Luke Skywalker
Super Moderator
{vb:raw ozzmodz_postquote}:
xEmbed
xShare
Confused about the Democratic National Committee email scandal? Here are five things to know.
Monday's start of the Democratic convention in Philadelphia has already been marred by an email scandal (I know — when will people STOP writing<span style="color: Red;">*</span>embarrassing things in emails?) that has claimed the job of Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Since the story shows no indication of fading,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>here's<span style="color: Red;">*</span>an explainer, in case you need to get caught up.
[h=2]What happened?[/h]Wikileaks released a bunch of emails over the weekend that showed her and<span style="color: Red;">*</span>other Democratic National Committee officials talking smack about Bernie Sanders and his campaign.
[h=2]So what?[/h]The emails provide support for the claims of Sanders and his supporters that the DNC was actively trying to thwart his insurgent campaign to beat Hillary Clinton for the party's presidential nomination. He lost, she won, he has come to Philadelphia to support her as she accepts the party's nomination — but a lot of his supporters are still furious.
[h=2]Did the emails provide proof?[/h]Not proof of any specific effort to undermine Sanders —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>just proof that some top people inside the DNC<span style="color: Red;">*</span>harbored anti-Sanders sentiments. In<span style="color: Red;">*</span>one email, Wasserman Schultz, angered by Sanders' campaign manager<span style="color: Red;">*</span>chairman alleging the party was treating his campaign unfairly, called him a "damn liar." Another email suggests staffers were plotting to raise Sanders' Jewish faith (or lack of faith) on the campaign trail.
[h=2]How did these emails get out?[/h]The answer is nobody knows<span style="color: Red;">*</span>— but The<span style="color: Red;">*</span>New York Times has a fascinating story suggesting they were swiped from the DNC by Russian hackers.
[h=2]Wait — the Russians are involved?[/h]The theory here is that the Russians would prefer a Trump presidency to a Clinton presidency, because<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Trump has offered some praise of Russian president Vladimir Putin and has suggested the U.S.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>might not defend NATO countries from a Russian attack.
[h=2]Is this for real?[/h]Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook told reporters Monday that Russian involvement is "troubling if it's true" and suggested "voters need to look at this." But Trump made fun of the whole theory Monday morning.
The new joke in town is that Russia leaked the disastrous DNC e-mails, which should never have been written (stupid), because Putin likes me
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2016
But he was also having a lot of fun with the whole story.
Here we go again with another Clinton scandal, and e-mails yet (can you believe). Crooked Hillary knew the fix was in, B never had a chance!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2016
[h=2]With Wasserman Schultz out — what happens to the convention?[/h]The show still goes on. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, will take over Wasserman Schultz's role as convention chair.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>DWS had said she would still gavel the convention open, but under a lot of pressure, she reversed field Monday afternoon, telling the Sen Sentinel that she would forego that honor to avoid disruptions at the start of the convention. Interesting side note:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Fudge represents Cleveland, so the city that starred in the<span style="color: Red;">*</span>GOP convention last week gets a prime role in the Democratic convention this week.
[h=2]OK, the boss quits. End of story?[/h]No way. There are still Sanders folks looking for a fight. While they can't deny Clinton the nomination, they can make a lot of noise. It would not be surprising to see a fight on the floor over the convention rules<span style="color: Red;">*</span>—<span style="color: Red;">*</span>not unlike the futile effort #NeverTrump<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Republican delegates staged last week —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>to try to limit the power of<span style="color: Red;">*</span>party leaders.
USA TODAY
Debbie Wasserman Schultz draws boos, cheers at Florida delegation breakfast
[h=4]Posted![/h]A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.
Powered By WizardRSS.com | Full Text RSS Feed