A cache of secret snarky emails has surfaced from a pair of powerful Democratic operatives who may run Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign — some of which seemingly use profane language against Republicans,
ABC News reported.
Democratic campaign veteran Robby Mook has kept a private electronic mailing list, known as a listserv, for five years with the politically-incorrect name "Mook Mafia."
Mook and his close friend Marlon Marshall, a senior White House aide, uses the listserv to keep in contact with 150 other campaign veterans, who would be expected to take part in a Democratic presidential campaign in 2016, the report said.
Noting that both men have been talked about as potential campaign managers for Hillary Clinton, ABC News' Rick Klein writes that the emails appear to use foul language and demonstrate an "aggressive tone" while attempting to rally the loyalists behind political causes.
They include Mook saying that Democrats should "smite Republicans mafia-style," while Marshall urges the campaign veterans to "punish those voters." Mook calls himself "Deacon" while Marshall refers to himself as "Reverend."
According to the exclusive report, a 2009 mock news release announcing the launching of the listserv and a planned reunion of the "Mook Mafia" included a made-up quote from former President Bill Clinton.
"The Mafia has finally built a bridge to the 21st century," says the fabricated Clinton comment in an email that actually seems to have been penned by Marshall. "This is even more exciting than walking through the back of the Bellagio."
Marshall currently serves as a special assistant to the president and he's also the principal deputy director of the White House Office of Public engagement.
ABC News revealed that the horde of private emails was given to the news organization by a Democrat on the listserv who has worked with Mook and Marshall on previous campaigns.
The Democrat, who wishes to remain anonymous, supports Hillary Clinton's presumed nomination, but is troubled by the thought of Mook or Marshall having senior roles in another presidential campaign.
The surprising release of the emails is seen as the first salvo, albeit seemingly below the belt, in the battle to run Clinton's campaign. Neither Mook nor Marshall returned ABC News' calls for comment.
Marshall appears to be the more aggressive of the pair in his electronic mailings from "Mook Mafia," the report said, such as one email in 2010 when he urged fellow "mafia" members to work hard on behalf of Massachusetts Senate candidate Martha Coakley, while thanking "everyone on this list who continues to fight the good fight."
He wrote, "F U Republicans. Mafia till I die," he wrote. "If you have just a few minutes, hop on that activate and punish those voters." (Activate is a reference to a software program allowing volunteers to contact targeted voters by phone from all over the country, says Klein).
In 2011, after Marshall had informed loyalists on the listserv that he was taking a job in Chicago, "Deacon" Mook issued a "mandatory" attendance for a farewell party for "Reverend Marlon D" at a Capitol Hill watering hole.
"It's true: Marlon Marshall is leaving our fold," Mook wrote. "Today is the day the grownassman [sic] grows up and leaves for America's Second City. I know this prodical [sic] son will return to the mafia manger soon enough to smite Republicans mafia-style," Mook wrote.
"If you can't be here in person, join me in spirit by sending your words of love and encouragement to the Most High Grown Ass Reverend Marlon D as he embarks on his pilgrimage. Please believe and obey the beard."
Mook, 34, worked on Howard Dean's 2004 campaign, ran several state efforts for Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential bid, and managed Terry McAuliffe's victorious campaign to become Virginia's governor last year.
Marshall also worked on Hillary Clinton's 2008 campaign and was a member of President Barack Obama's field operation after the primaries. He's also served in leading roles for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, while often working alongside Mook.