O'Malley: Going to bat for the DLC and Clinton

[Skwmom]

The temptation to ignore the vital center is nothing new. Every four years, in the heat of the nominating process, liberals and conservatives alike dream of a world in which swing voters don't exist. Some on the left would love to pretend that groups such as the Democratic Leadership Council, the party's leading centrist voice, aren't needed anymore.

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

But the context of that 2007 op-ed is striking: It came when Hillary Clinton (whom O'Malley had already endorsed) was facing Barack Obama and John Edwards from her left in the 2008 contest. What's more, that entire message - Democrats must stick to the center to win the White House - was pretty much undercut by Obama's successful presidential victories in 2008 and 2012.

http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/omalley-running-left-2007-he-urged-center-n369721

[HassleCat]

1. Swing voters do exist.

But more and more of them refuse to be lured by blurring the differences between Democrats and Republicans. Considering the big economic failure of Republican policies, many voters are thinking they shouldn't bother voting for Democrats who advocate privatizing government services, offshoring jobs, executing more criminals, and so on. These voters are no longer "swung" by Democrats who say, "I'm just like the Republican, except with a little more compassion."

[bigtree]

2. this is a political tactic for the brain dead

...for folks who can't be bothered to look at the progressive ACTIONS that O'Malley fought for and implemented in Maryland...

Dream Act
Marriage equality
Ending the death penalty/Commuting remaining death sentences
Some of the most extensive gun safety regulations in the nation
Raised the mimium wage
Raised taxes on the rich
Against the Keystone XL pipeline and the TPP
Prevented fracking


The gun safety laws Gov. O'Malley shepherded through the Md. legislature and signed include:

- Ban on magazines (an ammunition storage and feeding device) that hold more than 10 bullets;
- Ban on 45 types of semiautomatic (weapons that reload automatically but fire only once when the trigger is pulled) rifles, classifying them as assault weapons;
- Requirement that people seeking to buy any gun other than a hunting rifle or shotgun to obtain a license, submit fingerprints to police, undergo a background check and pass classroom and firing-range training;
- Ban on any rifle that has two of three characteristics — 1) Folding stock, which makes the weapon more compact for storage or transport; 2) Grenade launcher; or 3) Flash suppressor, which protects the eyesight of the shooter in low-light shooting conditions.

Martin O'Malley: “a real hero for the immigrant community.”
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026747506

Martin O'Malley's Views on Women's Rights Are Pretty Amazing — Women's Advocates Think So, Too
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026763036

This may come to a surprise to some, considering his Catholic faith and his noted “Catholic values,” but Martin O’Malley is a full supporter of both abortion rights and increased access to contraception. O’Malley has received a “100 percent” rating from NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland, who once praised him for chewing out former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell on state-mandated ultrasounds. “Nothing says jobs like transvaginal probes,” O’Malley said in 2012, throwing some very public shade at McDonnell.

O’Malley’s high marks from NARAL are proven by his track record. In 2002, while he was serving as mayor of Baltimore, aides confirmed that O’Malley supports legal abortion and fair access without interference from the government until the point of viability. He also supports late-term abortion when the life of the mother is at risk, or when the fetus has a severe abnormality. And according to NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland, O’Malley has not infringed on abortion rights by signing any new abortion restrictions during his tenure as governor.

When it comes to birth control, O’Malley has increased access to contraception and pregnancy counseling, particularly among low-income women. In 2012, O’Malley signed the Family Planning Works Act, which greatly expanded reproductive-health access by providing low-income women with free pregnancy counseling and Medicaid-funded contraception, STI testing and cancer screenings. According to RH Reality Check, the act would provide these subsidized medical services to an additional 33,000 women in the state.

O’Malley has also promoted increased support for new mothers (and fathers) by signing the Maryland Parental Leave Act in 2014. The law expands parental leave for working parents, requiring Maryland small businesses to provide at least six weeks of unpaid leave for the birth of an employee’s child. Prior to the law, small businesses were exempted from providing unpaid family leave.

read: http://plannedparenthoodaction.org/elections-politics/newsroom/press-releases/planned-parenthood-action-fund-welcomes-martin-omalley-presidential-field/

Martin O'Malley and the 'Fairness for All Marylanders Act'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026762544

With the stroke of a pen, Maryland became the 18th state to provide protections for transgender individuals statewide.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley signed into law the Fairness for All Marylanders Act, extending housing, public accommodations, and employment protections to transgender citizens and visitors of the state.

"We are closer today to creating an open, respectful, inclusive world that we want for all of our children," O'Malley said prior to signing the bill. "This bill gives us another step closer to that vision and to that reality."

read: http://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2014/05/15/md-gov-signs-trans-nondiscrimination-bill-law


“We are closer today to creating an open, respectful, inclusive world that we want for all of our children,” said O’Malley before signing Senate Bill 212 — the Fairness for All Marylanders Act of 2014 — into law. “This bill gives us another step closer to that vision and to that reality.”

