This may sound surprising, even silly and counterintuitive

[cali]

but I actually think the most viable dem in a general election would be O'Malley.

Yeah I know his polling isn't even a blip, but I think that has far less to do with his abilities than bad luck and bad timing in entering the race. But if he was the nominee?
He has an appealing persona. He's youngish and energetic. He's smart and a policy wonk. He's a."fresh face". Yeah, like all politicians he has some baggage, but I don't think it's overwhelming by any means. I think he'd be a strong and compelling nominee.

I don't, however, back someone because I think they'd have the best chance in the general.

[Cleita]

1. He would be my second choice. eom

[valerief]

36. I agree. My second, too. nt

[FSogol]

2. O'MG! Gotta agree.

Electabilty is mportant to me, but it isn't the sole reason I support him.

I like his comprehensive plans on the issues:

https://martinomalley.com/vision/
https://martinomalley.com/policy/criminal-justice/
https://14d2r744okfe40r1ug1oqm6y-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/OMalley-Wall-Street-Reform.pdf
https://martinomalley.com/policy/make-college-debt-free/
https://martinomalley.com/the-latest/immigration/
https://martinomalley.com/climate/iowa/
https://martinomalley.com/climate/

and I like the fact that he's already accomplished many of his ideas in Maryland.

Why O'Malley? He...

1. Ended death penalty in Maryland
2. Prevented fracking in Maryland and put regulations in the way to prevent next GOP Gov Hogan fom easily allowing fracking.
3. Provided health insurance for 380,000
4. Reduced infant mortality to an all time low.
5. Provided meals to thousands of hungry children and moved toward a goal for eradicating childhood hunger.
6. Enacted a $10.10 living wage and a $11. minimum wage for State workers.
7. Supporter the Dream Act
8. Cut income taxes for 86% of Marylanders (raised taxes on the rich).
9. Reformed Maryland’s tax code to make it more progressive.
10. Enacted some of the nation’s most comprehensive reforms to protect homeowners from foreclosure.

There is a lot more, but I'll only add that Mother Jones magazine called him the best candidate on environmental issues.
Article here:
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/12/martin-omalley-longshot-presidential-candidate-and-real-climate-hawk

[hedgehog]

8. Talk is cheap, but actually getting things done is priceless!

[cali]

9. I know.it's not the sole reason you support him

And I agree that there are lots of good reasons to support him.

[questionseverything]

77. dnc insider,3rd way, unconstitutional broken windows policy

his supporters tell me he has evolved and maybe he has but

i feel he has just entered the race to split the anti hillary vote

but to be fair maybe if i could see omalley answer to we the people about his evolution i would be convinced......i support his fight for debates that much is sure

[virtualobserver]

3. "fresh face" hasn't been recently promoted as a possible nickname for Bernie....

In terms of awareness though, he is pretty "fresh" to the American people.

O'Malley has a great future if this campaign doesn't yield anything.

He is a good VP possibility as well.

[leveymg]

4. I think you're onto something. The lowest negatives will likely win in the general.

Both front runners --- Hillary and Jeb -- have irreversible high long-term negatives. Bernie may be able to overcome most of it, but right now, there's a high residual negative attached to the term "socialist." O'Malley doesn't have these burdens, but he has no mass base of support and not much of an organization.

[djean111]

5. This keeps me from supporting him:

http://www.ontheissues.org/Governor/Martin_O%60Malley_Principles_+_Values.htm

Supports Hyde Park Declaration of "Third Way" centrism.

O`Malley adopted the manifesto, "A New Politics for a New America":
As New Democrats, we believe in a Third Way that rejects the old left-right debate and affirms America’s basic bargain: opportunity for all, responsibility from all, and community of all.
We believe:
that government’s proper role in the New Economy is to equip working Americans with new tools for economic success and security.
in expanding trade and investment because we must be a party of economic progress, not economic reaction.
that fiscal discipline is fundamental to sustained economic growth as well as responsible government.
that a progressive tax system is the only fair way to pay for government.
the Democratic Party’s mission is to expand opportunity, not government.
that education must be America’s great equalizer, and we will not abandon our public schools or tolerate their failure.
that all Americans must have access to health insurance.
in preventing crime and punishing criminals.
in a new social compact that requires and rewards work in exchange for public assistance and that ensures that no family with a full-time worker will live in poverty.
that public policies should reinforce marriage, promote family, demand parental responsibility, and discourage out-of-wedlock births.
in enhancing the role that civic entrepreneurs, voluntary groups, and religious institutions play in tackling America’s social ills.
in strengthening environmental protection by giving communities the flexibility to tackle new challenges that cannot be solved with top-down mandates.
government must combat discrimination on the basis of race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation; defend civil liberties; and stay out of our private lives.
that abortion should be safe, legal, and rare.
in progressive internationalism -- the bold exercise of US leadership to foster peace, prosperity, and democracy.
that the US must maintain a strong, technologically superior defense to protect our interests and values.
Source: The Hyde Park Declaration 00-DLC0 on Aug 1, 2000

That "New Democrat" stuff is Third Way Centrism. IMO. It sounds good, until I think about it, then it sounds like campaign rhetoric wrapped around the TPP and austerity. Just my opinion, though. And how I make/made my decision about who I will support.

[FSogol]

7. What action did O'Malley take as Governor that leads you to believe he is third way?

Ended the death penalty
Raised taxes on the rich
Protected the environment at the expense of powerful agriculture lobbyists
Frozen college tuition

And as I ask everyone who posts the Hyde Park Doc, what is objectionable in that 15 year old document?

[djean111]

11. Like I said, it reminds me of Third Way New Democrat Centrist stuff.

It really looks to me, as I said, like feel-good rhetoric wrapped around the TPP et al. and austerity.
Your mileage may vary, that's all.
In any event, that's pretty much all I have to explain to anyone, about who I choose to support.

The anger and disbelief some seem to have that others do not support their candidate is kind of strange.

And I am not going to stop supporting a candidate I heartily agree with in order to support another just because someone has deemed them more electable.

[FSogol]

16. You are welcome to support whoever you like, but please be honest and support the

people you want for the right reasons. Dismissing great candidates because you are making unfounded assumptions that are not supported by the candidate's actual record is wrong. I have not gotten angry or demanded that you support O'Malley. I have no problems with Democrats that support Sanders or HRC, I just want the party to pull together when we have a nominee. Kicking the other Democratic candidates in this race doesn't help.

PS. O'Malley came out against the TPP very early, so I'm not sure why you keep bringing it up.

[djean111]

33. I supported Bernie early on, for what I consider the right reasons.

I am satisfied with my choice. As far as the TPP is concerned, and like all political pronouncements, I automatically take every pronouncement with a grain of salt.
Your implication seems to always be that if people just looked at O'Malley, they would realize he is better than their own candidate of choice. And if they don't, they are mistaken.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251489876

Question for Sanders, Clinton, Chaffee and Webb supporters:

have you read ANYTHING about Martin O'Malley?

If not, please DO. There really is NO EXCUSE to remain ignorant.

We're all too busy digging in our heels

Yup, seems that's what lemmings do.

DNC SHOULD look to O'Malley, as he's a 'certified' Democrat (I DON'T mean to cast asparagus at Sanders but facts is facts, and the consequences are significant.

If you are not trying to pull support from Bernie and Hillary, then you are just doing the Pedge-y Thing.
I think the Hillary supporters have kind of used that one up. The "not a Democrat" is just sad. IMO, of course. Been through that one earlier this year.

Anyway, I was just explaining why I support Bernie. Further argument is, as they say, is futile and I guess I have my ignorant lemming heels quite dug in.

[FSogol]

37. Now I think you are confused. I didn't say any of those things from that thread.

Have a good day.

[djean111]

67. I was clumsily trying to show my impression of how O'Malley supporters think of

other candidates' supporters. Particularly Bernie's supporters.

That's why I did not put names.

[FSogol]

68. I haven't talked to a single O'M supporter that wouldn't vote for Sanders if he got the nomination.

DU is full of people bashing other Democratic candidates; often with misleading rumors, RW smears, and unfounded innuendo.

That should stop.

[Agschmid]

70. Yup.

[djean111]

72. I wish the whole Pledge-y thing would just go the fuck away.

It is pointless and divisive. It is is sometimes used with a sneer, and sometimes slapped down like a Joe McCarthy list of names. It is not even needed at this point in time. It now just reminds me of Rahm saying something along the lines of "who else are they gonna vote for?"

And I certainly do not think that question deserves an answer, at this time. Some might demand an answer, but the are not entitled to an answer.

[elleng]

38. That was my post you pasted, and

I may differ from my colleague FS, I AM trying to pull support from Bernie and Hillary.

[djean111]

47. I do not really think that DU is a good place to reasonably expect that people will

switch. We are, I think, all pretty passionately partisan here. DU is not where anyone will be elected, DU is a place, for me, to get information on what I can tell people outside of DU. Where I can find out what Bernie is doing. I think that O'Malley might have announced way too late to capture a lot of DUers, especially since, I think, the Hillary supporters have been waiting for years, and a lot of Bernie's supporters had been supporting the hope of Liz Warren, and then easily moved to supporting Bernie, because they are so close on the issues.

Here is the sub-reddit for O'Malley.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MartinOMalley

72 members. To 85,500 for Bernie. and about 600 for Hillary. It is up to O'Malley to generate any excitement or enthusiasm. He may well take it all if Bernie drops out and people choose him over Hillary, but I don't see the enthusiasm right now. I do not think it is going to happen - enthusiasm like yours - on DU, at this point. You may thing we are all dolts or lemmings, but then again, isn't that true of any supporters who stubbornly stick to their candidate? Thinking that of the others? And - sticking to a candidate is a GOOD thing, I would have thought.

Also, many of us feel that Bernie embraces the spirit of being a Democrat more so than many many Democrats. This race is, I believe, about issues, and not about the "D" on the jersey.

.

[elleng]

48. Bernie does embrace the spirit but so does O'Malley

and with the executive EXPERIENCE!

Debates will generate broad excitement for him, while at the moment he's working diligently on his ground game in states where it matters, Iowa and NH in particular.

[djean111]

50. Well then, there ya go! Wait for the debates. I do not see DUers switching candidates, again,

until and unless their candidate is no longer in the running.
Hey, Obama did not have executive experience. He had a LOT less experience than Bernie, and he got elected twice.

[Andy823]

73. Intersting

You say DU is NOT the place to expect people to switch candidates, yet I see post after post from you and others who continually go after "other" candidates trying to paint them in negative light. Now maybe it's just me, but isn't that all about trying to get people to switch to Bernie?

[djean111]

76. No, I don't think so. Not at this point.

We are all, I hope, too intelligent to actually switch support for a candidate just because someone posts a bunch of times that the candidate is not electable or lacks leadership skills. I think it is devolving into idle sport, for some.
If someone sneers at your chosen candidate, if you have one, would that get you to stop or switch your support? And - is perceived electability more important than issues? Not for me.

"Your candidate sucks, mine is better" doesn't really work. And quite frankly, I think the lines are drawn, and all I expect from DU now is a few hilarious "I like Bernie but I can't stand his supporters so I switched to another candidate" incidents. Way to pick a president. But here at DU, I can find out what Bernie is doing.

[Armstead]

32. Third Way is "Kinder and Gentler Trickle Down" with a lot of Corporate Code

[FSogol]

59. Did you respond to the right person? I asked what in O'Malley's list of accomplishments

points to centrism? Nothing.

[Armstead]

69. I was responding to your comment abut the document

O'Malley I've got an open mind. Don't know enough about him yet.

But the DLC/Third Way/Centrism, I've obviously got opinions on.

[FSogol]

71. I don't support the 3rd way think tank, but to ingore the past relevence of the DLC is a mistake.

Following the shellacking Mondale received from Reagan in 84, most pundits were writing obituaries for the Democratic Party. The only way for the party to move forward at that time was to be more moderate. Post Clinton, it should have been possible to move left, but at least it is happening now in the waning days of the Obama administration. At some point (hopefully after massive losses in 2016) the GOP will need to move away from their extremism and back to the center to remain relevant.

O'Malley has a great progressive record of accomplishments, not just talk. I encourage you to learn more about him.

[Armstead]

80. Moderate is not centrist

I'm fine with moderate as long as it is pulling in the same direction. Mild libralism, compromise even. Okay.

But the DLC/Centrist/Third Way were pulling in the opposite direction than liberalism. On too many key issues, they stifled even mild liberalism, in order to advance the interests of the Corporate Elites and the Oligarchy.

Their definitions of the "center" is very slightly to the left of Rush Limbaugh, in tone.

Kinda liberal maybe on some social issues. Nicer facade than the GOP, sure. But below that a Trojan Horse of right-wing, free market, deregulaory, privatizing CONservatism.

[FSogol]

81. That is how those groups evolved, but it wasn't always so. n/t

[Armstead]

83. It has been since the 80s

It got worse as they went along, but that schoolbhas always been oriented to that

It may have started as an attempt to move the Democratic Party out of the quagmire of it was in post 1970s, but they threw the Liberal baby out with the bathwater and became pro corporate and basically conservative.

[DanTex]

6. You might be right about this. Hard to tell, though, since he's so low in the polls, he

hasn't had much media coverage or controversy to deal with.

I like him a lot, and I've said before I think he would be a good candidate in years to come. I don't see him getting the nomination this time, though. The room to Clinton's left is basically taken up by Sanders this time around.

[Romulox]

10. He has the whiff of John Edwards about him. I think his "progressive" credentials are paper thin. nt

[cali]

13. he doesn't to me at all.

[Romulox]

14. A picture is worth a thousand words...

[FSogol]

17. So, it is all about looks?

x ?

[Romulox]

18. No, it's about values. (something tells me you missed the point of the photo!) nt

[FSogol]

21. I once spoke to a Girl Scout troop about Engineering Careers, did that make me a Girl Scout?

[Romulox]

27. It might. Are you wearing a green sash?

It's a valid follow-up question.

[cali]

19. no it's not. not always. his record overall contradicts the picture

and I believe he's sincere in what he's saying

[Romulox]

24. The picture isn't photoshopped. He was there. nt

[cali]

29. didn't say it was, but so.what? it isn't proof or even evidence

That he's third way. His record and proposals are strong evidence that he isn't remotely so.

[Romulox]

44. He also wrote a piece with Harold Ford lauding Bill Clinton's centrism.

Contrast the collapse of a conservative president with the success of the last centrist president. Bill Clinton ran on an agenda of sensible ideas that brought America a decade of peace and prosperity. He was the only Democrat to be elected and reelected president in the past seven decades, and he left office more popular than almost any other president in recent memory.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/06/AR2007080601158.html

Like I said, a whiff of John Edwards.

[Snotcicles]

28. Here is an opinion.

[link:http://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/02/martin-omalley-wall-street-foe-or-is-he.html|

[FSogol]

39. Ridiculous article. Why did O'Malley "smooze" with wall street financiers? Because he was head

of the Democratic Governor's Association charged with raising money to elect Democratic governors. To imply that he made some secret deal three years before running for President is pretty nutty.

[elleng]

49. Lots of that 'nutty' around some days.

Good to see you here. I'll be back!

[Romulox]

45. Thanks for the article. Very informative. nt

[Snotcicles]

57. Did you read the op-ed he and Harold Ford co-wrote in 07?

here is a link from within that article.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/06/AR2007080601158.html

[Romulox]

58. Yeah, I did. I thought that was the strongest bit of evidence of O'Malley's views.

I hadn't heard of this guy before about 6 months ago, so all of this is news to me.

Here on DU, everybody has hidden agendas always, so when I say "He has the whiff of John Edwards" everybody thinks I have a full-blown indictment drawn up. I truly meant that I just have read a few things here and there inconsistent with his newfound populism which gave me doubts.

I appreciate the more concrete info you provided.

[Snotcicles]

60. Same here. A few DU members were talking him up, so I started looking around. nt

[2naSalit]

15. Might be worth a look into

his record as GOV. meaning what he actually got done. Can't remember where I heard it but there was some interview with more than one MD elected officials (POCs) who had no glowing recs for him and said he made things worse, not better in MD, like prison issues for instance.

Also said he gets elected only to set himself up for higher office without actually benefiting his constituency after being elected which sounds like the "gold-digger" motivated politician. And that reminds me of Scott Walker for one example followed by the rest of the (R) ticket.

Wish I had a reference for this, was about a week ago... somewhere.

[FSogol]

20. I remember who said it: Michael Steele, former head of the GOP and Larry Hogan, current GOP Gov.

Wonder why he was reelected with 87% of the vote if everyone hated him? He'd still be Governor if Maryland didn't have term limits.

[2naSalit]

25. Thanks, like I said...

couldn't recall who said it. Was only making a suggestion about scrutiny.

[elleng]

30. 'Handsome,' you mean?

His RECORD, on the other hand:

Martin O'Malley:

1. Ended death penalty in Maryland
2. Prevented fracking in Maryland and put regulations in the way to prevent next GOP Gov Hogan fom easily allowing fracking.
3. Provided health insurance for 380,000
4. Reduced infant mortality to an all time low.
5. Provided meals to thousands of hungry children and moved toward a goal for eradicating childhood hunger.
6. Enacted a $10.10 living wage and a $11. minimum wage for State workers.
7. Supporter the Dream Act
8. Cut income taxes for 86% of Marylanders (raised taxes on the rich).
9. Reformed Maryland’s tax code to make it more progressive.
10. Enacted some of the nation’s most comprehensive reforms to protect homeowners from foreclosure.

Mother Jones magazine called him the best candidate on environmental issues.
Article here:
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/12/martin-omalley-longshot-presidential-candidate-and-real-climate-hawk

Nothing remotely 'paper thin' about it.

Check him out further: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1281

[Armstead]

35. As one who was bamboozed by Edwards...I don'lt want to repeat that mistake

O'M may not be the same "DLC wolf in sheep's clothing."

I dunno yet. But I'm to be cautious about it.

[JI7]

51. he is total opposite of edwards to me

[karynnj]

79. unlike Edwards, his record matches what he is running on

Edwards' Senate career was to the right of his centrist 2004 platform. It was only after the 2004 loss that he moved to the left on a platform closer to JK 2004 than his own.

[SonderWoman]

12. I would definitely vote for him.

[FSogol]

22. Good to hear. n/t

[Agschmid]

23. I really like him as well.

[elleng]

26. Nothing remotely 'silly' about it, Cali,

and I surely don't back someone because I think they have the best chance in the general either; I back him because he has the best plans, is smart and EXPERIENCED, and as a result will be positioned to win the general.

He knows how to deal with legislatures (listen to Chaffee interview on Lawrence show last night and his discussion about how important that is.) http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/chafee-on-debate-controversy---war-vote-502620739943

[cali]

31. I'm sure you don't back him for that reason

Sorry if I gave O'Malley supporters the impression that I think that.

I actually posted this for 2 reasons. I believe what I wrote and I wanted to spur a discussion about him. Too many O'Malley threads just sink. I suspected this wouldn't.

[elleng]

34. Thanks very much; your effort is appreciated,

and you didn't give me that 'wrong' impression, I think I 'got' your intention.

[FSogol]

41. Me too. n/t

[FSogol]

40. O'Malley is running a quiet grassroots campagin. We won't really know how it is going until

the votes in the first few primaries are counted (although he'll get a big bump when a national debate occurs).

[cali]

53. his fight over the debates takes real guts

[m-lekktor]

42. he just isn't on my rader at all.

I haven't had a tv in about 5 years so i probably don't even know what he looks like. Bernie has my attention, I have no interest in looking elsewhere at the momemt/

[elleng]

64. Try this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1281

TV not necessary.

[m-lekktor]

75. that is kind of you!

you must get tired of comments like mine plus all the other candidates hogging up all the news space with the drama. i admit i have paid some attention, I appreciate his calling out the DNC on their favoritism and catering of Hillary Clinton, who i think is totally unsatisfactory! she is not an option for me at all. I totally despise anything Clinton and will have a very hard time rationalizing voting for her if she is the one.

[elleng]

82. You're welcome, m-lekktor.

I don't get tired of comments that make it possible for me to provide information; it's my JOB here, after all. I am tired of the drama 'hogs,' so I pay little attention to them.

With you pretty much re: hrc.

[1StrongBlackMan]

43. That is where I have landed in this primary contest ...

I, particularly, like that he is a man of action ... he gets things done that he believes is responsive to his constituents (and like with all politicians, some of it I love ... other of it, not so much).

I, also, appreciate how he got in front of the BLM matter ... He was confronted and (frankly) botched the occasion ... his approach was then to meet with BLM and pushed out a plan to address BLM's concerns WITHIN DAYS ... BEFORE HIS NEXT PUBLIC EVENT. That is pro-activity and leadership.

[elleng]

54. He did well in response QUICKLY, imo, Man;

recall his interview with Goldie Taylor? https://www.facebook.com/bluenationreview/videos/473565742825306/

[1StrongBlackMan]

61. I heard a friend liken O'Malley's reaction to NRN ...

to that I could'a had a V-8 commercial ...

As opposed to:

http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=JN.qAL8YlE0zGvOrPOKkHoPog&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0

[elleng]

62. HAHAHAHA!

YES, trying to keep MANY from that 'I could'a had a V-8 ' by INFORMING THEM!!!

[FSogol]

65. +1, LOL n/t

[Peacetrain]

46. He is who I am supporting in caucuses Cali..

For the reasons you stated and also, his programs that he has laid out have really been something I can get my teeth into..

I have liked him from the get go.. I like them all to be honest.. and have always said who ever gets the nod for the Democratic ticket has my wholehearted support..

[HFRN]

52. third way nt

[FSogol]

55. Ham and Cheese!

[HFRN]

56. what does that bouncing green dot

really add to your posts?

just curious

[elleng]

63. BALONEY!

[treestar]

66. what is the polling on whether he could beat the Republican

[mmonk]

74. I'm not scared of any labels and accusations the corporatocracy will throw my way.

I support him because I know him best and know I cannot be fooled about him. The most important thing is he represents my interests. Others pretend and if you don't believe them, they say they are not as bad as Republicans. That is not a reason to vote for someone. That being said, O'Malley is my second choice.

[Vattel]

78. Some things about him could hurt him in the general.

The fact that so few Marylanders support his presidential bid might be used against him. Maybe the old "tax-and-spend-Democrat" attack doesn't work anymore (I hope), but if it does, you couldn't find a better target for that attack than O'Malley. He raised a whole lot of taxes and fees. He did a great job making the Maryland income tax more progressive by raising the income tax on the rich, but he also raised a lot of regressive taxes and fees (e.g., gasoline, cigarettes).

A lot of people don't really trust him, and I don't blame them. He backed away from supporting marriage equality for political convenience and then only came back to it when it was politically convenient to do so. In 2013 or 2014 (I forget which) he referred to critics of his mass arrest and aggressive policing policies as "leftwing ideologues," but now he is all BLM friendly.

Also his purported "Baltimore miracle" pretty much falls apart once you dig beneath the surface. His jobs record also looks better than it is due to the massive amount of federal money that flows into the state. His environmental record is mixed, but pretty good. His record on the drug war is so-so.

He is still my second choice. He is the best candidate, in my opinion, on the set of issues that is nearest and dearest to my heart, namely immigration issues. I am also glad that he didn't sacrifice education in spite of the economic crisis. And of course he got rid of capital punishment, which was great.