Reprinted from Reader Supported News
Let's fast forward to July 25th. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is introduced as the chair of the Democratic National Committee. Nearly half the room is booing loudly. Is that how the Democratic Party wants to open its 2016 convention?
The solution is for Hillary Clinton to find another role for Wasserman Schultz. Larry Sabato, a well respected political science professor from the University of Virginia, thinks Schultz could be the liaison to Congress for the Clinton campaign. That would allow Bernie and Hillary to agree on her successor before the convention. There are plenty of qualified Democrats that both campaigns could agree on to help unite the party.
One such Democrat is the courageous congresswoman from California, Barbara Lee. Lee was the only member of Congress to vote against giving President Bush a blank check to wage war on those responsible for 9/11. She has remained neutral during the entire nominating process and is respected by supporters of both candidates. Wasserman Schultz appointed Lee to the platform committee.
Turning the chairmanship over to Lee would be another step in making Sanders supporters feel welcome in the party. It would be a victory that the movement behind Sanders could use to inspire people to stay engaged and not feel totally discouraged. As I've said in past articles, Berniecrats are not sheep that can be herded into another politician's camp. Their support must be earned.
The Case Against Wasserman Schultz
It is not a just few disgruntled senators shooting the breeze or the Sanders campaign blaming Schultz for their current situation. Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been losing support in the DNC for quite some time. She has often been at odds with President Obama. In 2013, when the President was thought to be considering replacing her, media reports indicated that she was ready to fight to keep her post. Some went as far as saying she was prepared to claim that Obama was anti-woman and anti-Semitic.