O’Malley signing SB 212 into law capped off an eight-year effort to add gender identity and expression to Maryland’s anti-discrimination act. The measure is also the latest in a series of progressive bills that include the extension of marriage rights to same-sex couples, raising the state’s minimum wage and decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana that the governor has signed during his two terms in office.

“It shows how much this governor cares about the LGBT community, how much he cares in general about making sure every person has an opportunity to succeed, to live their lives as who they are, to love who they choose and still have a chance to make a living, to have a house, to enjoy life in Maryland,” the Montgomery County Democrat told the Blade. “It’s a substantial record of achievement in a state where people said it could never be done.”

Maryland joins 17 other states, D.C. and Puerto Rico that have added gender identity and expression to their anti-discrimination laws once the law takes effect on Oct. 1. The state’s hate crimes statute also include trans-specific protections.

read: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/05/15/breaking-omalley-signs-maryland-transgender/

“It’s long overdue,” he told the Washington Blade on Wednesday during a telephone interview from Annapolis. “Discrimination against people is wrong. This is a good bill and it’s about time we prohibit discrimination against transgendered individuals in Maryland.”

O’Malley noted to the Blade he signed the state’s first trans rights ordinance in 2002 when he was mayor of Baltimore. The governor subsequently testified in support of statewide proposals that had gone before Annapolis lawmakers.

“We did not experience any problems with the implementation of the bill in Baltimore,” said O’Malley in response to a question about why it took more than a decade for legislators to approve a statewide trans rights measure. “Perhaps this bill took longer given the saliency of the marriage equality fight and how many tries it took us to get that done.”

“When you have the opportunity to serve as an elected executive, you work hard everyday in the hopes that by the time your time is over you can make your state a better place, a stronger place, a more open and inclusive place that you can accomplish meaningful things that bring people together rather than to drive them apart,” O’Malley told the Blade. “That’s what we’ve been able to do in the eight years of this O’Malley-Brown administration.”

read: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/05/14/omalley-sign-maryland-trans-rights-bill-thursday/#sthash.cjLXGWaj.dpuf

Martin O'Malley signed a 2009 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act far ahead of most other states, & the EPA
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026810146

from HuffPo:

Martin O'Malley boasts a strong record on environmental issues in his time as Governor, including doubling the state's renewable energy standard to 20 percent. Far ahead of most other states, and even the EPA, O'Malley signed Maryland's 2009 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act, which set a statewide goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent below 2006 levels by 2020. By 2012, Maryland had driven down greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 10 percent compared to 2006, and by 20 percent compared to "business as usual" projections.

In 2011, Maryland League of Conservation Voters gave Gov. O'Malley a B+ overall in their Governor's Report Card (and an A for climate change).


from the Environmental Defense Fund:

In addition to the 2008 Climate Action Plan and the new GGRA Plan, Gov. O’Malley’s key accomplishments include:

(2008) Amendment to the Maryland Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard doubled the existing standard to require that 20% of Maryland's energy be created by renewable resources by 2022, including 2% from solar energy;

(2008) EmPOWER Maryland Act set an energy efficiency target and peak demand reduction target of 15% by 2015;

(2008) Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program was created using revenues from the Northeast RGGI to offset ratepayers’ electricity bills and invest in energy efficiency programs;

(2009) Maryland Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act requires Maryland to cut greenhouse gas emissions 25% below 2006 levels by 2020; and

(2013) Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2013 created a fund to build 200 megawatts of wind energy, which Gov. O’Malley intends to use to construct one of the nation’s first offshore wind energy farms off the coast of Ocean City.

read: http://blogs.edf.org/energyexchange/2013/07/29/marylands-governor-omalley-leads-the-way-on-climate-and-clean-energy-policy/

Governor O'Malley’s record of getting things done on voting rights in MD.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026780920

January 23, 2013 - Gov. O’Malley Proposes Expanding Early Voting

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley seeks to expand upon the state’s early voting plan, which has been in place since 2010. His proposal includes revisions such as increasing the number of early voting days from six to eight, as well as allowing same-day voter registration on the days designated for early voting. Of the proposed changes the Governor recently said - “We would be proposing same-day voter registration. We will also be proposing an expansion of what has been a very popular and well-received early voting system in Maryland.”

Under O’Malley’s bill same-day registration would be limited to early voting periods. Casting a ballot on Election Day would continue to require advance registration

read: http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2013/01/21/gov-omalley-proposes-expanding-early-voting/

May 2, 2013 - Demos Applauds Gov. O'Malley For New Maryland Same Day Registration Law

New York, NY – Today, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley signed into law landmark legislation that will allow voters to both register to vote and cast a ballot during the state’s early voting period. Twelve states and the District of Columbia now offer Same Day Registration. Senate Bill 279 also adds two additional days to the early voting period, increasing the number from six to eight days to vote prior to Election Day.

