His competitors skipped the spin room, but Martin O'Malley couldn't resist the opportunity

[bigtree]

Last edited Sun Dec 20, 2015, 06:16 PM - Edit history (2)

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- His competitors skipped the spin room, but former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley couldn't resist the opportunity to make not one, but two stops in with reporters following the Democratic debate at Saint Anselm College to further make his case for the presidency.

"It was a terrific debate," an enthusiastic O'Malley said during a media session. "You probably won't find a better advertisement for why it is the Democratic Party should be more democratic, and have more debates rather than less, than you heard tonight."

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders gave a brief interview to local ABC affiliate WMUR before being escorted out by police. Former Secretary of State, New York senator and first lady Hillary Clinton did not participate in interviews following the debate.

O'Malley praised the debate as "a healthy exchange of differences and ideas."

"In a way, even though this is the holiday season, and even though I would prefer more debates, and I would prefer to have them on weekdays, I feel like tonight's debate was really the first debate as we enter into the decision-making window, here in New Hampshire and also in Iowa," he said. O'Malley also expressed optimism that he could emerge as "the candidate people didn't see coming."

"I was able to lay out what I believe is a better foreign policy and a better national security strategy for our country -- one that anticipates threats, one that breaks itself free from the old thinking of the Cold War era, and that embraces the new realities here," O'Malley said.
"We need to develop regional alliances. We need to be collaborative in our approaches. We need better human intelligence on the ground. And these are all the things that I have learned how to do as a mayor and as a governor."

O'Malley said he believed he won the debate.

"I've always been about getting things done, and my politics are the politics of action," he said. "I also offer a new generational perspective on this world of ours and our country. What the Republicans are speaking to are the fears and angers of the past, and what they're not offering is a better way forward for us as a country."

O'Malley said he would not stand for the "racist or fascist appeals" of businessman and Republican candidate Donald Trump.

"We have to be prepared as a party to win this election in November, to speak to where our country is going, not to where we've been," he said. "I offer the ability to bring us together as a nation, and I believe that is the vision I articulated tonight, and that's why we're going to be successful and surprise a lot of people."

read: http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_29284544/omalley-out-be-candidate-people-didnt-see-coming

The Associated Press ?@AP
VIDEO: Clinton, Sanders reps discuss why they think their candidate won debate; O'Malley speaks for himself: http://apne.ws/1Ta26aH

[Peacetrain]

1. I am so very very pleased with how Gov O'Malley

stayed in there.. he's a real fighter

[bigtree]

3. me too, Peacetrain

...he definitely has a dynamic presence which is enhanced by his warm, friendly nature. He's a caring and compassionate man who focuses most of his politics on humanistic pursuits, and he wears all of that on his sleeve for the public to measure.

[bigwillq]

2. I like Martin. I wish him well (nt)

[bigtree]

4. very nice, bigwillq

...best regards.

[FSogol]

5. K&R. He did well. n/t

[JaneyVee]

6. K AND R! Martin brought his 'A' game.

[monmouth4]

7. He may not win the Presidency but he would certainly make a great VP..n/t

[eppur_se_muova]

8. I think MOM is lining up nicely to be the candidate of 2020 or 2024 ...

Don't expect him to drop out anytime soon. This campaign is great exposure for him, and may make him a lock-on candidate in the next primary season.

[MH1]

9. Exactly. I would be very happy if he won this time, I think. But more importantly

this is prep for greater things to come.

I really like the process he brings to problem-solving in governance. I want to see him in positions of leadership well into the future.

I would probably love it if the eventual nominee, once elected in the GE, would appoint O'Malley to an executive position where he can clean up some truly vexing and important mess while improving his resume for the next cycle. Like possibly the VA.

[eppur_se_muova]

10. After last night, I had to picture a MOM/tRump debate ...

Irrepressible, insane giggling followed.

[Andy823]

11. Good post

O'Malley did great, and showed everyone that he would make a fine president. Now if only the media would give him some attention!

[NCTraveler]

12. The more influence he has the better.

I think he would be great as President or head of the DNC. I believe he is capable of a lot.

[bigtree]

13. update: video in op