Rybak says the sooner Dems break with party chair, the better

R.T. Rybak
Former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak speaks to caucus participants and observers at the University of Minnesota in 2014.
Matt Sepic | MPR News file

Former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says the sooner the Democratic Party can break with national chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the better.

As the party convention opens Monday in Philadelphia, the Democratic National Committee is dealing with an embarrassing release of internal emails showing that many party insiders were working behind the scenes to help Hillary Clinton and hurt Bernie Sanders during their primary battle.

Rybak, a DNC vice chairman, says Wasserman Schultz's announced resignation at the end of the convention isn't quick enough.

"I suppose I should say all sorts of nice things right now. But the fact of the matter is, I felt this should have happened many months ago, maybe a year ago," Rybak said. "I was public and worked on that in private. I'm happy she came to the realization to leave.

"I'm not happy she is making it more complicated than it needs to be."

Rybak is also seeking the dismissal of senior party staff members who didn't stay neutral during the Clinton-Sanders nomination contest.

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