Subject: RE: Dem Conventions Chaos
From: "Garcia, Walter" <[email-masked]>
To: "Paustenbach, Mark" <[email-masked]>, "Miranda, Luis" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 16 May 2016 09:05:59 -0700

Below you'll find the releases that the NV Democratic Party put out on this. Flagging that the NV Chair has been receiving<http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-nevada-democratic-convention-20160515-story.html> death threats after her cellphone number was posted on social media, and that Bernie supporters defaced<https://twitter.com/RalstonReports/status/731995590897213440> the NV Dems' office yesterday. Suffice it to say that the NV Dems are not happy at all, and are pushing back hard. Their main argument is that the process was not rigged. Also, would flag that the day before the Convention started, both Reid and Sanders put out a statement calling for a "respectful and constructive" Convention.

For the Alaska Democratic Convention, would be great to refer them to this line from the RNC's own research:

Dozens Of Angry Sanders Supporters Walked Out Of The Alaska Democrat Convention During DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz's Keynote Speech."The anger over Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz was highlighted when more than 25 Sanders supporters walked out of her keynote speech Saturday night at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage, though they left in a trickle while a huge crowd remained to hear the Florida congresswoman and DNC chair call for unity among Democrats to stop the presumptive GOP nominee, Donald Trump." (Alex DeMarban, "At Tense Alaska Democratic Convention, Allegations Of Clinton Favoritism Fly," Alaska Dispatch News<https://www.adn.com/article/20160515/tense-alaska-democratic-convention-allegations-clinton-favoritism-fly>, 5/15/16)
Also, let's refer them to Luis' tweet highlighting that the Chair received a standing ovation at the end of her speech: https://twitter.com/LuisMiranda/status/731706788676960260

RELEASES
For Immediate Release
May 13, 2016
Contact: Kristen Orthman, 617-721-8938<tel:617-721-8938>
Reid Statement on NV Dems State Convention
Washington, D.C. - Nevada Senator Harry Reid released the following statement after Senator Bernie Sanders called for a respectful and constructive Nevada State Democratic Party Convention on Saturday. Senator Sanders' statement is below Senator Reid's:
"I talked to my friend Senator Sanders today. I so admire him for what he has done during his campaign to move our country forward. We share the goal of ensuring Donald Trump never steps foot in the Oval Office and Democrats make gains up and down the ballot in November. I hope Senator Sanders' supporters heed his call for an orderly and respectful Nevada State Democratic Party Convention. The success of Nevada Democrats up and down the ballot in November depends on it."
Senator Sanders' statement:

Sanders Statement on Nevada Democratic Party Convention

May 13, 2016
Contact: Michael Briggs (802) 233-8653
BISMARCK, N.D. - U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders on Friday issued the following statement ahead of Saturday's Nevada Democratic Party convention:
"I want to thank my supporters in Nevada. Together, we are creating transformational change in America through honest and dignified discussion of the issues facing our citizens. We share a commitment to electing progressive Democrats up-and-down the ballot in Nevada and across the country and are committed to soundly defeating Donald Trump and the right-wing Republican agenda. Working together respectfully and constructively on Saturday at the Nevada Democratic convention will move us closer to those essential goals."
###

For Immediate Release
May 15, 2016
Contact: [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>
NV Dems Statement on State Convention Conclusion
Las Vegas, NV - The Nevada State Democratic Party released the following statement on the conclusion of yesterday's 2016 State Convention:
"At approximately 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night, the Director of Security for the Paris Las Vegas Hotel informed the State Party and representatives from both presidential campaigns that the property could no longer provide the necessary security under conditions made unruly and unpredictable. Paris Las Vegas Hotel security requested a prompt conclusion to the event. Therefore, recognizing the business still to be conducted by the convention, the State Party Chairwoman accepted a motion to agree to the Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) and At-Large Delegate slates as submitted by the presidential campaigns. She also accepted a motion to adopt and elect the State Central Committee pursuant to the rules and as submitted by the county party chairs. This allowed the State Party to properly adjourn the State Convention."
###

To: Interested Parties
From: Nevada State Democratic Party
Subject: MEMO: NV Dems State Convention - Final Credentials Report
Date: Saturday, May 14, 2016
Following the reading of the final credentials report today at the State Convention, a rogue member of the Credentials Committee decided to create chaos and disruption by providing misleading information about ineligible Sanders Delegates and Alternates.
There were 64 Sanders Delegates and Alternates whose validity was challenged because of the following issues:

  *   They were not registered Democratic voters in Nevada by May 1, 2016.
  *   Their information - such as address, date of birth and name - could not be found or identified, and they did not respond to requests from the party and campaigns to correct it.
Of these 64 Delegate and Alternates, six were allowed to be seated after their appropriate information was provided and 58 were denied because of the reasons outlined above.
Any insinuation of unfairness is totally inaccurate. The Nevada State Democratic Party abided by the unanimous rules set forth by the Credentials Committee, which was comprised of party leaders and officials with an equal division of both Clinton and Sanders campaign supporters.

From: Paustenbach, Mark
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2016 11:46 AM
To: Miranda, Luis
Cc: Garcia, Walter
Subject: Dem Conventions Chaos

Daniel Strauss and Gabe Debenedetti at Politico are working on a story about upcoming state Dem conventions and whether any of them will end up like Nevada.

The RNC's research team is also pushing the chaos theme. See below.

THIS WEEKEND, THE DEMOCRAT CONVENTIONS IN ALASKA AND NEVADA UNRAVELED DUE TO TENSIONS BETWEEN BERNIE SANDERS' SUPPORTERS AND THE CLINTON-BACKING DEMOCRAT ESTABLISHMENT
At The Alaska Democrat Convention, Bernie Sanders' Backers Walked Out During Debbie Wasserman Schultz's Keynote Speech And Forced A Resolution To End The Use Of Superdelegates

Dozens Of Angry Sanders Supporters Walked Out Of The Alaska Democrat Convention During DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz's Keynote Speech."The anger over Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz was highlighted when more than 25 Sanders supporters walked out of her keynote speech Saturday night at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage, though they left in a trickle while a huge crowd remained to hear the Florida congresswoman and DNC chair call for unity among Democrats to stop the presumptive GOP nominee, Donald Trump." (Alex DeMarban, "At Tense Alaska Democratic Convention, Allegations Of Clinton Favoritism Fly," Alaska Dispatch News<https://www.adn.com/article/20160515/tense-alaska-democratic-convention-allegations-clinton-favoritism-fly>, 5/15/16)
*         Sanders Supporters Walked Over Concerns That DNC Chair Wasserman Schultz "Has Improperly Taken Steps To Benefit Hillary Clinton." "In what many called an unusually large state convention, the Alaska Democratic Party this weekend chose its delegates for the national convention in July, amid a clash over concerns by some Bernie Sanders fans that the head of the Democratic National Committee has improperly taken steps to benefit Hillary Clinton." (Alex DeMarban, "At Tense Alaska Democratic Convention, Allegations Of Clinton Favoritism Fly," Alaska Dispatch News<https://www.adn.com/article/20160515/tense-alaska-democratic-convention-allegations-clinton-favoritism-fly>, 5/15/16)

The Next Day, The Alaska Democrat Convention "Approved A Resolution Demanding An End To The Use Of Superdelegates." "The Alaska Democratic Convention wrapped up Sunday afternoon on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus. Most of the day was dedicated to organizational matters, like electing party officers. They also approved a resolution demanding an end to the use of super delegates at the Democratic National Convention." (Eric Ruble, "On Third Day Of Convention, Alaska Democrats Call For End To Super Delegates," KTVA Alaska<http://www.ktva.com/on-third-day-of-convention-alaska-democrats-call-for-end-to-super-delegates-989/>, 5/15/16)

The "Unruly And Unpredictable" Nevada Democrat Convention Ended Three Hours Ahead Of Schedule Due To Security Concerns

The Nevada Democrat Convention Ended Three Hours Early Due To The "Unruly And Unpredictable" Nature Of The Event, Which Posed A Security Concern As Tensions Flared Up. "Organizers of the Nevada State Democratic Convention said they had to rush to wrap up the 'unruly and unpredictable' event on Saturday after security became an issue and objects, including chairs, were being thrown. State party officials said authorities at the Paris casino in Las Vegas informed them around 10 p.m. that they could no longer provide the necessary security for the event, where tensions between Bernie Sanders supporters and party leaders flared up. The convention was scheduled to end at 7 p.m." (Michelle Rindels, "Security Prompts Rushed End To Nevada Democrats' Convention," The Associated Press <http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=7NkPf3kl&utm_source=android_app&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=share> , 5/15/16)
*         Sanders Supporters Threw Their Chairs, Causing Security To Clear Out The Convention. "The Nevada Democratic Convention turned into an unruly and unpredictable event, after tension with organizers led to some Bernie Sanders supporters throwing chairs and to security clearing the room, organizers said." (Security Concerns End Nevada Democrats' Convention," ABC News<http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/security-concerns-end-nevada-democrats-convention-39134128>, 5/15/16)

