The call to remove DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz before the convention is trending on Facebook with #DumpDebbie, though it’s gained attention from Democrats on Capitol Hill as well.
Bernie Sanders and his supporters have criticized the leadership of Wasserman Schultz throughout the primary, saying she has been more favorable to Hillary Clinton. But, Democrats backing Hillary also worry about the divisiveness of Wasserman Schultz, The Hill reported.
An anonymous Democratic senator supporting Hillary told The Hill that about a dozen of senators privately discussed Wasserman Schultz’s future last week. “There have been a lot of meetings over the past 48 hours about what color plate do we deliver Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s head on,” the senator said. The lawmaker also expressed concerns about Wasserman Schultz’s future in noting “I don’t see how she can continue to the election. How can she open the convention? Sanders supporters would go nuts.”
Concern for Sanders supporters was a common theme among those expressing reservations with keeping Wasserman Schultz. Another Democratic senator supporting Hillary suggested Wasserman Schultz would bring more harm than help.
“They need to know this is their party,” the lawmaker said, who also noted that replacing the DNC Chair could help rally young liberals. Young people favor Sanders overwhelmingly, and aren’t guaranteed to support Hillary in the general election.
Wasserman Schultz has already had her role in the convention limited. While she could have appointed all 15 members of the platform committee, she only picked four while Hillary picked six and Sanders five.
There are Democrats sticking by Wasserman Schultz, including:
- Sen. Barbara Mikulski (Md.)
- Sen. Bill Nelson (Fla.)
- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.)
- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.)
- Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.), who is a former DNC Chair and is at the top of a list put together by betters regarding Hillary’s vice-president.
- House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.)
- Vice President Joe Biden
- House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (Md.)
- House Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra (Calif.).
DNC Communications Director Luis Miranda says “the real story is you have a bunch of notable U.S. senators and members of Congress on the record expressing support for the strong leadership Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz has provided at the party, and an anonymous source who disagrees.”
Still, a neutral Democratic strategist who has been in talks with both Hillary and Sanders constituencies said a new chairman “would help everyone,” including the Hillary campaign, as “a symbol to the Bernie people that Hillary is helping them.”
Wasserman Schultz endorsed Hillary in 2008, making it potentially unlikely Hillary would join in the call to #DumpDebbie. If her priority is to win over young Sanders supporters however, it will be a decision worth considering.
