Perhaps no one reading this here wants to reward Kyrsten Sinema for the many ways she’s failed America over the past two years, when she could have, by herself, made the lives better for tens, if not hundreds of millions of people.
However, politics is not only the art of the possible, but the science of the practical.
So, practically, how can we improve the United States Senate – right now, immediately, TODAY.
The easiest way involves replacing a non-Democrat with a Democrat. Barring an unexpected resignation among the Kansas Senators, the only obvious option is Arizona, where Governor Katie Hobbs (all cheer) can pick a replacement for someone – and, by law, she MUST PICK SOMEONE OF THE SAME PARTY AS WHEN THE SENATOR WAS LAST ELECTED/REELECTED.
Hello, Senator Ruben Gallego.
Of course, any Democrat picked by Hobbs, will, by definition, by better than a former Democrat like Senator Sinema. However, the only way to get Senator Sinema to leave now – as opposed to after a brutal, 3-way campaign in 2024, which she still might somehow win (or cede the seat to Lake/Masters or one of their clones) – will be to give her a shinier option than staying in the Senate for two more years, flying to Davos and elsewhere at her leisure, and continuing to make all Democrats hate her.
So, since none of her big donors actually appear eager to hire her right now, let’s ask the one guy who CAN hire her to a more impressive position to do so:
President Biden.
The United States sends ambassadors to more than 200 countries, with nearly 30 slots currently vacant.
We also send nearly a dozen ambassadors to the UN and its various organizations.
We even send 17 more ambassadors and ambassadors-at-large to various non-UN organizations– though, unfortunately, an appointment as United States Ambassador-at-large for Global Women’s Issues seems to lack the cachet of some of the other available positions.
What positions left unfilled might be good fits for the hopefully soon-to-be former Senator from Arizona, to the extent that they could convince her to leave her current post?
Let’s take a look:
1) The put-her-money-where-her-mouth-is post: United States Ambassador to Rwanda
Then-Rep. Sinema wrote her doctoral dissertation on Rwanda, published in 2015 as “Who Must Die in Rwanda’s Genocide?: The State of Exception Realized. She probably possesses more experience studying Rwanda than any other elected official in the country. While not a traditionally premier post, her appointment would make it so. If she remains passionate about this subject, then this could be a perfect fit. On the other hand, if she’s less idealistic now than seven years ago, other options about.
2) The put-everyone’s-money-where-her-mouth-is post: United States Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates
Dubai now reportedly ranks as the world’s #1 tourist destination, giving Senator Sinema the potential to run her own Davos-like meetings on an everyday basis. If she really just wants to spend her time among the world’s jetsetters, here’s her chance. Plus, she probably won’t mind the heat in UAE given she’s from Arizona, so she already should know how to cook eggs on the sidewalk, just like in Dubai.
3) The put-our-money-where-her-shoes-are post: United States Ambassador to Italy:
If Senator Sinema’s fashion sense ends up her primary north star, here’s her chance. Yes, having an experienced diplomat in Italy could help, but Cindy McCain’s already in Rome representing us at the Vatican. Why not double down with Arizona women? Rome offers basically all the benefits of Dubai for an Ambassador but in a country valued for more than just its money. If given these options, betting odds suggest this is where Senator Sinema lands – despite little relevant experience here (though that seems less disqualifying for her here than in the other top-tier open ambassadorship of India).
4) The sit-on-the-beach post: United States Ambassador to the Bahamas.
While Senator Sinema seems to aspire to something grander, if she wanted to kick back her heels for 2-6 years, few more pleasant options exist – especially, since she’s likely to be present there during their likely departure from the reign of current Monarch Charles III. Maybe they’ll be open to a replacement, since they definitely preferred their Queen for the last five decades.
5) The true international option: United States Ambassador to UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization)
The previous administration withdrew the US from UNESCO more than four years ago, and we need to pay $616M in membership fees to return. With Palestine still a member state, those factors could be unpalatable for too many in both parties. On the other hand, our lack of presence in UNESCO is an embarrassment that this administration seems determined to fix, and if this post appeals to Senator Sinema – as it would give her the opportunity to travel the globe at desired while still living near the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, a more desirable destination for most than even Davos – she probably personally possesses the connections in the Senate to guarantee both our return to UNESCO and her appointment to the position. Out of all of these, this position offers the biggest win-win for all parties — including America.
President Biden can and should present Senator Sinema with her choice of these positions. He would give her five options, all of which seem appropriate for her qualifications and background, and all of which are available right now and could be hers for the next 2-6 years (any of which posts, ironically enough, even would leave her short-listed for Secretary of State in future administrations, thus keeping her in the public consciousness of the chattering classes regardless of her future career plans).
Plus, Senator Sinema would enhance her international stature and make herself even MORE valuable whenever she reenters the private sector, making this a big win for her – unless she really prefers obstructionism and deal-making even more than serving her country in a more important role even as she continues to improve her personal network.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party 1) picks up a free Senate seat, 2) avoids the risks of a costly three-way election, and 3) might magically emerge with the 50+1 votes to nuke the filibuster.
Despite the likely desire of many folks reading this to punish Senator Sinema for her betrayals, the carrots here seem so much more effective than any stick.
No one loses here.
Everyone wins.
America wins.
Please, President Biden – make it happen.
Promote Senator Sinema to Ambassador Sinema…
…and give us Senator Ruben Gallego two years ahead of schedule.