The Democrats needed someone to head off a possibly devastating scandal at a time when the party needs unity more than ever, so they turned to Donna Brazile to temporarily chair the Democratic National Committee.
Brazile is one of the most respected and experienced names in Democratic circles, and can hold the party together after the sudden departure of Debbie Wasserman Schultz. She resigned after leaked e-mails showed DNC staffers, who are supposed to be neutral, apparently favoring Hillary Clinton over rival Bernie Sanders.
The 56-year-old Brazile was born in the New Orleans suburb of Kenner, Louisiana, and got her first taste of politics and dealmaking when she was nine years old. She campaigned for a city councilman in exchange for a promise to build a playground in her neighborhood.
She worked on every Democratic presidential campaign from 1976 through 2000 when she became the first African American to manage a presidential candidate during Al Gore's unsuccessful run for the White House.
Brazile temporarily chaired the Democratic party in 2011 between the resignation of current vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine, and the appointment of Wasserman Schultz.
Brazile also is a lecturer, professor, television commentator, author, newspaper columnist, and she has appeared on the political drama television series The Good Wife.
