Image: Kyrsten Sinema, Robert Reich, YouTube Screenshot, Twitter Screenshot

Robert Reich Backtracks After Using Violent ‘Idiom’ in Response to Kyrsten Sinema Shaking Hands With GOP Sens

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Democrat economist Robert Reich, who served in multiple administrations was one of many liberals who were triggered after U.S. Sen Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) shook hands with Republican Senators after saving the filibuster along with U.S. Sen Joe Manchin (D-WV).

Manchin, for his part, didn’t stick around, but Sinema was willing to accept the offering from Republicans potentially in hopes of being able to better work together moving forward.

In a now-deleted tweet, Reich used an “idiom” that could have been interpreted as him suggesting that Democratic Senators should have reacted with violence to the display by Sinema.

“Tonight, Republican senators lined up to shake Kyrsten Sinema’s hand. Democratic senators should have given her the backs of their hands,” Reich said in the tweet.

Twitter account “Defiant L’s” unearthed a previous tweet from Reich from July 2020 where he had quoted U.S. House Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) who was lecturing about “violent language” against women.

“I implore all men to let this sink in, and ask yourself how you’re going to upend that power structure,” Reich said at the time.

After removing the tweet, Reich attempted to explain his thinking.

“Last night I deleted a tweet because it was widely misinterpreted and distorted by conservative media. ‘Back of the hand’ is an idiom for rebuke. I wholeheartedly condemn violence against women,” Reich insisted.

Many, however, weren’t buying it and let Reich have it in the replies. Liberals, however, came to Reich’s defense as well.

David Caron
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