For months, critics and candidates have been publicly denouncing what they view as open favoritism of the Democratic National Committee (and particularly DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz) toward Hillary Clinton. Even DNC members have objected to the role of the DNC and the view that it is trying to guarantee that Clinton is the nominee. Despite fairly universal criticism of the favoritism showed Clinton (and opposition showed Sanders), Wasserman Shultz and DNC officials publicly denounced any such suggestions of working against Sanders. Now, with the Wikileaks postings, various emails prove that the DNC has been actively working to undermine Sanders and advance their chosen candidate of Hillary Clinton. What continues to shock me is the unblinking dishonesty of Washington. Absent this Wikileaks disclosure, officials would have continued to deny that they secretly undermined all challengers to Clinton. It is sheer mendacity of the power elite in this city that is so chilling.
WikiLeaks posted an email from Mark Paustenbach, the Democratic Party’s national press secretary and deputy communications director, to other staffers discussing how they could create an anti-Sanders narrative that portrays his campaign in disarray and not an acceptable option for voters.
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“Wondering if there’s a good Bernie narrative for a story, which is that Bernie never ever had his act together, that his campaign was a mess. . .“Specifically, DWS had to call Bernie directly in order to get the campaign to do things because they’d either ignored or forgotten to something critical. She had to call Bernie after the data breach to make his staff to respond to our concerns. Even then they didn’t get back to us, which is why we had to shut off their access in order to get them to finally let us know exactly how they snooped around HFA’s data.
“It’s not a DNC conspiracy, it’s because they never had their act together,” Paustenbach continued.
Other emails shows collusion with the Clinton campaign and even an effort to start an attack against Sanders on the basis of his religious beliefs. For example, a May 2016 message from DNC CFO Brad Marshall suggested that the party should “get someone to ask” Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders about his religious beliefs.
From:MARSHALL@dnc.org
To: MirandaL@dnc.org, PaustenbachM@dnc.org, DaceyA@dnc.org
Date: 2016-05-05 03:31
Subject: No shit
It might may no difference, but for KY and WVA can we get someone to ask his belief. Does he believe in a God. He had skated on saying he has a Jewish heritage. I think I read he is an atheist. This could make several points difference with my peeps. My Southern Baptist peeps would draw a big difference between a Jew and an atheist.
The email was sent to DNC Communications Director Luis Miranda and Deputy Communications Director Mark Paustenbach. It’s unclear who the “someone” in this message could be — though a member of the press seems like a safe bet. A request for comment sent to Marshall was not immediately returned.
So here you have not only a high ranking DNC official actively working to discredit Sanders (while the DNC is expressing shock over suggestions of favoritism) but suggesting a despicable attack based on his religious beliefs. The emails show both an campaign against Sanders and the falsity of statements made to the public.
A reply to Marshall’s email from DNC CEO Amy Dacey read only “AMEN.”
So it appears that religion runs deep among the DNC staff . . . at least when it comes to destroying Sanders and rigging the election for Clinton. The planned use of a candidate’s religious beliefs or agnostic views against him is a disgraceful and dishonorable act for any party. All of the officials planning such an attack (or staying silent with knowledge of such an attack) should be fired.
At a minimum, in my opinion, Wasserman Schultz should resign in light of these emails and the now reaffirmed allegations of bias at the DNC. Furthermore, these officials should be immediately held accountable if the DNC wishes to regain any semblance of being an honest broker for democratic voters.
What do you think?
Damn cut ‘n paste mistake. This is what I meant to post:
More on DNC and Wikileaks, Tim Black’s take:
Squeek,
Off topic, but Are you familiar with Diamond and Silk? Two black women who ardently support the Donald. I have seen them before at one of his rallies. This is a great interview with Cenk from TYT (The Young Turks):
@Steve
Or in the words of the late, great Sheldon Wolin “inverted totalitarianism” Wolin’s book “Democracy Incorporated” is an illuminating read. Chris Hedges sums it up rather well IMO: “Inverted totalitarianism is different from classical forms of totalitarianism. It does not find its expression in a demagogue or charismatic leader but in the faceless anonymity of the corporate state. Our inverted totalitarianism pays outward fealty to the facade of electoral politics, the Constitution, civil liberties, freedom of the press, the independence of the judiciary, and the iconography, traditions and language of American patriotism, but it has effectively seized all of the mechanisms of power to render the citizen impotent.”
