Wasserman Schultz faces harsh reception at Democratic convention

PHILADELPHIA – Four years after the Democratic National Convention marked a highlight of Debbie Wasserman Schultz's career, the 2016 gathering has already proved to be a low point, with the Florida congresswoman stepping down as party chairwoman, getting booed in front of her home-state delegation and being pushed off the convention stage entirely.

There has been criticism of her role running the party for a while, but emails leaked over the weekend showing party leaders were clearly supporting Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders during the primary process caused her to become a lightning rod on the first day of the convention.

Demonstrators held signs with messages like “E-mails,” and the sarcastic “Thanks for the 'Help' Debbie."

"It's unfortunate. I think the Bernie people just haven't decided to give up yet," said Mike Langton, a former Florida lawmaker and delegate from Jacksonville.

In Charlotte in 2012, Wasserman Schultz stood at a breakfast for the state's delegation to the convention and enthused about her role as "a Florida girl ... representing our state and being the political voice of our president and our party." But during a delegation breakfast Monday in Philadelphia, she could hardly get a word in edgewise.

"It is so wonderful to be able to be here with my home state," Wasserman Schultz said, as a cascade of boos and heckling began. "All right, everybody. Now, settle down."

The appearance came less than 24 hours after Wasserman Schultz announced she would step down as chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee at the conclusion of this week's convention.

"Turmoil? I guess I see it as energy. You know, this is what makes a democracy a democracy. It's people," said Allison Tant, chair of the Florida Democratic Party. "I love the passion that is here in this room. I love the energy that is in this room. We are going to be a great, unified party coming out of this."

Tant and Jacksonville delegate Allison Tant said they support Wasserman Schultz as she steps down party leadership.

"I think that it was the best thing, recognizing that we don't want anything to come into the way of making sure everyone is focused on November, and making sure if Hillary gets elected, and as we go through this process, we know that sometimes we have to do that," Tant said.

Wasserman Schultz was tripped up after leaked internal party emails raised questions about her impartiality in the presidential primary between former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the eventual nominee, and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. The emails are believed to have been obtained by Russian hackers.

Some Sanders supporters Monday shouted "Shame on you!" at Wasserman Schultz, while her supporters chanted her first name. The congresswoman tried to put a brave face on the intense interest surrounding her decision to resign as party chair, reportedly under pressure.

"I can see there's a little bit of interest in my being here," she said. "I appreciate that interest. And a little bit of interest from the press. But that really shows you that Florida is the most significant battleground state that will make sure that Hillary Clinton is elected president of the United States."

Sanders delegates said there was no reason for the congresswoman to be surprised by the reception she received.

"I think something had to be said. It's incredibly tone-deaf to have Debbie Wasserman Schultz here at the moment in light of recent developments. I think we have to be respectful of the other candidate Bernie Sanders," said A.J. Nichols, who supports Sanders. 

Supporters of the Vermont senator, who had been a political independent before deciding to seek the Democratic presidential nomination, believed even before the emails were released that Wasserman Schultz was unfairly supporting Clinton.

"We ask that she does not be a part of this convention," Sanders supporter from Gainesville said. "I want her to say 'I am going to unite the party by not showing my face.'"

"I was shocked that Congresswoman Schultz showed up," said Miguel Valdez, a delegate for Sanders from Florida's 5th Congressional District. "I had thought that she would have thought better of it, but she did not."

After the raucous appearance at the Florida breakfast, Wasserman Schultz backed off plans to gavel the convention into order Monday, apparently in an attempt to avoid a repeat of the scene.

In addition to their problems with how the primary contest was overseen, many Sanders supporters said they were upset that Wasserman Schultz was quickly given a new position within the Clinton campaign. Clinton announced Sunday that the congresswoman would chair the campaign's "50-state program."

"Then for the Clinton campaign to reward her with a job in 32 minutes after she stepped down is just like, 'We don't need you Bernie supporters; we're good. We've got this wrapped up. Why are you even here?' It's very disrespectful," said Shane Harris, a Sanders delegate from Orlando.

But Wasserman Schultz supporters argued that what was disrespectful was the treatment of the party chairwoman at the breakfast.

"I thought they were rude and obnoxious and that we need a discourse," said state Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood.

Wasserman Schultz had many supporters in the room.

"She's done phenomenal work," Jacksonville delegate Lisa King said. "A party chairman's job is to elect people from their political party and re-elect Barack Obama. So she's done her job. She's doing a good job."

Sanders showed no signs of sadness Monday about Wasserman Schultz's departure. At a rally for Sanders delegates in Philadelphia, the crowd roared when Sanders brought up Wasserman Schultz's departure.

"Her resignation opens up the possibility of new leadership at the top of the Democratic Party that will stand with working people and that will open the doors of the party to those people who want real change," Sanders said.


At the same event, though, it became clear that the divisions within the party caused by the spirited primary between Clinton and Sanders linger. The senator pushed for unity to defeat Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.

"We have got to elect Hillary Clinton and (vice presidential candidate) Tim Kaine," he said as some delegates cheered and many booed. "This is the real world that we live in."

Meanwhile, Florida delegates and officials began to assess the fallout of Wasserman Schultz's resignation. Former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham said the loss of a party chair would not affect Florida's profile given the state's outsized role in presidential elections.

"I think that Florida is so important as the biggest swing state in the country ... that I don't think it will ever be characterized as anything other than a superstate for American politics," Graham said.

But even supporters of Wasserman Schultz seemed unsure about how much damage the events could cause the longtime lawmaker. Sanders has endorsed Tim Canova, a primary challenger to Wasserman Schultz in her South Florida district.

Before the endorsement, Canova was a little-known figure. But by the end of June, his fundraising total had swelled to almost $2.3 million, while Wasserman Schultz had raised almost $3.1 million. Canova also trails in the cash-on-hand department, but still has more than $986,000 left.

"I hope not," Sobel said when asked if Wasserman Schultz was in danger in the district, as well. "I don't know. I think there are people just like myself who believe that Debbie has done so much for our community. She's a known entity. We know what she can do. And she will continue fighting."

Sen. Bill Nelson will speak to the Florida delegation at a breakfast Tuesday, along with former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. 


About the Authors:

Kent Justice co-anchors News4Jax's 5 p.m., 10 and 11 p.m. newscasts weeknights and reports on government and politics. He also hosts "This Week in Jacksonville," Channel 4's hot topics and politics public affairs show each Sunday morning at 9 a.m.