The bill, introduced by the governor, will also increase the number of polling stations, particularly in larger districts where crowds of voters waited in line for hours during the 2012 election. SB 279 extends voting hours too.

Same Day Registration in Maryland is a victory that Demos and over two-dozen voting rights organizations have supported. In response to Governor O’Malley’s successful initiative, Demos President Miles Rapoport issued the following statement:

“The freedom to vote is how Americans, regardless of privilege or economic status, maintain the power to hold their elected representatives accountable for the decisions that impact their lives.

This bill is a huge victory for the people of Maryland. It will encourage the vote of the 1.3 million eligible voters in the state who didn’t participate in the 2012 presidential election.

“This bill is a huge victory for the people of Maryland. It will encourage the vote of the 1.3 million eligible voters in the state who didn’t participate in the 2012 presidential election. We applaud Governor O’Malley, the driving force behind this bill, and the General Assembly, for expanding citizen’s political voice in the decisions that affect their communities.

“Governor O’Malley’s action today accelerates the trend towards Same Day Registration. California and Connecticut enacted SDR in 2012; three other states are debating the reform this year.

“The record shows that voters clearly like Same Day Registration. 1.5 million Americans were able vote in the last presidential election with the reform—citizens who had missed unnecessarily early voter registration deadlines, or were left off the voter rolls by bureaucratic error. Maryland can expect to see a similar expansion of the freedom to vote.”

read: http://www.demos.org/press-release/demos-applauds-gov-omalley-new-maryland-same-day-registration-law


Maryland Restores Voting Rights to 50,000 Former Felons

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Martin O'Malley signed legislation on April 24 that re-enfranchises more than 50,000 Maryland residents who have completed their felony sentences of prison, parole, and probation. O'Malley's support of the "Voting Registration Protection Act" ends the state's lifetime voting ban and eliminates the three-year waiting period for certain people with past felony convictions.

"This is a progressive moment in Maryland and a new direction for our State," said Kimberly Haven, executive director of Justice Maryland, in a prepared statement to the press. Ms. Haven herself had been disenfranchised due to a felony record. "By signing this legislation, Maryland moves into the political mainstream. We applaud the commitment of the Governor and the members of the General Assembly who voted to support expanded democracy in Maryland."

Prior to the new legislation, more than 110,000 Maryland residents were disenfranchised due to felony convictions—one out of every 37 residents. The state was one of only 11 with a permanent felony disenfranchisement policy, and one of only six states that disenfranchised some who had been convicted of misdemeanors. Among those with felony records, nearly half (52,272) have completed their full sentence, while another 31% are living in the community on probation or parole.

Maryland joins a national trend of expanding voting access to people with felony convictions. This month, Florida paved the way to restore the vote to hundreds of thousands of people who had completed their felony terms, and previously were permanently barred from voting In November, Rhode Island residents voted in favor of a measure that removed the voting ban for people under felony probation and parole supervision. As of today, a total of 39 states and the District of Columbia allow voting upon completion of sentence, if not sooner.

In a prepared statement to the press, Marc Mauer, Executive Director of The Sentencing Project, said, "Antiquated laws still disenfranchise millions of Americans for their past mistakes. Changing these laws will contribute to successful re-entry and rehabilitation."

read: http://baltimorechronicle.com/2007/042407OMalley.shtml

“Government works best when more people participate at the ballot box,” said Gov. O’Malley. “We’re doing more, not less, to give young people, the mentally disabled, our military, and so many others the opportunity to make their voices heard in their communities, and exercise what Dr. Martin Luther King called, ‘civil right number one’ — the right to vote.”

Over the last seven years, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has taken action to expand access to voting, and to make the process simple and easy for all eligible voters in the State of Maryland. Governor O’Malley proposed and signed legislation allowing for same-day registration in the 2016 elections. In 2011, he signed legislation establishing online voter registration, and since implementation, the system has registered over 70,000 voters. During the 2012 election cycle, 108,000 Marylanders used the system to register or modify their voter registration.

The O’Malley-Brown Administration has also worked tirelessly to protect and secure the people’s right to vote. In 2007, Governor O’Malley signed legislation restoring voting rights to an estimated 52,000 individuals who completed court-ordered sentences, including parole or probation for a felony conviction. Maryland also passed legislation allowing residents who at least 16 years of age to register to vote and allow other young Marylanders to participate in primaries as long as their 18th birthday comes before the general election that same year.

