Romney's Exit Sparks Senate Middle Collapse and Calls for New Leadership

Mitt Romney's retirement from the Senate highlights the uncertain future of the Senate's ideological center, with the potential departures of centrist Democrats Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema further exacerbating the situation. The loss of these moderates could lead to a collapse of bipartisan cooperation in the Senate, hindering the passage of legislation. The Senate's recent success in passing bipartisan deals may become a thing of the past, as the House is now controlled by Republicans who are less inclined to compromise. The retirements of Romney, Manchin, and Sinema would significantly impact the Senate's ability to work across party lines, potentially leaving only a handful of centrist senators to bridge the divide.