LEAK AFTERMATH

Democratic officials respond to email hack as convention opens

Hillary Clinton staffers referred to reports that Russians were sending the leaked emails to hackers in hopes of boosting the Donald Trump campaign.

“Further experts are saying that (Russian state actors) were feeding the emails to hackers for the purpose of helping Donald Trump,” said Robbie Mook, a campaign manager for Hillary for America, at the Democratic National Convention daily press briefing Monday morning.

While outlining the schedule for Monday evening with speeches expected by U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders, D-Vermont, and Corey Booker, DNew Jersey, and first lady Michelle Obama, the bulk of the questioning revolved around the 20,000 emails released by Wikileaks that pointed favoritism to Clinton over Sanders.

Upon questioning, Mook said an evaluation of the situation is being completed to determine if other actions need to be taken besides the resignation of U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz as chairwoman of the Democratic Na-

tional Committee.

“My understanding is the DNC is reviewing all of the information,” Mook said, adding hackers sometimes release information that has been doctored.

Of the convention Monday evening, he said it will provide a stark difference to the Republicans in Ohio.

“This is going to be a big contrast to what we saw in Cleveland last week,” Mook said, adding the Democrats will provide a message of optimism and hope. He claimed the Republicans barely talked about their candidate at their convention and pointed to “utter discord outside of the hall.”

In particular with Republicans who chose not to attend their convention due to disagreement with the nominee.

“Our party,” Mook said. “is coming to unify to elect Hillary Clinton.”

That sentiment was echoed by Brian Fallon,

press secretary for Hillary for America. He said viewers can expect to see a very united Democratic Party and the momentum will go past this week with Clinton’s appearance at Independence Hall Friday, kicking off a bus tour that will

extend through the weekend and go through Ohio.

Fallon said the intent is to reach rural workingclass voters dissatisfied with the economy.

“We are leaving no voter untouched in this campaign,” Fallon said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS DNC Chairwoman, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., speaks during a Florida delegation breakfast Monday in Philadelphia during the first day of the Democratic National Convention.

MATT SLOCUM — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., show signs to convention goers during a protest Monday in Philadelphia during the first day of the Democratic National Convention.