Maryland also established protections through an amendment in 2010 clearing the way for mentally disabled individuals under guardianship to get registered to vote. As a result, a court must find clear and convincing evidence that an individual cannot communicate their desire to vote. Additionally, working with a bipartisan coalition in the General Assembly, Governor O’Malley signed legislation moving state and presidential primaries to dates earlier in the year, which also ensures that members of the military have enough time to vote under the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act.

read: http://www.eyeonannapolis.net/2014/10/04/omalley-encourages-people-to-register-to-vote/

NEA named Maryland’s Martin O’Malley ‘America’s Greatest Education Governor’
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251438776

. . . in 2010; 2 years earlier they were opposing the Obama administration's race to the top proposals.

NEW ORLEANS - July 05, 2010 -
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley received the America’s Greatest Education Governor Award from the National Education Association (NEA) today during the NEA’s Representative Assembly in New Orleans. The prestigious award is presented each year to a governor who has made major, statewide efforts to improve public education.

“Governor O’Malley took office in 2007, just months before the nation plunged into a deep recession,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. “Despite the economic devastation to his state, he kept his eye on the big picture—he understands that the recipe for economic recovery and success means preparing Maryland’s young people for the challenges of the 21st century.

“Governor O’Malley is a strong advocate for public education,” Van Roekel added. “He has made great strides in increasing school funding, expanding school programs, and taking the needs of the whole child into account in education policy decisions. O’Malley listens to parents, educators and community members when making policy decisions that affect Maryland’s public schools. He continues to be a champion of public education and truly believes, as we do, that education will lead to a brighter and better future for all of us.

“Lots of governors like to think of themselves as education governors, but Governor O’Malley has really earned that accolade.”


Note: this is from a press release and is not bound by copyright.


Under O’Malley, Maryland has made progress in closing the achievement gap. A key strategy has been the governor’s insistence that underprivileged and minority students be taught by teachers as highly qualified as those who teach economically advantaged students. That approach is paying off. In 2009, for example, 7.5 percent of Hispanic students and 9.6 percent of African-American students earned a score of 3 or better on at least one AP exam during high school. That’s up from 5.7 percent and 7 percent, respectively, in 2004.

O’Malley also secured a freeze on tuition to Maryland institutions of higher learning, making higher education more affordable for Marylanders.

"Public education is the cornerstone of our democracy, and especially in these difficult times, we must remember that it is also the key to moving our economy forward and the key to our future,” said O’Malley. “In Maryland, we've made some very tough decisions to protect funding for our schools, and it is paying off.

“We've worked with our Maryland teachers to create the No. 1 public school system in the nation. I'm honored that the NEA recognizes our strong partnership and the great results it has produced with this award.

“While as a country we don’t always do the best job at showing our appreciation,” O’Malley told NEA members, “your work is the answer to the great global challenges of our times and the key to unlocking our greatest job-creating potential and expanding our global leadership in a rapidly changing world. Improving pre-K, K-12, and post-secondary education is essential for unleashing the job-creating, life-saving, power of American innovation.”

NEA President Van Roekel presented the award to O’Malley in front of the 9,000 educators who are attending NEA’s Representative Assembly in New Orleans. The Maryland governor is only the third person to receive this award. Previous winners were Gov. Richardson of New Mexico and Gov. Easley of North Carolina.

Some of O’Malley’s other accomplishments: reinvigorating Maryland’s Career and Technology Education and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs statewide, and launching the comprehensive Maryland STEM Innovation Network to promote the delivery of high quality STEM education at all levels throughout the state.

“Governor O'Malley has consistently placed public education at the top of his agenda,” said Clara Floyd, president of the Maryland State Education Association."In the most difficult of economic times, he championed historic funding of K-12 public schools, which has increased student achievement and led us to become No. 1 in the nation.”

From here: http://www.nea.org/home/40032.htm

You've replaced decades of progressive action with your own misleading rhetoric.

[Skwmom]

7. Looks like O'Malley was really busy planning for a Whitehouse run.

Against the TPP in statements? I'm so impressed.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.

There's a reason that polls from his own state are so low.

Do I think the Corporate wing was only going to have one horse in the race? No. And I definitely know the other corporate candidate isn't Sanders ......

[bigtree]

8. you've got nothing

...and you're just embarrassing yourself.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. Be happy your candidate is being attacked...

It means the person attacking sees him as a threat.

[bigtree]

14. ha!

...Enemies Everywhere!

[Autumn]

23. I like that. Might have to borrow that.

[Segami]

28. +1 Ditto!

[AgingAmerican]

29. He will never break out of single digits

And he knows it

[FSogol]

10. Right on, Bigtree.

[Armstead]

18. It's a legitimate cause for skepticism

Isn't a total deal killer, but it raises red flags among those who are burned out on that pro-
corporate moderate Republican centrist bullshit.

Give 'em some warm and fuzzies, so they don't see who's buying their government, and who is pulling the strings.


Harold Ford? "Let's serve for a while and then go cash in and bash "the left."

[bigtree]

19. it's false, it's bullshit word salad

...this line of attack doesn't work without the boogeyman hooks of 'DLC' or 'Third Way.'

