Bernie Sanders were out in full force Monday morning at the Democratic National Convention, chanting his name at state delegation breakfasts and revolting against outgoing Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz – creating an ugly scene of disunity right at the outset of the four-day gathering.
Advertisement
In a statement, Wasserman Schultz said she still plans to fulfill her duties formally opening and closing the convention in Philadelphia.
“Michelle and I are grateful for her efforts, we know she will continue to serve our country as a member of Congress from Florida and she will always be our dear friend”.
“Going forward, the best way for me to accomplish those goals is to step down as Party Chair at the end of this convention”, the statement goes on.
Thank her for her hard work in getting President Obama re-elected and for all she has done for this Convention, but stress that Democrats can not have the appearance of disunity and chaos and give Republicans anything to capitalize on from this Convention. Later, Wasserman Schultz said she would not be gaveling in the start of the convention Monday afternoon.
Yet Wasserman Schultz recently proved a divisive leader, with the Sanders camp and its supporters concerned the DNC was angling for a Clinton nomination.
The decision comes shortly after the leak of almost 20,000 DNC emails, some of which suggest that the Democratic party may have tried to derail Bernie Sanders’ campaign in favor of Hillary Clinton.
A small number of people walked out of Wasserman Schultz’s speech. As a result, she will no longer open the Philadelphia convention, as is the usual tradition for the National Committee’s head of both major parties.
Bowen said recent events mean all eyes will be on Sanders, I-Vt., when he takes the podium in prime time tonight on Day 1 of the convention.
Among the emails included in the release by hackers Friday were plots by DNC staffers to plant questions about Sanders’ Jewish faith ahead of the Kentucky and West Virginia primary contests. Yikes, Democrats, you’re supposed to be the party that has it all put together.
Wasserman Schultz faced heavy criticism during the Democratic presidential primary for her perceived preferential treatment of Hillary Clinton on Senator Bernie Sanders.
“She’s been quarantined”, a party official told CNN.
Advertisement
“I stand with my Democratic family in making sure we win this fall”, said Maine lawmaker Diane Russell, a Sanders supporter.