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/sheldon_wolin_and_inverted_totalitarianism_20151101
Darren writes, “Honesty is becoming a trait neither admired nor followed. If anyone believes these types of intrigue and malfeasance will not be carried into a Clinton presidency they are being foolishly and dangerously mistaken. We should expect that it will only get worse once she is in a position of power and nearly impossible to dislodge since the Democratic Party will continue to protect her regardless.”
The only thing followed is money.
Got fascism?
Yet ANOTHER example of the hubris of the DNC – they are SO not into y’all – as usual DWS at the forefront:
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/23/establishment-wins-again-dnc-rules-committee-rejects-proposal-abolish-superdelegates
Sqeek
I love old movies as well as independent and foreign films. Another classic just came to mind: Citizen Kane
@Autumn
A Face In The Crowd was a great movie! I remember them sitting around the Pickle Jar, and the general with a straw in his mouth. And then Andy Griffith hollering “Stella! Stella!” at Patricia Neal! Oh those old movies were great!
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
@Sandi
RE: “We are unique. We are exceptional. We have freedoms other countries only dream of.” Travel much?
Like Debbie Downer’s resignation is going to do any good – she’s there in name only as of June 26, yet her successor is another Hillarybot, so WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE? (haha, could not resist).
http://observer.com/2016/06/dnc-chair-debbie-wasserman-schultz-is-finally-kicked-to-the-curb/
@Don
quite right – there have always been backroom shenanigans – thanks to the net though it’s harder to hide. Not that facts deter Hilbots =)
your razzle dazzle ditty reminds me of Elia Kazan’s classic “Face in the Crowd”
Let’s see HRC’s Wall St. speech transcripts.
Socialist Sam, I don’t think you listened to Trump’s speech Thursday night. Obviously not, or you wouldn’t be describing him with Hitler, et al. I don’t think Trump is running for himself. Like a lot of us over the past 7-1/2 years, he saw no solution. None of the 16 other candidates got what he was doing. When you know there’s no one you see ready to do what needs to be done, you raise your hand to get the job done. He didn’t need it, probably didn’t want to impact his family so much, was hoping someone else could do it. But when it’s your turn and you know it, the pressure you put on yourself is intense. He hasn’t spent his life aiming for this job. He’s done none of the things people generally do (run for offices). He took on something HUGE because it needed to be done. ISIS has got to be destroyed and Hillary had no desire for that. Our military is underemployed and equipment not getting repairs needed. Obama was supposed to help these kids from inner cities who need so much. But he never lifted a finger. Americans were paying taxes without getting results. Regulations invented by Obama folks, never passed by Congress as our Constitution requires. Regulations putting people out of business or not starting one in the first place. Obama should have been impeached except the people we vote and pay salaries to didn’t have the guts. Spend a day watching CSpan, we pay these people to do what they do. We need Donald Trump to sweep out the cobwebs and restyle our government as businesses have been doing for years. We need someone who doesn’t need this title. We need he and all the people he brings with him to straighten out a mess and get this country back to what it was intended to be 240 years ago. We need him desperately. And thank God he’s willing to step into chaos and bring us back to who we are. We are unique. We are exceptional. We have freedoms other countries only dream of. We have a Constitution keeping the people doing our business in line. The least every American can do is listen. If Mr. Trump becomes President, we the people must stand behind him with the strength our Creator gave to us to use. We the people must quit complaining and do whatever you can to help. Clean your streets. Clean your parks. Put trash where it belongs. Do not drive drunk. And most of all don’t take drugs. Drugs are impeding everyone from being the best they can be and every American is better without drugs We will help you. Just ask your country for help and it will come. But both the person using drugs and the person helping them must commit themselves to winning that battle and be a part of the greatest country the world has ever known. Let’s keep it that way
,
I’m shocked that Turley is shocked at the mendacity of the power elite. We are witness to the fall of an empire. We are a nation of laws no longer. Our ruling class is rotten to the core. Wasserman-Shultz looks like a vampire. Hillary looks manic. Supreme Leader Trump channels Hitler, Mussolini, Goebbels, and Kim Jong-Un. Woe! Woe! The end is nigh.
