Sorting through 19,252 emails is not a welcome task for the easily bored, persons suffering from cataracts or — in the case of those released by WikiLeaks that originated from the Democratic National Committee — Hillary Clinton supporters.
The email dump — which includes 891 documents and 175 spreadsheets — has already prompted the resignation of DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, whose correspondence supported the notion that party officials favored Hillary Clinton’s campaign over rival Bernie Sanders despite officially claiming no favoritism.
As his vocal supporters march the streets in protest, Sanders issued the following statement: “Debbie Wasserman Schultz has made the right decision for the future of the Democratic Party. While she deserves thanks for her years of service, the party now needs new leadership that will open the doors of the party and welcome in working people and young people. The party leadership must also always remain impartial in the presidential nominating process, something which did not occur in the 2016 race.”
TheWrap scanned through the leaked docs and found a few of the most incriminating examples that of the DNC’s wrongdoings that support Bernie or Bust advocates who say that the system was rigged against him. Take a look.
1. Wasserman Schultz calls Sanders bid for the presidency “silly”
Scores of emails were sent to the DNC staff from Wasserman Schultz’s private email. One such correspondence referenced a Sanders appearance on CNN in which he said that if he were elected, Wasserman Schultz would be out. She simply retorted, “This is a silly story. He isn’t going to be president.”
2. A DNC staffer pitches an anti-Bernie story
Remember all that buzz about the Sanders campaign being an unorganized mess? Although it’s not clear what came first — the chicken or the egg — it looks like that story might have originated with DNC staffer Mark Paustenbach, who sent an email to communications director Luis Miranda suggesting a story about how the Sanders campaign was in disarray.
3. Staffers plan to question Sanders’ religious beliefs
As primaries approached in the states of Kentucky and West Virginia, the DNC suggested planting someone to question Sanders about his faith and then infer that he’s an atheist. “This could make several points difference with my peeps,” DNC’s Brad Marshall wrote. “My Southern Baptist peeps would draw a big difference between a Jew and an atheist.”
4. Polling locations reduced in Sanders-supported areas
Rhode Island Governor and Clinton backer Gina Raimondo became a topic of email conversation when a report surfaced showing that Bernie was leading in her state’s polls and the state was planning to reduce the number of polling locations.
“If she outperforms this polling, the Bernie camp will go nuts and allege misconduct,” one staffer wrote. Another responded, “They’ll probably complain regardless, actually. We might want to get out in front of this one with an inquiry to the RI Gov., even though she’s one of ours.”
5. DNC staffer describes Sanders as “obnoxious”
DNC National Finance Director Jordan Kaplan asked campaign strategist Mo Elleithee about Sanders’ surprise nearly five-point win in the Indiana primary: “What does her loss mean last night other than he raised four million. And is more obnoxious.” Elleithee responded, “Not a damn thing.”
6. Sanders’ campaign manager was called an “a–” and a “liar”
Wasserman Schultz and Sanders Campaign Manager Jeff Weaver have been anything but chummy. After video surfaced showing a ruckus erupting at the Nevada Democratic State Convention over delegate allocation, Weaver appeared on CNN and denied claims of violence. Upon learning of Weaver’s comments, DWS wrote, “Damn liar. Particularly scummy that he never acknowledges the violent and threatening behavior that occurred.” Later on the campaign trail, she was notified that Weaver planned on attending the Nevada Convention. Her response: “e is an a–.”
7. Ariana Grande licked by her donut-licking scandal
Even pop star got caught up in DNC drama. In fact, the pop star lost out on a potential gig to perform at a White House gala after DNC Finance Chair Zachary Allen asked that the singer be vetted because of her controversial donut-licking, “I hate America” incident last July.
A White House official quickly nixed any plan for a Grande performance at an Obama event: “Nope, sorry.”