DNC chair Donna Brazile apologizes for leaked DNC emails

Interim DNC chair Donna Brazile has released the following statement/apology on behalf of the DNC in regards to the negative Bernie Sanders emails that came to light this past weekend.

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. 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.

We are embarking on a convention today that ― thanks to the great efforts of Secretary Clinton, her team, Senator Sanders, his team, and the entire Democratic Party ― will show a forward-thinking and optimistic vision for America, as compared to the dark and pessimistic vision that the GOP presented last week in Cleveland. Our focus is on electing Hillary Clinton, Tim Kaine and Democrats across the country, thanks to Democratic Party that is strong, unified, and poised for victory in November.

Video: Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake gavels in the Democratic National Convention.

Baltimore mayor and DNC secretary Stephanie Rawlings-Blake officially gaveled in the start of the 2016 Democratic national Convention. Watch the video below.

Donna Brazile to be interim DNC chair

Ok all, I know this is getting confusing. But to clarify earlier today Debbie Wasserman Schultz steeped aside as the Democratic National Committee (DNC) convention chair and Congresswoman Marcia Fudge was named the DNC Convention chair. Later on Wasserman announced that she would resign as DNC chair after the convention. At that point Donna Brazile will serve as interim DNC chair

Now news has dropped that Wasserman Schultz will be stepping down as the DNC chair after the DNC Convention. DNC vice chair Donna Brasile, CNN political analyst, and political strategist will step into the role of interim chair.

Brazile has experience in the role of DNC chair. In 2011, she served as the DNC interim chair after Tim Kaine stepped down from the job to run for Senate in Virginia.

Congresswoman Marcia Fudge named DNC Convention Chair

Related story: Donna Brazile named interim DNC chair

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz will not speak at or preside over the party's convention this week, a decision reached by party officials Saturday after emails surfaced that raised questions about the committee's impartiality during the Democratic primary.

The DNC Rules Committee on Saturday rescinded Wasserman Schultz's position as convention chairwoman, instead naming Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, as permanent chair of the convention, according to a DNC source. She will gavel each session to order and will gavel each session closed, a role that had been expected to be held by Wasserman Schultz.

[SOURCE]

Pres. Obama statement in support of Tim Kaine

President Obama sent out a fundraising email praising Hillary Clinton's pick of Tim Kaine as her running mate. Check out his statement below:

I wanted to take a moment to tell you why I'm so proud that Hillary has chosen Senator Tim Kaine to join her on the Democratic ticket this fall.
Nothing can really prepare you for this job. You come to learn that it's about having a firm grasp of the issues, sound judgment, and the tenacity never to stop fighting to make people's lives better.

The thing about Hillary is, she already understands all that. She does her homework, she masters the issues, and she never gives up. She gets the job done. And more than almost anyone I've worked with in Washington, Hillary's the kind of person who sees a problem and says, "How can I fix this? What can I do to help?"

But this job is also about surrounding yourself with the best possible people. And there's no more important decision you'll make as a presidential candidate than choosing a vice president. There are basically two paths you can take. You can pick someone for purely political reasons -- or you can pick someone who will be your partner in government. Someone who shares your values. Someone who will make you a better president.

That's why I picked Joe Biden -- and it's a testament to Hillary's character and integrity that she chose a man like Tim Kaine.

Like Hillary, Tim is an optimist. But like Hillary, he is also a progressive fighter. He's the son of a teacher and an iron worker who's always got working families on his mind. He spent nearly two decades and specialized in representing people who had been denied fair access to housing just because of what they looked like, or because they had a disability. And when a gunman killed 32 people on the campus of Virginia Tech, Tim knew he had a responsibility as governor to offer more than thoughts and prayers to the community he mourned with -- and as a gun owner, he stood up to the gun lobby on their behalf.

There aren't a lot of elected officials in Washington whom people like even more when the cameras are off than when the cameras are on. But Tim is that kind of guy. He's a man who's risen to the highest levels of government but still lives in the same neighborhood he did as a city councilmember in Richmond. You just can't find anyone with a bad thing to say about him, from the staff who've worked for him to the Republicans who've served alongside him.
Simply put: Tim is a good man. He's a true progressive. And he will make a great vice president.

I could not be prouder to support our Democratic ticket -- please join me in welcoming Tim Kaine to this team.