Something has been traveling around my brain looking for wisdom. I caught it! I think friends of Clinton’s started this talk about Hillary considering her election Obama III. Noooooo! It will actually be Bubba III! She may not even be sitting in the Oval all the time. Sneaky? Trump would be in the Oval with family, Pence, and other trusted advisors. I didn’t think Melania looked happy Thursday night. They have to be guarded 24 hours a day. Worry of something happening to her son, Brandon. Brandon should spend his summer vacation with Dad. No better way to learn about this country.
I hope Johnson is chatting with Bernie. That way instead of pulling votes from Republicans they can do the patriotic thing and pull votes from Bernie’s millenials. Although, what happens if Johnson wins? Total chaos. Cruz can bid farewell from the GOP. I didn’t like him anyway. But the Bern getting pissed at the Clintons and the DNC would be nervana. Trump is a smart guy and I bet he himself is chatting with Johnson or Don Jr. and Eric. If they say it Dad said go for it. What would Johnson want? A cabinet position? That’s like winning. But his VP could be of great value in coordinating legislation. I’m not letting myself get too excited, but when Trump wins this country is going to get a kick in the pants. A long deserved one. No Clintons in DC. No Kennedy’s. The Bushes can relax because next up is son of Jeb, George P. Hispanic!
And not just ‘mendacity’: ‘womendacity’!
Anyone who thinks that this kind of stuff didn’t happen on both sides of the political aisle before email and the internet were ubiquitous is kidding themselves.
So you’re shocked that there is gambling going on in the casino, Prof. Turley?
Thank you Wikileaks for making this public. Wasserman-Schulz is really bad news.
In other news, I heard a rumor that Donald Trump may soon announce that his campaign theme song is Razzle Dazzle. Here are the lyrics, and they are a perfect fit:
Give ’em the old razzle dazzle
Razzle Dazzle ’em
Give ’em an act with lots of flash in it
And the reaction will be passionate
Give ’em the old hocus pocus
Bead and feather ’em
How can they see with sequins in their eyes?
What if your hinges all are rusting?
What if, in fact, you’re just disgusting?
Razzle dazzle ’em
And they;ll never catch wise!
Give ’em the old Razzle Dazzle
Razzle dazzle ’em
Give ’em a show that’s so splendiferous
Row after row will grow vociferous
Give ’em the old flim flam flummox
Fool and fracture ’em
How can they hear the truth above the roar?
Roar, roar, roar!
Throw ’em a fake and a finagle
They’ll never know you’re just a bagel,
Razzle dazzle ’em
And they’ll beg you for more!
Give ’em the old double whammy
Daze and dizzy ’em
Back since the days of old Methuselah
Everyone loves the big bambooz-a-lah
Give ’em the old three ring circus
Stun and stagger ’em
When you’re in trouble, go into your dance
Though you are stiffer than a girder
They’ll let you get away with murder
Razzle dazzle ’em
And you’ve got a romance
Give ’em the old Razzle Dazzle
Razzle dazzle ’em
Show ’em the first rate sorcerer you are
Long as you keep ’em way off balance
How can they spot you’ve got no talents?
Razzle Dazzle ’em
Razzle Dazzle ’em
Razzle Dazzle ’em
And they’ll make you a star!
SMM,
While it would very likely be true that: “Trump does not want to kill white christian babies just the “others” It’s absolutely true that Obama has already done this, once again, just this week.
I will never understand why you are so upset about Trump potentially murdering the babies of black and brown people while you steadfastly support Obama’s actual murders. That just doesn’t make sense. To a person on the outside of the Democratic party this seems depraved. If these potential murders are wrong and should be opposed, why not oppose the actual murders taking place as well?