Reports: Dems Weighing Effort To Oust DNC Chair Before Election

Democratic National Committee Chair,  Rep Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., is interviewed by Maria Bartiromo during her "Mornings with Maria" program, on the Fox Business Network, Monday, March 21, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Democratic National Committee Chair, Rep Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., is interviewed by Maria Bartiromo during her "Mornings with Maria" program, on the Fox Business Network, Monday, March 21, 2016, in New York... Democratic National Committee Chair, Rep Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., is interviewed by Maria Bartiromo during her "Mornings with Maria" program, on the Fox Business Network, Monday, March 21, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) MORE LESS
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Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s (D-FL) days as chair of the Democratic National Committee could be numbered, according to a Tuesday report from The Hill, as elected officials discuss replacing her ahead of the general election.

Anonymous sources in the party told the site they’re concerned Wasserman Schultz has become too divisive a character during the primary season and her leading the committee into November could set back efforts to rally around the nominee.

“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,” a Democratic senator who backs Hillary Clinton said. “I don’t see how she can continue to the election. How can she open the convention?”

The senator also said “Sanders supporters would go nuts” if Wasserman Schultz was allowed to continue and that about a dozen lawmakers have talked about the prospect behind closed doors.

Another anonymous senior Democratic senator confirmed to CNN lawmakers are discussing removing the chair.

“There is a lot of sentiment that replacing her would be a good idea. It is being discussed quietly among Democratic senators on the floor, in the cloakroom and in lunches,” the lawmaker said.

But Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) told The Hill she wasn’t aware of any talk about usurping the chair and said Wasserman Schultz “really gave a lot of room to Bernie supporters.”

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), asked about the prospect of an ouster, said: “That’s not going to happen. I certainly wouldn’t let it happen.”

In a statement to TPM, DNC spokeswoman Luis Miranda downplayed the anonymously-sourced reports and said the chair would continue to focus on uniting the party.

“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,” Miranda said.

President Obama chose Wasserman Schultz to lead the DNC in 2011. In 2008, she endorsed Clinton over Obama in the Democratic primary.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has often sparred with the DNC chair, accusing her of favorable treatment of Clinton, and said over the weekend he supports Wasserman Schultz’s primary challenger.

This post has been updated.

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Notable Replies

  1. And whoever they replace her with will also be vilified by the Sanders team, but it may be a necessary evil to placate some of his supporters.

  2. I don’t think she should be re-appointed after her term, we’ve lost a lot of local & state races under her leadership, I don’t feel she’s done a great job. But I don’t want to see her sacrificed to the howling cry babies in the Sanders campaign, because … fuck them, they’re a bunch of howling cry babies and this would only encourage them.

  3. I’m no fan of DWS, but replacing her now would be a public relations nightmare for the Democrats and a gift to Trump.

    She needs to go—right after the election.

    Her role at the convention can be altered if necessary to assuage the hurt feelings of those delicate souls in the failed Bernie campaign.

  4. Get “50 State” Howard Dean back .
    Or a least someone who has a clue, the cajones and knows how to help the down tickets with credible candidates.
    I live in Florida .
    Rick Scott? As popular as Ebola and he wins two terms .
    Thanks DWS

  5. Who cares if Sanders supporters will “go nuts?” The small minority of them that go nuts about everything will go nuts about whatever is done about her and anything else, so there’s no point in ousting her right now. The rational thing to do is replace her once her term is up, not capitulate to the people who won’t be placated by it anyway because they’ll find something else to yell about.

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