Florida Democrats Are Sharply Divided Over Wasserman Schultz
Member of DNC chair's home delegation says she's "destroying our democracy."
— -- After outgoing Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz was greeted with boos by many members of her home state’s delegation to the Democratic National Convention this morning, one Florida Democrat went as far as accusing her and other committee officials of “destroying our democracy.”
“She is not welcome. She’s worked against us,” Seth Alexander, who wore a Bernie Sanders shirt, shouted at a Florida delegation breakfast where Wasserman Schultz spoke.
Speaking to ABC News’ Jonathan Karl after the breakfast, Alexander defended the outburst by him and others, pointing to the recently leaked Democratic National Committee emails as evidence that she and other Democratic National Committee officials worked against Sen. Bernie Sanders in their official roles.
“Absolutely, she is not welcome,” Alexander said. “She was not welcome within our meeting because she has worked against democracy.”
“Not welcome, absolutely unwelcome,” said a woman who also identified as a Sanders supporter. She said Wasserman Schultz’s presence at the breakfast was an insult to those who had backed Sanders. “It’s pretty much just like a pie in the face of the Bernie supporters," she said. “I don’t believe that they have her here and they want us to unify.”
“They’re destroying our democracy,” another Florida man chimed in about committee officials. “We have to protest. Our democracy is crumbling.”
Among those who protested, there was a split over supporting Clinton in the general election. Some said they would not vote for her, while others said they were not sure.
Some at the breakfast defended Wasserman Schultz and described the protest against her as unnecessarily heated.
A supporter of Wasserman Schultz and Hillary Clinton, Elaine Geller, claimed that she was threatened by a woman protesting Wasserman Schultz.
“This woman was cursing and screaming and threatening to punch me in the face,” Geller said. “It was just unbelievable.”
Another man also expressed his strong support for Wasserman Schultz, saying she helped President Barack Obama win re-election and has been an effective leader.
“She’s helping to put the most qualified candidate in the history of our union” in good stead to win the presidency, the man said, referring to Wasserman Schultz’s efforts for Clinton. “It’s important Hillary gets in there, and Debbie’s been a great ally.”