Embattled DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz vowed to stay in her job Wednesday, and said she is “not at all” distracted by criticism and calls for her resignation by fellow Democratic lawmakers.
“I’m working very hard and focused on making sure we can elect a Democratic president and getting prepared for the general election,” Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., said in an interview outside the House chamber.
Some Democratic lawmakers are coming to the defense of Wasserman Schultz, even as her critics say she should resign in order to bring unity to the party following a divisive primary.
Among her supporters is Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., who is the former head of the House Democratic campaign arm.
“What’s happening is this is the consummate beltway brawl that is wrapping everyone here in drama and is completely irrelevant to every other American,” said Israel, head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee from 2011 until 2015. “Arguing about who should be the head of the DNC is not the way to win this election. I don’t believe the argument would stop even if she did step aside.”
Israel predicted the voter divide over Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders won’t end when Clinton secures the requisite delegates.
“This is an argument that looks like it will go to the convention floor,” said Israel, a Clinton backer. “At that point, we are going to need to unify.”
Israel said Democrats should stop arguing about Wasserman Schultz and instead focus on defeating presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump.
“We should leave this debate as soon as possible,” he said.