It's a childish hobby here at DU to throw those terms around, but when measured against O'Malley's actual progressive record of action and accomplishments, this type of political attack belongs in the CT forum.

[Armstead]

25. It is NOT word salad

Maybe O'Malley broke the mold and did some good meaningful things. I hope so.

But the DLC and its philosophy is not some Illumanati bogeyman.

They believe the status quo is really good for America, and they have been a big part of the problem of bringing about all of those things we like to blame the GOP for.. They have aided and abetted policies that have resulted in monopolistic corporations controlling just about everything, and policies that have shipped out jobs, siphoned the middle classes income to the top, and done all kind of collateral damage.

[bigtree]

27. the op most certainly IS word salad, everything written about O'Malley

...and the subsequent posts are pure sophistry.

Rattling on and on about the DLC doesn't change that.

[Armstead]

30. As I said in anothr post in this thread...

it is a legitimate cause for skepticism. Not necessarily a deal breaker, as O'Malley has good ideas and has done some good things.

But the DLC has been a BIG deal, and not for the good, in terms of having a party that is truly liberal and progressive, and not just a nicer version of the GOP.

I like much about O'Malley, but I also have to admit I've feel that some of is current rhetoric is marketing -- the populist version of the DLC mantra of "let's keep things the way they are, with a few minor tweaks so we can maintain the illusion that there are two parties that represent distinct differences."

Like getting into some "hippie bashing" with his remarks about "we don't ned a debate about democratic socialism." Well dammit we do need a debate about that, whether you want to call it that or Liberalism or Progressive.

[Koinos]

57. You said, "has done some good things."

Do you really mean "some"? How many are "some"? How many "good things" are you ultimately able to ignore and deny without appearing comical? Bigtree has posted just a few of O'Malley's many accomplishments and awards for progressive action in Maryland. "There are none so blind as those who will not see." O'Malley's resume is not fabricated or done for show. He didn't spend his entire adult life pretending to be what he was not. He is real, and his accomplishments are real. Vote for whom you will, but quit casting empty and baseless aspersions at one whom I (a Marylander) consider to be a good man. Just sit down for once and read his policies and review what he has actually done, not just proposed as legislation. He is not perfect; none of the candidates is. But, by damn, he has accomplished more for human beings in his life than I could ever dream of accomplishing.

Time for me to get off this computer and donate more to the O'Malley campaign.

[Samantha]

73. I am a huge O'Malley fan - he was my governor for 8 years and made me proud to live in MD

But I am supporting Sanders for President, and I hope he chooses O'Malley for his second (if Elizabeth Warren does not want the spot).

I watched Bernie for years and always wanted him to run but thought he never would. When he announced, I was ecstatic. I felt torn when O'Malley jumped in, but Bernie was really focusing on the income inequality issue, and I thought that was the issue of the day. Eventually, O'Malley started incorporating that into his platform, as did Hillary. But Bernie owns that in my opinion.

I think O'Malley's biggest problem is that he has not had enough national exposure, and the MSM did not even admit his candidacy for about 3 months, nor Sanders'. It was not until it reached a point that so many people were complaining about Hillary getting all the coverage, that O'Malley stated being "mentioned." By that time, Sanders had found work-arounds and gained too advantage that I think O'Malley just couldn't catch up. There is still a lot of time left, however, and that just could change. He's got a lot of potential, but I think his numbers might be low in Maryland because there are a lot of Marylanders looking at Sanders.

Sam

[Todays_Illusion]

3. Some of us think that "vital middle," is not liberal or Democratic at all, it is libertarian.

Please explain how O'Malley is posing as being more liberal than Bernie Sanders but is now defending the imaginary "middle." That middle is now more conservative than
Reagan.

[FSogol]

12. I hope that one day, you'll look up the definition of libertarian.

Hint, it doesn't mean moderate or centrist.

[Todays_Illusion]

44. There is no such thing, every libertarian you talk to has their own definition. The only accurate

definition, pre-Magna Carta Feudalism.

[FSogol]

47. Now I'm hungry for Coca Puffs

[Raine1967]

58. Dude…

You are making no sense.

[FSogol]

71. It is glorious nonsense. I can just imagine the spittle flying!

[NuclearDem]

4. Sorry that O'Malley said something less than flattering about Sanders, but

suggesting he's a DLCer or centrist is absolutely absurd if you look at his record.

[PragmaticLiberal]

5. Imo, many people either aren't or don't want to look at his overall record objectively.

As I said in another thread, O'Malley isn't the perfect candidate. I haven't found one yet.


But with that being said, if you just removed the names (Sanders,Clinton,O'Malley) and looked at all of their records (proposals & accomplishments) side by side I think you'd be hard pressed not to conclude that O'Malley governed as a progressive/liberal.

[Wilms]

6. I've not found a perfect candidate, either.

But I'm beginning to think a Sanders/O'Malley ticket will be a really good one.

