At the Democratic National Committee Summer Meeting in Minneapolis on Friday, Debbie Wasserman Schultz greeted Gov. Martin O’Malley (Md.) coldly after he blasted the Democratic National Committee for limiting the number of debates the candidates could participate in.
"We are the Democratic party, not the un-Democratic party," O’Malley said. "If we are to debate debates, the topic should be how many, not how few."
As he walked away from the podium, O’Malley uncomfortably shook hands with Wasserman Schultz, who mouthed "OK" to the former governor of Maryland. The testy exchange did not go unnoticed.
awkward pic.twitter.com/pAQs8WiW40
— Elliott Schwartz (@elliosch) August 28, 2015
Debbie looks PISSED.
— David Catanese (@davecatanese) August 28, 2015
The scene: O'Malley is feet away from the DNC's leadership as he rips at it for limiting debates. Room full of Bernie supporters eats it up.
— Gabriel Debenedetti (@gdebenedetti) August 28, 2015
Very terse handshake from Debbie Wasserman-Schultz after that barn-burning speech from O'Malley for more debates...
— Sam Frizell (@Sam_Frizell) August 28, 2015
Wow. The look on Debbie Wasserman Schultz face after OMalleys attack on DNC "rigged debates": PRICELESS. We are not amused
— Jim Consolantis (@jconsolantis) August 28, 2015
O’Malley has been criticizing his own party for favoring frontrunner Hillary Clinton by limiting the number of debates during the primary to six, even going so far to question the legality of the debate plan.
O’Malley said he sees the debates as an opportunity to exchange ideas and solutions to problems, but that instead, the DNC "seems geared toward limiting debate and facilitating a coronation."
New Hampshire frontrunner Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Ver.) also expressed displeasure with Schultz, backing O’Malley’s complaint that six debates is not enough.