Debbie Wasserman Schultz: ‘The Democratic National Committee Remains Neutral’ (Video)

Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been the chair of the Democratic National Committee since 2011. (Real Clear Politics)

Debbie Wasserman Schultz appeared on CNN with Wolf Blizter on Tuesday, and the DNC chair blasted Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders for his response to the chaos at the Nevada State Democratic Convention.

“The Democratic National Committee remains neutral in this primary, based on our rules,” Wasserman Schultz said. “But when I heard what happened at the Nevada Democratic convention, I was deeply disturbed. Regardless of what any campaign says over process, there should never be a but when it comes to condemning violence. Unfortunately, the senator’s response was anything but acceptable. It certainly did not condemn the supporters for the violence and added more fuel to the fire.”

Sanders issued the following statement about the Nevada trouble:

“It is imperative that the Democratic leadership, both nationally and in the states, understand that the political world is changing and that millions of Americans are outraged at establishment politics and establishment economics. The people of this country want a government which represents all of us, not just the 1 percent, super PACs and wealthy campaign contributors.

“The Democratic Party has a choice. It can open its doors and welcome into the party people who are prepared to fight for real economic and social change – people who are willing to take on Wall Street, corporate greed and a fossil fuel industry which is destroying this planet. Or the party can choose to maintain its status quo structure, remain dependent on big-money campaign contributions and be a party with limited participation and limited energy.

“Within the last few days there have been a number of criticisms made against my campaign organization. Party leaders in Nevada, for example, claim that the Sanders campaign has a ‘penchant for violence.’ That is nonsense. Our campaign has held giant rallies all across this country, including in high-crime areas, and there have been zero reports of violence. Our campaign of course believes in non-violent change and it goes without saying that I condemn any and all forms of violence, including the personal harassment of individuals. But, when we speak of violence, I should add here that months ago, during the Nevada campaign, shots were fired into my campaign office in Nevada and apartment housing complex my campaign staff lived in was broken into and ransacked.

“If the Democratic Party is to be successful in November, it is imperative that all state parties treat our campaign supporters with fairness and the respect that they have earned. I am happy to say that has been the case at state conventions in Maine, Alaska, Colorado and Hawaii where good discussions were held and democratic decisions were reached. Unfortunately, that was not the case at the Nevada convention. At that convention the Democratic leadership used its power to prevent a fair and transparent process from taking place. Among other things:

*The chair of the convention announced that the convention rules passed on voice vote, when the vote was a clear no-vote. At the very least, the Chair should have allowed for a headcount. *The chair allowed its Credentials Committee to en mass rule that 64 delegates were ineligible without offering an opportunity for 58 of them to be heard. That decision enabled the Clinton campaign to end up with a 30-vote majority. *The chair refused to acknowledge any motions made from the floor or allow votes on them. *The chair refused to accept any petitions for amendments to the rules that were properly submitted.

“These are on top of failures at the precinct and county conventions including trying to depose and then threaten with arrest the Clark County convention credentials chair because she was operating too fairly.”

After Wasserman Schultz’s interview, the Sanders camp slammed her on Wednesday and claimed she is dividing the Democratic Party.

Mika Brzezinski from MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” called for Wasserman Schultz to resign as DNC chair, according to Mediaite.

CNN commentator Van Jones said he wished “Reince Priebus was my party chair,” Raw Story reported. Priebus is the chairman of the Republican National Committee.

To see what sparked this reaction, watch the CNN interview with Wasserman Schultz below.

—Posted by Eric Ortiz