DNC apologizes to Bernie Sanders in wake of email hack

By Morgan Allen
Journalism Intern

Following an email hack of the Democratic National Convention and in the wake of the resignation of party chair Deborah Wasserman-Schultz, the DNC has released a statement regarding the campaign of Bernie Sanders. Supporters, and Sanders himself had frequently remarked along the campaign trail that the Democratic Party had been favoring Hillary Clinton instead of remaining neutral as promised. The email hack revealed that the DNC had broken their vow of neutrality during the primaries.

“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. A statement signed by DNC leaders said “These comments do not reflect the values of the DNC or our steadfast commitment to neutrality during the nominating process” and was released July 25, 2016, though Wasserman-Schultz’s name was absent. 

Furthermore, the committee promises that they are “taking appropriate action” to ensure it never happens again. The emails, released by WikiLeaks, were revealed just days before the convention began, marring the united front the Democrats wished to bring to Philadelphia.

Although Sanders has been vocally supporting Clinton since his withdrawal from the race, some of his supporters refuse to back Clinton, booing at the mention of her name and chanting for Senator Sanders during the opening ceremony.

“I am going to be respectful of you and I want you to be respectful of me. We are all Democrats, and we need to act like it. Let’s do it!” Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge, permanent chair of the Democratic convention said above the jeers. The Sanders campaign has reportedly asked that supporters not protest on the convention floor.

The full statement is as follows:

“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. These comments do not reflect the values of the DNC or our steadfast commitment to neutrality during the nominating process. The DNC does not — and will not — tolerate disrespectful language exhibited toward our candidates. Individual staffers have also rightfully apologized for their comments, and the DNC is taking appropriate action to ensure it never happens again.

“We are embarking on a convention today that — thanks to the great efforts of Secretary Clinton, her team, Senator Sanders, his team, and the entire Democratic Party — will show a forward-thinking and optimistic vision for America, as compared to the dark and pessimistic vision that the GOP presented last week in Cleveland. Our focus is on electing Hillary Clinton, Tim Kaine and Democrats across the country, thanks to Democratic Party that is strong, unified, and poised for victory in November.”

Donna Brazile, Incoming Interim Chair
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Secretary
Andrew Tobias, Treasurer
Raymond Buckley, Vice Chair, ASDC President
Maria Elena Durazo, Vice Chair
Mayor R.T. Rybak, Vice ChairHenry R. Muñoz III, National Finance Committee Chair

Copyright 2016 The Gayly - 7/25/16 @ 5:16 p.m. CDT