IL delegates agree with Wasserman Schultz resignation

On the eve of the convention to formally nominate Hillary Clinton, which officials signaled would be a celebration of the newfound unity between the progressive and centrist wings of the party as recently as last week, Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has said she will resign after the summit.

“To not be fair during this entire process, it’s kind of shameful”, delegate Sanjay Patel, a Sanders supporter from Brevard County said before she spoke at Florida delegation breakfast.

Close to two dozen speakers are on Monday’s agenda, including Sanders and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Sanders had previously asked for the resignation of Wasserman Schultz from the Democratic National Committee and reiterated that call Sunday.

A cache of leaked emails from Democratic Party leaders’ accounts includes at least two messages suggesting an insider effort to cripple the upstart Sanders campaign that had competed with Clinton – including by seeking to present him as an atheist to undermine him in highly religious states.

“Absolutely, she is not welcome”, Alexander said of the DNC chair.

And while he was speaking, Wasserman Schultz announced she would not gavel in the convention, an embarrassing acknowledgment that her presence onstage would only showcase deep party divisions.

Some at the breakfast defended Wasserman Schultz and described the protest against her as unnecessarily heated.

Clinton issued a statement to thank Wasserman Schultz and to state her friend “will continue to serve as a surrogate for my campaign nationally, in Florida, and in other key states”.

“She’s been quarantined”, another top Democrat said, following a meeting Saturday night. But he doesn’t think he’ll actively campaign for her. On Sunday, Clinton said in a statement that she was appointing Wasserman Schultz as “honorary chair of my campaign’s 50-state program”.

Organizers of the event had to quiet the crowd before Wasserman Schultz could address the packed house.

Emails related to DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s trip to Alaska were part of the release.

The scandal is an unwanted distraction as the Democratic Party tries to paint itself as paint itself as unified at the four-day convention.