A week ago, when former interim chair of the Democratic National Committee Donna Brazile came forward with accusations in her newly-released book that the democratic primary was "rigged" in favor of Hillary Clinton, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was quick to agree.
In an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper last Thursday, when asked about the accusations, Warren responded:
"This is a real problem. But what we've got to do as Democrats now is we've got to hold this party accountable. When Tom Perez was first elected chair of the DNC, the very first conversation I had with him is to say, 'You have got to put together a Democratic Party in which everybody can have confidence. That the party is working for Democrats rather than Democrats are working for the party.' And he's being tested now. And either he's going to succeed by bringing Bernie Sanders and Bernie Sanders' representatives into this process, and they're going to say, 'It's fair, it works, we all believe it,' or he's going to fail. And I very much hope he succeeds. I hope for Democrats everywhere. I hope for Bernie and for all of Bernie's supporters that he's going to succeed."
But then, wanting get a solid stance from Warren, Tapper asked: "Do you agree with the notion that it was rigged?"
"Yes!" Warren exclaimed without missing a beat.
Do you agree with the notion that the DNC was rigged in Hillary Clinton's favor? Elizabeth Warren: Yes… https://t.co/7lpxJb2wNv— The Lead CNN (@The Lead CNN) 1509655727.0
But now, several days after Brazile walked back her accusations, Warren has followed suit, saying during an interview with MassLive on Wednesday: "I agree with what Donna Brazile has said over the last few days; that while there was some bias at the DNC, the overall 2016 primary process was fair and Hillary made history."
Elizabeth Warren walks back "rigged" comments, says "the overall 2016 primary process was fair," but DNC had "some… https://t.co/Xl7F881i64— Alex Seitz-Wald (@Alex Seitz-Wald) 1510243052.0
She added that the focus is now on looking past the 2016 election, remarking: "(Tuesday) night's election results across the country, including in Massachusetts, showed us that Republicans had money and power. But, Democrats had our voices and our votes, and we used them. People from every corner of the Democratic Party won and that's a win, not just for Democrats but for democracy."
But for many, Warren's initial comments and subsequent backtrack could've been potentially damaging:
The process was fair but showed some "bias." - Elizabeth Warren Yeah. Too little too late, Warren. You spread fact… https://t.co/XujF6QzwXA— Kaz Weida (@Kaz Weida) 1510263449.0
Now she walks it back. Making such a sweeping statement based on quickly-debunked Brazile allegations wasn't a good… https://t.co/Yoqud81OeP— Jeremy Fuller 🌊 (@Jeremy Fuller 🌊) 1510246393.0
And many are calling for an official apology:
And yet I'm not seeing where Warren apologized for & retracted her claim that the primary was "rigged" https://t.co/hGEqNRWHA2— David Nir (@David Nir) 1510246143.0
Still waiting for your apology @SenWarren for jumping in front of the cameras with something so inflammatory before… https://t.co/4CsF7Kceak— Treason Season (@Treason Season) 1510246549.0
Sorry, @elizabethforma, you already walked back your career. And you misspelled "Wow, I am really fucking sorry!"… https://t.co/poXOPagyKb— Tommy Christopher (@Tommy Christopher) 1510277151.0
@aseitzwald Not got enough-Elizabeth Warren. You cannot give a half-assed apology with a “but “ in there. You know… https://t.co/ZGnHh7oL43— Lillian 💜 (@Lillian 💜) 1510262706.0
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