1. The DNC :”as confirmed by Donna Brazil” did not allow the Clinton campaign to use any funds for ads or any campaigning efforts during the primary. Instead the DNC allowed the Clinton team to use funds for general election opposition research and to set up an infrastructure and polling system for the general election which had been diminished due to Obama using Organizing for America and neglection the DNC. In no way did this deal rig the system unfairly and pragmatically Bernie had already lost.

2. The fundraising agreement did not help Clinton in anyway but the DNC was clearly biased in her favor in numerous ways but this is not becuase of corruption, monied interest or political elites colluding. It is because Bernie Sanders IS NOT AND NEVER WAS A DEMOCRAT. He is a democratic socialist who has spent his career running against democrats and taking donations that would otherwise go to the democratic candidate. Sanders shamelessly used the democratic party platform to increase his chances of winning the presidency and returned to being an independent immediately after the election. Treating a candidate that running as a democrat for his own benefit and no commitment to the party itself less favorably than a life long party contributor is in no way unfair. Had Sanders remained in the party after the election and tried to change it from within he would have some credibility but at this point clearly got what he deserved.

3. Democrats in certain parts of the county like CA and NY can attract big money donors as well if not better than most GOP candidates. However, Dems in the midwest, South and Mountain West generally do not have that ability. The function of the DNC is to allow big fundraising (mostly coastal) Dems to raise money that can be used to fund elections in the rest of country. Unfortunately Obama neglected this part of his job which he admits is one of his regrets.

“What we have to focus on now as Democrats is, we recognize the process was rigged, and now it is up to Democrats to build a new process; a process that really works and works for everyone. And that as we go forward, we have confidence in the integrity of the system. That Democrats, as they run a primary, are gonna let the people speak. And that we’re gonna have a candidate who’s the candidate chosen by the people. That’s our job.” — Elizabeth Warren