Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, the embattled chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, who most recently faced the embarrassing release of e-mails where her subordinates openly talked about undermining Bernie Sanders’ campaign, will step down after the Democratic Convention ends.
Advertisement
Wasserman Schultz announced Sunday that she would be resigning in the wake of an email scandal in which it appeared she and other party officials were trying to aid Hillary Clinton and hurt Sanders, but she planned to gavel the convention in and out.
That background has cast a dark cloud over her speeches and representation in the party. As she began talking, though, audience members wearing Bernie Sanders shirts started shouting and yelling, waving signs that said “Thanks for the “Help” Debbie” and signs that simply read “e-mails”.
Earlier Sunday, a report stated she would not be allowed to chair the Democratic National Convention but her release indicated she would remain in her role until the end of the convention.
“I will make sure that Florida has a loud voice, to speak loud and proud on our values”, Wasserman Schultz added. We had a wonderful conversation. “I look forward to serving as a surrogate for her campaign in Florida and across the country to ensure her victory”.
“The anger over leaked emails showing DNC officials plotting against the primary campaign of Vermont Sen”.
“Particularly scummy that he barely acknowledges the violent and threatening behavior that occurred”, she continued.
The discussions were prompted in part by the publication last week of some 19,000 hacked emails, some of which suggested the DNC was favoring Clinton during the primary season.
The prospect of the unity convention opening to a cascade of boos could well mean Wasserman Schultz falls on her sword a second time. Sanders had called for her resignation in the past.
On Monday morning, she was booed and jeered as she addressed delegates from her own state of Florida.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Hillary Clinton knew full well that the DNC was working with them and for them the whole way through, and now they’re sort of going to act like they didn’t know what was going on”, he said. “So, I’m not quite shocked by this”, Sanders said.
Advertisement
“She’ll be cheering her fellow dems from the sidelines”, tweeted Hilary Rosen, a longtime Democratic strategist and friend of embattled chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
