Bob Sparks
The latest blowup between Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the Democratic “establishment” poses the greatest danger yet to the Broward County congresswoman’s continued employment at the DNC. This hit is nothing less than a political Seal Team mission.
It was a stealth operation conducted by well-placed, unnamed sources designed to inflict maximum damage. Mission accomplished.
The Sept. 17 article in Politico, sourced by numerous Democratic insiders, was a clear attempt to set the stage for her ouster following the November elections. Despite the fact she has two more years left on her term, it is clear the long knives seek to cut the ties with DWS much sooner than 2017.
The story recounted her recent gaffe in Wisconsin where she compared Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to perpetrators of domestic violence. Not a good time to be associated with such incendiary comments. Even Walker’s opponent ran away from the statements.
A true revelation was Wasserman Schultz’s strong desire for the DNC to pay for additions to her wardrobe. On multiple occasions she sought new clothes financed by party donors.
According to the story, it took senior White House adviser Valerie Jarrett to get her to stop asking, though Jarrett claims to not recall the conversation. That means the account is accurate. If it did not happen, Jarrett would have said so.
This incident clearly reveals the White House had to be deeply involved in this dam break of information. “Leak” is an insufficient word.
Wasserman Schultz denied the clothing accusation, saying it would be wrong to ask donors to pick up the tab. She said, “I never asked someone to do this for me” and “I hope that no one would seek that on my behalf.” If you believe the multiple sources, this means she asked for herself.
It would have been interesting to see the media reaction had the DNC paid for her wardrobe requests. Remember the firestorm surrounding the Republican National Committee’s purchase of clothing for Sarah Palin?
The story further describes the congresswoman going behind the back of Hillary Clinton. While serving on Clinton’s presidential campaign as a co-chair, she reached out to the Obama campaign when the end was near.
When asked about this, Wasserman Schultz denied ever making such a call, but did not address what staff did on her behalf. That means staff made the call.
She also looked into protocol on how to keep the chairwoman’s job in case Obama lost to Mitt Romney in 2012. The Obama team found out about it and was most unhappy.
So, she has angered the Clintons, the Obamas, legislators and donors. Other than that, things are going swell.
There are also problems in Florida. In May, Wasserman Schultz issued a statement criticizing Amendment 2, which would legalize medical marijuana. Pam Bondi could not have written it any better. That got the attention of the amendment’s prime backer, John Morgan.
After calling Wasserman Schultz an “irritant,” Morgan vowed to “never give a penny or raise a penny for the national party while she’s in leadership.” Morgan also offers an unflattering quote early in the Politico story.
Will the stealth coup succeed?
It would have been a wiser move on her part to remain fully loyal to Hillary Clinton. Should Clinton decide to run for President, the party will get behind her candidacy. Clinton (Hillary and Bill) would insist on someone they completely trust as the head of the DNC.
If the fall elections result in the loss of the U.S. Senate and some seats in the House, there is a tendency to quickly find scapegoats. Debbie Wasserman Schultz would be a natural target within 48 hours.
Should Democrats somehow keep the Senate and minimize losses in the House, her odds of remaining would improve slightly.
But her survival is a longshot. By next October, it is just as likely the Chicago Cubs will win the World Series as Debbie Wasserman Schultz will be in the big office at the Democratic National Committee.
When comparing Scott Walker to an abuser, she used language that may well apply to her own political future:
“I know that is stark. I know that is direct. But that is reality.”
Bob Sparks is a business and political consultant based in Tallahassee. Column courtesy of Context Florida.