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), A Prominent Clinton Supporter, Was Booed By Sanders Supporters. "The Democratic convention in Las Vegas erupted into chaos Saturday, with Bernie Sanders supporters demanding recounts and booing Sen. Barbara Boxer's appeal for calm. Earlier in the day, Boxer, a Hillary Clinton supporter, said 'the future of the country is at stake. When you boo me, you're booing Bernie Sanders. Go ahead. You're booing Bernie Sanders.'" (Tim Hains, "Barbara Boxer To Nevada Democrats: 'If You Boo Me, You're Booing Bernie Sanders,' 'Boo Yourselves Out Of This Election,'" Real Clear Politics <http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2016/05/15/barbara_boxer_to_nevada_democrats_if_you_boo_me_youre_booing_bernie_sanders.html> , 5/15/16)
*         Boxer: "You Want To Boo Bernie, Boo Me. Go On, You're Booing Bernie. Let's Hear It For Hillary Clinton!" "'I bring a message from Bernie Sanders and I bring a message from Hillary Clinton,' Boxer said. 'We need civility in the Democratic Party. Civility. Because the whole future of the country is at stake, that when you boo me you're booing Bernie Sanders. Go ahead. Bernie is my friend. You want to boo Bernie, boo me. Go on, you're booing Bernie. You're booing Bernie. Let's hear it for Hillary Clinton!'" (Tim Hains, "Barbara Boxer To Nevada Democrats: 'If You Boo Me, You're Booing Bernie Sanders,' 'Boo Yourselves Out Of This Election,'" Real Clear Politics <http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2016/05/15/barbara_boxer_to_nevada_democrats_if_you_boo_me_youre_booing_bernie_sanders.html> , 5/15/16)

Click To Watch<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeqGvsu44Ec>

THIS PAST WEEKEND'S CHAOS FOLLOWED THE MAINE DEMOCRAT CONVENTION, WHERE SANDERS' SUPPORTERS FORCED A VOTE TO ELIMINATE THE "UNDEMOCRATIC" SUPERDELEGATE SYSTEM

Maine Democrats Approved A "Rule To Ensure That State Delegates Vote Proportionally To Party Caucus Results In The Next Presidential Election." "Maine Democrats have approved a change that could alter how the party selects presidential candidates in future elections. Activists overwhelming adopted the rule to ensure that state delegates vote proportionally to party caucus results in the next presidential election." (Steve Mistler, "Maine Democrats Approve Superdelegate Change," MPBN<http://news.mpbn.net/post/maine-democrats-approve-superdelegate-change#stream/0>, 5/7/16)
*         The Amendment, "Proposed By Portland Rep. Diane Russell, Who Is A Sanders Supporter," Also Calls On Maine's Five Superdelegates To Vote According To The Caucus Results This Year. "The amendment, which was proposed by Portland Rep. Diane Russell, who is a Sanders supporter, also includes clauses to 'strongly encourage' Maine's five superdelegates to vote accordingly this year." (Christopher Cousins, "Maine Democrats Torn Between Sanders, Clinton At State Convention," Bangor Daily News<http://bangordailynews.com/2016/05/07/politics/maine-democrats-torn-between-sanders-clinton-at-state-convention/> , 5/7/16)

This Change Was Put Forward To Put An End To The Use Of "Undemocratic" Superdelegates. "The change was proposed by Portland state Representative Diane Russell, who says the current use of super delegates is undemocratic. Currently, superdelegates can vote for whichever presidential candidate they choose, regardless of the party's caucus results." (Steve Mistler, "Maine Democrats Approve Superdelegate Change," MPBN<http://news.mpbn.net/post/maine-democrats-approve-superdelegate-change#stream/0>, 5/7/16)