The emails exposed several embarrassing and questionable party dealings, including an attempt to thwart former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ campaign to presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s benefit.
As journalists had time to read through them, unflattering stories started popping up. Once the headlines piled up, the apologies began.
In one of the emails that showed up on Wikileaks, DNC’s chief financial officer, Brad Marshall, went after Sanders’ religion with the following message to DNC staffers:
It might may (sic) 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.
Marshall apologized via a Facebook post:
I deeply regret that my insensitive, emotional emails would cause embarrassment to the DNC, the Chairwoman, and all of the staffers who worked hard to make the primary a fair and open process. The comments expressed do not reflect my beliefs nor do they reflect the beliefs of the DNC and its employees. I apologize to those I offended.
In the wake of the leak, DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz resigned. Donna Brazile stepped in as the organization’s interim chair.
RELATED: Keep your cool in a crisis with these 13 tips.
Shortly thereafter, the DNC itself issued a blanket apology to Sanders. The statement, which Brazile signed, read:
On behalf of everyone at the DNC, we want to offer a deep and sincere apology to Senator Sanders, his supporters, and the entire Democratic Party for the inexcusable remarks made over email.
Here’s the full statement:
JUST IN: DNC issues apology to Sanders and his supporters in statement as #DNCinPHL kicks off. http://pic.twitter.com/HysnRsJkxl
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) July 25, 2016
With the way that this convention (and election season) is progressing, it’s probable that we’ll see more of these apologies from party leaders.
Notably, Wasserman Schultz has not publicly apologized to Sanders or associated with the DNC. Instead, The New York Times reported:
In her resignation statement, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, a representative from Florida, said she would continue to fight for Mrs. Clinton from the sidelines.
“I know that electing Hillary Clinton as our next president is critical for America’s future,” Ms. Wasserman Schultz said in a statement. “I look forward to serving as a surrogate for her campaign in Florida and across the country to ensure her victory.”
She added, “Going forward, the best way for me to accomplish those goals is to step down as party chair at the end of this convention.”
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