Calls Intensify for Democratic Party Chair to be Ousted for Favoritism

A petition on RootsAction, an online initiative “dedicated to galvanizing people who are committed to economic fairness, equal rights, civil liberties, environmental protection — and defunding endless wars,” gathered nearly 25,000 signatures in four days.

“In addition to her recent attempt to deny the Bernie Sanders campaign access to its own voter files, Wasserman Schultz has tried in other ways to minimize competition for her candidate, Hillary Clinton. She has done this by scheduling very few primary debates, and scheduling them at times of low TV viewing,” the petition states.

The petition further asserts that she has served as a “pro-militarist and corporatist tool of the high bidders,” and demands that she step down.

Comments within the rapidly growing petition include support for Sanders and allegations that Wasserman Schultz’ politics are more in line with the Republican party.

“The head of one of the two big political parties in the United States is trying to manipulate the presidential election process by limiting direct debate and tilting the national party apparatus in favor of one candidate. This is unacceptable,” RootsAction.org cofounder Norman Solomon wrote in a statement regarding the petition.

Sanders’ supporters were reenergized in calling for Wasserman Schultz’ removal after Sanders was temporarily blocked from accessing his campaign's own data last month, but she already been under fire over the controversial Democratic candidates’ debate schedule, in which critics see deliberate attempts to have the lowest viewers possible. The schedule of only six debates include one held during a large Iowa football game, and one on the Saturday before Christmas. The next will be during NFL football playoffs.

Many have long asserted that this is to give Clinton an advantage as she was campaign co-chair for Hillary Clinton's 2008 unsuccessful run for President. Allegations include that Wasserman Schultz is attempting to hide away the former first lady’s competition from voters. Clinton has 99% name recognition, unlike her closest rival, and as Sanders’ recognition goes up — so does his favorability.

“The results, thus far, have been bad from the perspective of Wasserman Schultz’s own party, including domination of the media’s extensive election coverage by the other big party. Another result has been reduced exposure for the Democratic candidate polling strongest against Republican rivals, Bernie Sanders,” RootsAction cofounder Jeff Cohen told the Washington Times.

Similar petitions calling for Wasserman Schultz’s removal have also gained traction. A petition published in August on WhiteHouse.gov has over 10,000 signatures, and another on MoveOn.org has nearly 60,000.