After the leaks of thousands of emails from the Democratic National Convention this weekend, it's clear that the party is less than perfect days before their week-long convention. Sure, no one ever said that the Democrats were perfect, but they were definitely doing okay in the media while Trump and the Republican party's general disunity were broadcast for the whole nation to see. Now, the newest email scandal in politics is bringing light to even more bias and conflict. Who knew?
As the organization from which the party's candidates receive political and financial support, the DNC is supposed to remain impartial toward the candidates until the convention and nomination of the party's official presidential pick. However, the leaked emails revealed that the DNC, or at least certain people within it, have been extremely biased, even to the point of potentially releasing stories to hurt candidates. Most significantly, the emails showed favor for Hillary Clinton over Senator Bernie Sanders by DNC officials. Whether it was through normal conversations between employees or with the press, it's clear that some intended to show more support for Clinton behind the scenes. An email even suggests that employees planned to present loaded questions to the press about Sanders' religious affiliations in order to hurt his relationship between Southern Baptist Democratic voters. While it's unclear if officials involved in the emails ever actually went through with such plans to undermine the Sanders campaign and its momentum, it shows a lack of respect for the senator and the party, as well as for rules or political etiquette in general. Putting the words "politics" and "etiquette" in the same sentence and expecting them to coincide may seem naive, but is it too much to ask for people in positions elected by the American people to be responsible for their jobs and decent people? Sure, there weren't any major crimes committed in this email scandal, but both Democratic voters and the Sanders campaign expected more out of the DNC, only to be looked over and thought less of.
Also revealed through the leaks is the idea that the Democratic party isn't as united as the public may have thought. Just days before the Democratic National Convention, in which a major player in the leaks—DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz—is expected to open and close the week with speeches, the party is now riddled with conflict and questions over who is responsible for the leak and why they would do such a thing. Will the leak drastically affect Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine's nomination or chances of being elected? No. But party disunity means more trouble for Congress, and more talking points for future election debates and for voters to consider. Other than Schultz's resignation on Sunday, we may not see the repercussions of this leak for a while, and they may not be as drastic or obvious as citizens would expect. However, the tensions seen now in the Democratic party, as well as the GOP only prove that America needs leaders that can rise above dissent and same team division in order to effectively put the needs of our country first. And that, is what we will see in the coming months, our politicians fighting to overcome or taking a part in unhelpful conflict.
