Sinematic

By Miss Kubelik

As you might imagine, we cats have seen a lot of people trashing Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema on Twitter. We haven't joined in. Yes, we're frustrated with the slow pace of the Build Back Better negotiations, but A) progressives are being just as stubborn, B) we don't believe in attacking fellow Democrats, and C) Republicans on the Hill have effectively given up on governing, which means that all the arguing is on our side. Perspective, everyone!

(Besides, if there's anything January 6 and the last few nightmarish years have taught us, it's who we really need to worry about. We have met the enemy, and he is Trump.)

Today's big objection to Sinema is that she presided over the Senate wearing a denim vest. As usual, we refuse to jump on the Outrage Train — first, because of item B (above). But also because, goodness gracious. Are we so upset with Sinema that we'd rather go back to the days of Martha McSally?

Thanks, but we'll pass: Arizona is a swing state, and it's because of victorious Democrats like Sinema and Mark Kelly and, yes, Manchin (the only Democrat who could possibly win in West Virginia) that Chuck Schumer is Senate Majority Leader and not Mitch McConnell. And Schumer's Senate has confirmed a record number of judges for President Joe Biden since January.

True confessions here: Sinema's look is something we secretly wish we could pull off. It must require a lot more gym time than we're interested in, and it isn't always great. (Remember that junior-high getup she wore when she voted down the $15 minimum wage?) But we'll always admire her ensemble on her Senate swearing-in day, and how uncomfortable it must have made Mike Pence. We cats PURR.