" It doesn't matter who supported Hillary and who supported Bernie--it's long past time to end the counterproductive infighting and name-calling. What we're talking about here is fighting for an open, inclusive, transparent Democratic Party that best represents and serves the people..."
Hawaii's Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard released a video today that criticizes the recent actions by Tom Perez and the Democratic National Committee (DNC), which she says " cast out those who want to strengthen and reform the party, while continuing to allow lobbyists and consultants a prominent seat at the table."
Background: As she has been for more than a year, Tulsi Gabbard, formerly a DNC Vice Chair, again called for ending the undemocratic system of superdelegates and putting a stop to the issues surrounding a lack of transparency and inclusion that has plagued the party. Instead, she says, " The party should be enacting open or same day registration in Democratic primaries to ease and encourage voter engagement."
In a Medium post released this morning, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard elaborates on the deep divides within the Democratic Party and the importance of reforming the DNC. In her video, Tulsi Gabbard says the DNC must put people over profits and progress over special interests.
The Video:
Full transcript of the video:
"Last year's presidential primary revealed deep divides within the Democratic Party that went far beyond substantive issue differences. I wish that I could say things have gotten better. But that's not the case.
Recently the DNC Chair, claiming diversity, removed a number of people from the Party's Executive Committee, including Jim Zogby, the only Arab American, while allowing lobbyists and consultants to keep their positions. What did those who were removed have in common? They either supported Bernie Sanders in the 2016 primary, supported Keith Ellison for DNC Chair, or both.
The DNC's move to cast out those who haven't fallen in line with the establishment and who are actually demanding real reform, is destined for failure. We must make sure that our voices are heard now as we fight for a new path forward that is more inclusive and actually strengthens our democracy.
It doesn't matter who supported Hillary and who supported Bernie--it's long past time to end the counterproductive infighting and name-calling. What we're talking about here is fighting for an open, inclusive, transparent Democratic Party that best represents and serves the people.
We need to get rid of the undemocratic system of superdelegates, who literally have the power to swing an election, making up one-third of the votes any candidate needs to secure the nomination. We must enact open or same day registration in Democratic primaries to make it easier and actually encourage voter engagement, rather than making it more difficult.
We must put people over profits and progress over special interests. We cannot do this with a few power brokers making deals in a back-room. We cannot do this with a closed process or with superdelegates that can swing an election. Your support, our voices, right now, are critical. Join me by signing our petition at VoteTulsi.com/DNCReform to reform the DNC."
Bonus Videos:
