This evidently prickled those elements within the DNC that have turned on the DNC chairman, who was described last year by party officials as "weak and whiny." Martin and the DNC declined the Times' invitation to comment on the matter. The DNC said in response that the "identified transaction was the result of fraudulent activity by an external third party." The DNC promptly reported the transaction to its bank, Wells Fargo, but was reportedly able to recover only $7,000 of the cash. In addition to throwing away money it can't afford to lose, the DNC is grappling with the party's historic unpopularity.