represent the state of Arizona and stand up to President Biden if he felt Biden's position was wrong.

[grantcart]

9. Nothing wrong with that. Here he is declining to say that he will vote

for the Democratic nominee for US Senate.