E-mail scandal complicates DNC preparations

PHILADELPHIA (WXTF) - An e-mail scandal has complicated things for the Democratic National convention on the eve of their huge week.

It's eyebrow-raising enough to knock Debbie Wassermann Shultz out of her main role - presiding over the DNC -- and she says - she'll resign at the end of the week.

This, after leaked emails suggested that the party may have tipped the scales in favor of Hillary Clinton.

One exchange between two staffers was penned by DNC communications director Luis Miranda.

At the time, he is questioning Sanders' religion writing in part:

"For Kentucky and West Virginia... Can we get someone to ask his belief? Does he believe in a god? He had skated on saying he has a Jewish heritage. I think I read he is an atheist. This could make several points difference with my peeps. My southern Baptist peeps would draw a big difference between a Jew and an atheist."

Sanders got his opportunity to respond to this alleged e-mail:

"I am not an atheist. Aside from that it is an outrage and sad that you would have people in important positions in the DNC trying to undermine my campaign. It goes without saying the functions of the DNC is to represent all of the candidates to be fair and even-minded but again we discussed this many months ago on this show so what is revealed is now not a shock."

One other alleged exchange took place months ago, when staffers went back and forth on whether they should respond to a Sanders TV appearance during which he discussed the hypothetical replacement of Wassermann Shultz as chairwoman.

Wasserman Shultz dismisses it saying, "This is a silly story. He isn't going to be president."

Wasserman Shultz will still appear on the convention stage this week -- even though she's resigning at the end of it.

She will still open and close the convention and address the delegates.