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Reports: Murmurs About Ousting Wasserman Schultz at DNC

Some senators say DNC leader 'too toxic' to reunite party after primaries

One senator anonymously said ousting Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz as head of the Democratic National Committee was being "discussed quietly" among senators. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)
One senator anonymously said ousting Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz as head of the Democratic National Committee was being "discussed quietly" among senators. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Debbie Wasserman Schultz is facing rising pressure to resign as head of the Democratic National Committee after she and Sen. Bernie Sanders exchanged barbs last week, according to media reports.  

Schultz has withstood criticism from Sanders throughout the presidential campaign for what Sanders says has been a pattern of favoritism shown toward Hillary Clinton. Some senators have now concluded that Wasserman Schultz may be “too toxic” to reunite the party after the bitter primary battle, CNN reported Wednesday.  

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Sanders’ Campaign Takes DNC to Court

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“There is a lot of sentiment that replacing her would be a good idea,” a senior Senate Democrat told CNN. “It is being discussed quietly among Democratic senators on the floor, in the cloakroom and in lunches.”  

CNN quoted the source anonymously.  

Tensions flared when Wasserman Schultz criticized Sanders on CNN last week for his response to aggressive displays by his supporters at the Nevada Democratic Party convention this month. Sanders responded by endorsing her opponent Tim Canova in her Florida primary campaign.  

The Hill first reported the concerns about Wasserman Schultz’s leadership, quoting a pro-Clinton Democratic senator.  

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How Sanders Would Fare Under Different Nominating Rules

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Other Democratic party leaders told both news outlets that they supported Wasserman Schultz. The CNN source said there was no formal effort to oust her.

Luis Miranda, the DNC’s communications director, pointed out that Wasserman Schultz has plenty of support among Democratic leadership:

“The real story is you have a bunch of notable U.S. Senators and Members of Congress on the record expressing support for the strong leadership Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz has provided at the party, and an anonymous source who disagrees. She’s gonna continue to focus on uniting Democrats and on being an asset to help elect them up and down the ballot in November, just as she’s done for many in both chambers.”

Contact Akin at stephanieakin@rollcall.com and follow her on Twitter at @stephanieakin
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