Dem Convention Chairman On Why Dems Are Skipping: "A Lot About Nothing"

Antonio Villaraigosa, mayor of Los Angeles and chairman of the Democratic convention, talks to NBC News' Andrea Mitchell about some Democrats who have chosen not to attend this cycle's convention being held in Charlotte, NC. "What does it say when leading Democrats do not want to be seen at the convention renominating their party leader, President Obama?" Andrea Mitchell asked Villaraigosa. "I heard Senator McCaskill talking about it and she said she is going to campaign. That's what you do when you're up for election. You're not taking a day off," Villaraigosa responded. Not satisfied with his answer, NBC News Andrea Mitchell presses him to further comment on nationally-elected Democrats skipping the convention. "If the president were that popular with the voters, the Democrats in Missouri, she would want to be at the convention. She would want to be in that picture," Mitchell said to Mayor Villaraigosa. "We're going to have thousands of people, the vast majority of Democratic elected officials who are delegates are going to be there. I think it's a lot about nothing. At the end of the day, she's campaigning. I think that's probably true for Senator Manchin (D-WV) and yes, it's true, in some states we have a lot of work to do. That's what campaigns are all about. I expect that the convention will frame the campaign. That's what people will be watching and it's going to be a very close election but ultimately I expect the president to win.