Former Democratic congressman and Hillary Clinton ally Harold Ford, Jr., added Monday to the list of voices on the left ripping the Democratic National Committee's embattled chairwoman, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D., Fla.).
The frequent Morning Joe guest said, regarding the rancorous Democratic primary process, that Schultz had "bungled this from the outset."
With relations already frigid after accusations of a rigged system in favor of Clinton, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) exacerbated the issue by saying Sunday that he endorsed Schultz's primary opponent, Tim Canova. He added Schultz would be removed from her post at the DNC if he became president.
Ford, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee from 1997 to 2007, is a Clinton supporter, but even he felt Schultz's maneuvers had been inappropriate. Schultz has consistently denied she has shown any favoritism.
"With regard to Chairwoman Wasserman Schultz, I think she bungled this from the outset," Ford said. "I've said on the show I thought there should have been more debates. I thought it, perhaps, looked obvious at times. She has every right to declare her support for Mrs. Clinton, as I have as well, but I do think as party chairman you have a set of responsibilities, and I think a strong case can be made that there's no reason to have antagonized Sanders' campaign, as it looks as if he has been or the campaign has been from the outset. I think a lot of this could have been resolved earlier on."
Tensions boiled over in the past week when Sanders supporters cried accusations of cheating at the Nevada State Democratic convention, leading to ugly scenes of screaming and fighting and eventually death threats leveled against the state party's chairwoman. Schultz condemned Sanders for not properly reprimanding his supporters, calling his response "anything but acceptable."
In spite of Sanders' endorsement of Canova, Schultz released a statement that she remained "neutral" in his fight with Clinton.