The Democratic National Convention got off to a rocky start on Monday afternoon, starting from the very minute the convention was gaveled in by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
Rawlings-Blake replaced the embattled chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, to gavel in the convention.
Wasserman Schultz announced her resignation on Sunday after emails were leaked via Wikileaks showing her bias against Bernie Sanders during the Democratic primary. She will be permanently replaced by Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge, while Vice Chair Donna Brazile will act as interim chair.
Brazile issued a formal statement and apologized to Bernie Sanders and his supporters shortly after the convention began.
“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,” the statement said.
“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,” the statement continued.
Hillary Clinton was one of the architects if the trade deal when she was a Secretary of State, but, after being pressured by Bernie Sanders, came out against TPP.
Similarly, Clinton’s vice president pick, Tim Kaine, who has been criticized by Sanders supporters for being too conservative, came out against the TPP only days after praising it.
While Kaine, Clinton, and Sanders all opposed the TPP, the party platform chose to oppose the trade deal because of Obama’s support. The party platform passed by a vocal vote.
