Sen. Mitt Romney throws Sen. Kyrsten Sinema under the bus (with a bunch of others)

Republican Sen. Mitt Romney was never much of a pugilist.

He may have administered a polite jab now and then, but never a jaw-breaking uppercut, never a devastating hook.

Since deciding to hang up his gloves and step out of the political boxing ring, however, Romney has been throwing haymakers.

His recently published biography is filled with them.

And as it turns out, he lands a decent roundhouse blow to the midsection of Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s reputation.

Romney is tough on Trump and DeSantis

She’s not alone.

In his book Romney says Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has “no warmth at all,” though he says he’s smarter than Trump.

Of Trump Romney says, “I think he’s not smart. I mean, really not smart.”

He calls Newt Gingrich “a smug know-it-all.” Calls Republican Sen. Ted Cruz “frightening,” “scary,” and “a demagogue.” It goes on and on.

Then, there’s Sinema.

Then, there's 'I can do anything' Sinema

Business Insider wrote about an exchange Romney describes in the biography, which is called “Romney: A Reckoning.”

According to Romney, Sinema told him she wasn’t concerned about getting reelected because she could “do anything” once she’s out of office and feels that what she’s done in the Senate is “good enough.”

She’s quoted as saying, “I don’t care. I can go on any board I want to. I can be a college president. I can do anything.”

Risky business: Sinema is counting on Republicans to win

Romney says Sinema told him, “I saved the Senate filibuster by myself. I saved the Senate by myself. That’s good enough for me.”

Senator's staff offers a different version

The Arizona senator’s staff, sensing this might come off as just a bit — or more — vainglorious, issued a statement contesting the accuracy of Romney’s account.

Sinema’s spokesperson said, “Private conversations are easily misconstrued and mistaken during the game of telephone. When asked about whether she was concerned that her stance on the filibuster could endanger her reelection chances, Kyrsten stated what she has stated for years now; she is not worried about winning the next election, and instead she is laser-focused on her ability and the Senate’s ability to deliver lasting results for our country.”

Easily misconstrued and mistaken.

I guess that’s possible.

Still, I’ve got a feeling I know which version of the exchange most of Sinema’s constituents will believe.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com

For more opinions content, please subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mitt Romney throws Kyrsten Sinema under the bus