[Todays_Illusion]

45. I would consider O'Malley getting on the ticket to be the same as any other third way liar

he is not a liberal Democratic he is one of those conservatives running as Democratic.

[NuclearDem]

46. No, he's not.

[elleng]

48. This is a SERIOUS Illusion,

to be expected I guess.

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

[Todays_Illusion]

50. Next you will be claiming he is a socialist.

I see a lot of clinging to Obama's coattails on that list.

[elleng]

52. Not I, vis a vis 'socialist,'

and I see no coattails, I see an active and responsible governor in office from 2007.

[Raine1967]

61. You really have done no research about O'Malley.

What you said is a complete falsehood.

Suggestion: stop spreading untruths and try doing some research.

[Todays_Illusion]

68. I'll just start referring to him as that socialist that is to the far left of Bernie Sanders,

according to all the claims I have read here.

[Raine1967]

70. ok. — or, you could do some research instead of

being snarky when your claims are challenged & disproven.

[Todays_Illusion]

81. I read your post, you are portraying O'Malley as very lefty/socialist. I am only agreeing. nt

[FSogol]

9. From that letter, here's what you are advocating against:

Most Americans don't care much about partisan politics; they just want practical answers to the problems they face every day. So far, our leading presidential candidates seem to understand that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. That's why they have begun putting forward smart, New Democrat plans to cap and trade carbon emissions, give more Americans the chance to earn their way through college, achieve universal health care through shared responsibility, increase national security by rebuilding our embattled military and enable all Americans who work full time to lift themselves out of poverty.

Gosh how terrible!

The letter is an obvious GOTV attempt.

[Skwmom]

13. People realize what the DLC stands for. n/t

[FSogol]

15. Sure, a group that was necessary for its time and outlived its usefulness. It dissolved in 2011.

[NuclearDem]

16. You know what other group allegedly dissolved?

The Illuminati.

[FSogol]

17. Darn, I was going to say, Pan American World Airways, but I guess yours works too.

Wonder what Michael Steele/Larry Hogan generated attack is coming up next?

[Armstead]

22. Lot of coded crap in there

"the chance to earn their way through college, achieve universal health care through shared responsibility, increase national security by rebuilding our embattled military and enable all Americans who work full time to lift themselves out of poverty."

Those are filled with typical weasel words and code that sound good on the surface, but mean nothing. It's good old Dick Morris Triangulation. Any non-crazy teabagger Republican would be comfortable with that.

"through shared responsibility" and "earn their way through college" We already have that. That shared responsibility puts
most of the sharing squarely on the backs of average people...... and "enable all Americans who work full time to lift themselves out of poverty." Screw those who can't get a full time job, or have kids or are hurting. They can still live in poverty."

[FSogol]

31. Loaded crap? It is almost identical to the Democratic party platform.

[Armstead]

32. Ayup. Vanilla Pudding

[FSogol]

34. Don't worry, the awesome plans O'Malley is laying down will become the new party platform

15 Goals to Rebuild the American Dream
https://martinomalley.com/category/15-goals/

Addiction treatment and prevention
https://martinomalley.com/policy/addiction-treatment-and-prevention/

Criminal Justice Reform
https://martinomalley.com/policy/criminal-justice/

Making College Debt Free for all Americans
https://martinomalley.com/policy/make-college-debt-free/

Holding Wall Street Accountable
https://14d2r744okfe40r1ug1oqm6y-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/OMalley-Wall-Street-Reform.pdf

Expanding Social Security
https://martinomalley.com/the-latest/expanding-social-security/

Homeland Security
https://martinomalley.com/vision/homeland-security/

Immigration
https://martinomalley.com/the-latest/immigration/

National Service
https://martinomalley.com/national-service/

Environment
https://martinomalley.com/climate/iowa/
https://martinomalley.com/climate/
https://martinomalley.com/climate/agenda/

Foreign Policy
https://martinomalley.com/policy/truman-national-security/

Gun Reform
https://martinomalley.com/policy/preventing-and-reducing-gun-violence/

Trade Policy
https://martinomalley.com/policy/trade-policy/

Campaign Finance Reform (Restoring our American Democracy)
https://martinomalley.com/the-latest/restoring-our-american-democracy/

Why We Need a Constitutional Amendment to Secure the Right to Vote:
https://martinomalley.com/the-latest/news/right-to-vote/

Tax Reform
(Coming Soon)

Veterans and Military Families
https://martinomalley.com/policy/veterans/


GOTV, DU.

The plan are all posted in this thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12813600#top

[Armstead]

35. I like a lot of his plans.

I'm not trying to pee in your soup.

But I do believe we need a break from the DLC mentality, and I need to be reassured that it's not another "centrist" Trojan Horse.

(Only speaking for myself obviously, but I think there are others who share the same concerns.)

[FSogol]

36. So, going back to a 8 year old GOTV op-ed beats 15+ years of actual progressive achievements

by O'Malley? Your concern is noted.

[Armstead]

38. That wasn't GOTV...That was kick-the-liberals-and-hippies column

It sounds remarkably like that Third Way warning to Clinton a couple of weeks ago.

That dynamic is still extremely relevant.

"Don't placate those traditional liberals, too-pure progressives, socialists, hippies, anti-war activists, intrrest griouos (gays, minorities, etc...). You have to to the ":centrist conservative line when it matters."

[FSogol]

39. That is your own spin. Nothing like that appears in that letter. n/t

[Armstead]

41. This

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=795781

[FSogol]

42. so you admit that this

"Don't placate those traditional liberals, too-pure progressives, socialists, hippies, anti-war activists, intrrest griouos (gays, minorities, etc...). You have to to the ":centrist conservative line when it matters."

which you even put in quotes is a ridiculous exaggeration?

[Armstead]

43. Calm down, I'm not going to get into a pissing match

I like O'Malley overall and his positions. (Some more thgan Bernie.)

I also dislike the DNC (and its Third Way sucessor) and its stance and its effect on the Dem Party and the USA (then and now) for many reasons.The subtext is within my "ridiculous exaggeration."

That editorial bothers me for that reason.

I will take him at his word now. But it's just an itch in my craw, combined with his slam against "democratic socialism." That's all there is to it. Not a particularly large deal in the scheme of things.

[FSogol]

37. PS: From that same article:

"O'Malley said he was recruited to join the DLC soon after he was elected mayor three years ago. He said that although he enjoys debating strategy with the organization, he doesn't subscribe to all the positions of its leadership," the Sun article says. "He said he made clear his differences in discussions that included leaders such as Sens. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut and Evan Bayh of Indiana and focused on what the council calls the 'battle over the soul of the Democratic Party.'"

[Armstead]

40. I said I basically like him. Bt I do have a few concerns...just being hinest.

[Armstead]

33. So much to disagree with below the surface of that column

"As the caucuses and primaries approach, candidates will come under increasing pressure to ignore the broader electorate and appeal to the party faithful. But the opportunity to build a historic majority is too great -- and too rare -- to pass up."

"Some on the left would love to pretend that groups such as the Democratic Leadership Council, the party's leading centrist voice, aren't needed anymore."

"But for Democrats, taking the center for granted next year would be a greater mistake than ever before. George W. Bush is handing us Democrats our Hoover moment. Independents, swing voters and even some Republicans who haven't voted our way in more than a decade are willing to hear us out. With an ambitious common-sense agenda, the progressive center has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win back the White House, expand its margins in Congress and build a political and governing majority that could last a generation."

There is so much fodder for disagreement there. Who defines "the center"? Who defines "common sense"? Too often it is Corporate America and Wall St. instead of actual liberals and progressives (including truly moderate ones) whom they demonize as "the left."

Unfortunately that successful presidency of Bill Clinton and the policies of the DNC paved the way for GWB and the GOP to put the final straws on the camel's back.

[sabrina 1]

20. That has become obvious. I guess I wasn't sure about the rumor that he was in the race

mainly to get a job in the presumed winner's cabinet.

After hearing his attacks on Sanders this week, nasty attacks, which Sanders slapped down beautifully, it appears the rumors may have been true after all. When he started using the recognizable talking points, it was obvious he was reading from the 'stop Bernie' memo.

[NuclearDem]

24. ..,

[bigtree]

26. another conspiracy theory

...creepy how defensive it is.

The illogic in this is stunning. You confirm your own delusion that O'Malley just wants a job in a 'cabinet' by pointing to an attack on Sanders. Yet, it never occurs to you that the simplest explanation for that is O'Malley is actually running for president, and views Sanders as a rival.

The most mindnumbingly obvious flaw in your conspiracy theory is the withering criticisms he's made against the Clinton candidacy at the same time he criticized Sanders.

It may well serve your politics to regard O'Malley as Sanders' personal foil against Clinton, but he's running to defeat them, not partner with them. Thicker skin may be required.

[Raine1967]

60. Attacks?

Attacks like saying he is the only lifelong Democrat in the race? You call that an attack?

I call that plain old politics.

[Betty Karlson]

21. Other than the swing voters, there are the almost-never voters:

mostly on the left, sometimes on the right: people so disgusted with the status quo that they will only come out to vote for a candidate who promises (and can be trusted) to change the status quo.

Their numbers are far bigger than the swing voters, which are voters who agree with one party on some issue s and with the other party on other issues. The almost-never voters disagree with both parties on some issues, and disagree especiaally on the parties' tacid agreement abut the status quo.

Tapping into the almost-never voters would put Montana and Arizona in play. Louisiana too, probably.

