WikiLeaks, the group known for releasing thousands of otherwise confidential diplomatic cables, released thousands of emails from seven email accounts belonging to employees of the Democratic National Committee. The seven people who had their emails released are Communications Director Luis Miranda, National Finance Director Jordon Kaplan, Finanace Director of Data & Strategic Initiatives Daniel Parrish, Finance Chief of Staff Scott Comer, Senior Advisor Andrew Wright, Finance Director Allen Zachary, and Northern California Finance Director Robert Stowe.
WikiLeaks has not identified the source of these emails, but they are believed to be related to when the Russian government hacked the DNC earlier this year. The hacker, however, is calling itself “Guccifer 2.” WikiLeaks did not redact the email addresses involved nor personal data like credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, or passport information.
The emails, whose authenticity TKNN could not independently verify, show the inner workings of the group tasked with electing Democrats, especially in the presidential year. The emails also seem to indicate that the DNC was not always completely impartial with employees hoping for Sanders to be derailed.
In one email, Brad Marshall, the CFO of the DNC, wrote, “It might may no difference, but for KY and WVA can we get someone to ask his belief. Does he believe in a God. He had skated on saying he has a Jewish heritage. I think I read he is an atheist. This could make several points difference with my peeps. My Southern Baptist peeps would draw a big difference between a Jew and an atheist.” Amy Dacey, the CEO of the DNC, responded with, “AMEN (sic).”
Journalists’ emails are also included, oftentimes conversing with Miranda. There are numerous emails asking for information on deep background or off the record and Miranda providing documents without his fingerprints left behind. There are also roughly a dozen emails from Bill Sammon, Fox News’s Vice President of News, discussing a possible Democratic debate on Fox News. The information was sent to Miranda and then shared with Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Parentheses ours.
“Would you be amenable to those same respected journalists (debate moderators Megyn Kelly, Chris Wallace, and Bret Baier) now bringing that same fairness and rigor to a final debate of the 2016 cycle? Fox would very much like your blessing to host a Democratic presidential primary debate before the last batch of states hold their elections on June 7.”
There is also discussing over Mika Brzezinski, the MSNBC morning co-host who had called for Wasserman Schultz’s resignation. Miranda then suggested a phone call to discuss the matter between Wasserman Schultz and Brzezinski, but Wasserman Schultz responded, “At this point, why would I do that?”
Wasserman Schultz at one point also took the step of emailing Chuck Todd, who also serves as Political Director for NBC News, with the subject line, “Chuck, this must stop.”
“Chuck, see below. I would like to discuss this with you today. Can you reach out to Luis to schedule a call? Thanks.”
A meeting was also scheduled for the two to meet.
MSNBC also comes up again as Wasserman Schultz met off the record with Phil Griffin, the president of MSNBC for “relationship building.” The email says “Our relationship with NBC/MSNBC is severely frayed given what they perceive as a snub with the last debate, and CNN getting favored treatment. Griffin may raise that concern, and ideally we could lower the temperature and seek common ground.”