A large shadow looms over the Democratic National Convention: On July 22, Wikileaks released 19,000 of the Democratic National Committee's internal emails. Although committee officials are bound by the rules of their own party to remain neutral in the primary contests, the emails show some of them discussing how to undermine the campaign of Bernie Sanders in favor of Hillary Clinton. Among the more objectionable content were suggestions to question his religious beliefs and raise questions about whether he is an atheist.
A main priority for the Democrats is healing the divide between supporters of the two candidates and uniting the party. Even though Sanders has officially and unequivocally endorsed Clinton, there are many holdouts, and this confirmation that parts of the DNC functioned as an arm of the Clinton campaign has served to inflame their smoldering sense of unfairness.
The revelations have had a significant impact on at least one person: Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who resigned her position as DNC chairwoman on July 24. The following morning, she was roundly booed as she addressed Florida delegates at a breakfast meeting.
In a questionable PR move, Hillary Clinton wasted no time thanking Wasserman Schultz for her service and making her an honorary chair on the Clinton campaign. Is it pointless to oust a fall guy and then give her such a soft landing?
"What we're seeing here is a triumph of loyalty over political pragmatism," observed Gene Grabowski, partner at kglobal (and a former news reporter who covered political conventions). "It's probably not the wisest move at this time."
How should each party handle the leak going forward? "The Republicans are playing it smart," by not getting in the way and simply letting this powerful story play out in the media for now, said Grabowski. Once the convention is over and the Democrats enjoy the usual bump in the polls, "then you unleash the criticism," he added. For the Democrats' part, they "have to stay on the high road...Clinton must be careful not to play Trump's game" of personal attacks, Grabowski advised. Trump is simply better at it—and now he has more ammunition.
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