[Metric System]

49. I see that Sanders supporters are now turning their aim at another good Dem.

[FSogol]

54. SSDD, I guess.

[Raine1967]

62. +1

[FSogol]

65. Hi Raine, how've you been? n/t

[Raine1967]

66. Good and busy, FSogol.

keeping my eyes out and watching.

We just got thru another election cycle here in Alexandria… been talking up Martin to a lot of our city council members.

Also getting signatures…

[sabrina 1]

78. Bernei and his supporters will tell the truth no matter how inconvenient it may be

[Todays_Illusion]

51. Some of us are sick of the fake Democratic and this one is ashamed of the -0- support given to the

Last edited Wed Nov 11, 2015, 10:53 PM - Edit history (1)

President we elected twice. Cry babies who let the propaganda noise machine throttle their own man.

Crybabies who jumped right in and attacked the best president we have had since Carter no it certainly wasn't that not liberal capitulating conservative Bill Clinton.

President Obama and even now you crybabies are letting the so called news claim he is not popular when in fact that has been proven wrong over and over.

[FSogol]

53. LOL Whut?

&list=RD1AqHqDZZLuw#t=31

[Todays_Illusion]

69. Exactly

[PragmaticLiberal]

55. For those of you that feel O'Malley is this "DLC trojan horse" I ask you one thing: Prove it.

I think I have a pretty good sense of O'Malley's strengths and weaknesses, considering I voted for him two times.

All that being said, I consider myself a pretty open-minded person so I'm open to being convinced he's a DLC plant.


I'd like concrete proof that he's DLC. Proof...not what someone "feels".

So I ask you to list O'Malley's numerous policies that scream "DLC"

I know I can list his numerous progressive policies.

[Raine1967]

63. Thank you. I would like to see proof as well — and

Last edited Wed Nov 11, 2015, 08:54 PM - Edit history (1)

not some silly photo that has been debunked over and over again.

[PragmaticLiberal]

76. Still waiting for that proof....

[ibegurpard]

56. I think he was tapped to play the Clark role

In this cycle. Just never caught on though.

[WillyT]

59. Well... He's Running For VP Anyway...

His pretzel-ness will be confirmed shortly.

[MohRokTah]

64. Aaaaaand under the bus goes O'Malley

They guy tries to position himself for a position in the Clinton administration and he's immediately thrown under the bus by Sanders supporters.

[Jim Lane]

74. O'Malley certainly isn't campaigning like someone who hopes to be a Clinton appointee

He has explicitly condemned "triangulation": "Triangulation is not a strategy that will move America forward. History celebrates profiles in courage, not profiles in convenience."

There's not much doubt about which candidate he had in mind as demonstrating "profiles in convenience" as a strategy.

[MohRokTah]

75. Good Lord

He knows he has no damned chance at all. He's not a moron.

[Jim Lane]

79. O'Malley's chances

I'm guessing that your argument is: O'Malley knows he has no chance so the only explanation for his campaign is that he wants to curry favor with Clinton.

Your theory is ahistorical. O'Malley began laying the groundwork for a run when he put staff on the ground in Iowa to help local Democratic candidates in the 2014 midterms. His assessment, presumably, was that, despite Clinton's formidable advantages (money, name recognition, support of Democratic Party establishment), there was a substantial progressive bloc within the party that would be unhappy with her on multiple issues and would be receptive to a challenge from the left. (History has of course shown that assessment to be correct.) He probably figured that he was the underdog but had a fighting shot at it.

A year ago, it was known that both O'Malley and Sanders were contemplating running. If, at that time, you had asked me which of them had the better chance of being the Democratic nominee, I would have unhesitatingly said it was O'Malley.

Obviously, the main bad thing that happened to O'Malley's campaign was that Sanders entered the race and caught fire. If Sanders had decided to stay out, many of those now supporting him would instead be supporting O'Malley. On the issues, each of them is closer to the other than either is to Clinton.

Nevertheless, if O'Malley decided at this point that he had absolutely no chance, and that his best prospect was to be in the Cabinet in a Clinton administration, then he would withdraw from the race and endorse her. He is instead sticking with his strategy of trying to win votes on the left by touting his solidly progressive record. In that context he's been quite willing to criticize Clinton.

His chances at this point are poor but not zero. Among the major problems facing the two leaders are "Don't nominate Clinton because she's too conservative" and "Don't nominate Sanders because a socialist can't win." O'Malley is a lifelong Democrat who is significantly to Clinton's left, so it's not impossible that he will persuade enough voters that he's an electable progressive.

[elleng]

80. Thanks for this fine essay, Jim Lane.

[Cali_Democrat]

67. The best way to get Bernie elected....attack any Dem whose name isn't Bernie Sanders.

That's the ticket!

[emsimon33]

72. Wants to be VP

[ismnotwasm]

77. He has been strongly critical of Hillary

This makes zero sense. Despite his criticism of my choice for primary, He's a good man with solid, workable plans, I would like to see a lot more of.