Also a big fan of Biden.

edit- I don't think O'Malley is all that progressive. I'd say left of center.

just saying. And where do you feel he isn't progressive enough? I mean I've seen his career watching from just north of I95 - he's done good things in Maryland, kinda wish our governor was a bit more progressive. Just curious.

W. MD out around Frostburg is coal country, just like on the other side of the WV/MD border. I don't know if he's as-much pro-fracking as pragmatic and realizing he can't lose the voters in 1/3 of his state in a statewide race by opposing one of the major economic drivers of his state. It's a balancing act though...Chesapeake and Eastern Shore people hate the coal industry, it threatens the Bay and a lot of MD relies on the Bay economically too. (Both the Eastern Shore and W. MD are overwhelmingly conservative.)

Fortunately, the DC suburbs, Baltimore, I-95 corridor and Annapolis dominate the state in terms of voters.

safeguards and regulations in place that will slow down Hogan from allowing fracking for years.

From Mother Jones Magazine:

If a state is going to have Fracking I would rather it be a pro-environment democrat who can ensure the safety of it's citizens and protection of enivornment of the surrounding areas than a republicans who is just going to screw everyone for profit. I'm fearful that the incoming republican would do just that but hopefully O'Malley has done all he can do to ensure that Hogan's hands are tied while Maryland is protect while allowing some limited fracking.

For people unaware of O'Malley, here's his resume:

http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/gov/former/html/msa13090.html

the other poster said he was 'left of center', I can't see how any progressive could argue against a presidential candidate with that kind of track record.

I could never get the salary I get in any other state or very few of them. Housing is going up but still affordable. In 2010, I bought my home for 775,000 when two years before it was 1.25 million. Bargains in housing are still out there. Food and utilities are cheap. Taxes are fair although nobody likes the rain tax. The perfect state to live in! O'malley would be a great President.

But we had Biden as VP for 8 years so we'll let Maryland have the spotlight for awhile.

Although if you folks want slower delaware we wouldn't miss it as long as we can keep the beaches and Firefly!

The more the merrier, and who knows, perhaps I will change my mind if O'Malley or anyone else impresses me on the campaign trail.

Has he in the past accepted campaign donations from financial corporations? Will he accept them for a presidential run?? Where does he stand on TPP?? (I'm not sure about any of these answers).

These are the important questions that everyone should be asking, no??

I mean that seems to be the barometer for democratic support, no?

Expecting some candidates to decline corporate donations seems like asking them to pretend our own rules should apply to only them

socially liberal, economically conservative. He supports Hyde Park Declaration of "Third Way" centrism.: 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.

He wants Progressive Internationalism: globalize with US pre-eminence; he supports Retirement Savings Accounts & Chained CPI; wants to increase military and police; build more prisons.

http://www.ontheissues.org/Martin_O%60Malley.htm

and Bernie Sanders who I'm waiting on.

She went through hell with that race against Scott Brown and probably doesn't want to deal with the bullshit of a Presidential Race. And let's face it - people change when they become President and they have to make compromises to get things done. Warren might realize she can accomplish more as a Senator than she could as a President.

I think if she had any inkling she'd let us know.

And don't tell anyone, but I could vote for him over Hillary. I agree with what he said - that the presidency is not a crown to be passed back and forth from one family to another.

Julian or Joaquin both would bring something awesome to the table as a VP. And I think they would help diversify the ticket for 2016. I know this much, if we go into 2016 with two 'White Men' on the ticket it will hurt against voters. But I would not ask that we do a Palin and put someone totally unqualify to balance out the ticket. Julian Castro is the current HUD secretary and 3-term Mayor of San Antonio, one of the largest cities in the United States. Joaquin, his twin brother, is a two-term member of the House of Representatives also from San Antonio. Although I doubt either of them would help us carry Texas, I think their story and their record as politicians would have a great appeal to democratic voters in general!

So Hispanics love him here in his state

Good for Marty Re the MD Dream Act, it's reality & progressive. Move Forward, in Backward Times, duh!

I think he's the better choice of the two if we're going to pick one at this point. I'd rather see them both get some more experience under their belts before throwing them to the wolves....but it does sound like a good ticket.

(VP Dan Quayle was a moron, the Castros are far superior in intellect & accomplishment. Fast learners-).

I have other things I'd like to know too. I will never again vote for a drug warrior democrat like the Clintons so, I need to know these things. I also want to know what he thinks about welfare reform and if he would screw the poor again like the Clintons.

Respect my right to shy away from foreign policy. (Apr 2013)
Israeli separation barrier might be called "peace wall". (Apr 2013)
Progressive Internationalism: globalize with US pre-eminence. (Aug 2000)

He's not terribly nuanced on foreign policy...frankly, knowing the guy, I don't think he actually cares about foreign policy at all.

His comments on the topic generally sound like the sort of things one might say if they wanted to establish oneself as "not a lightweight on foreign policy" without actually having many thoughts on the subject by saying "the right things" in advance of a run for national office against an opponent considered exceptionally-strong on foreign policy.

I can't see him being an interventionist or a friend of the MIC. He really likes infrastructure spending too much to be a fan of big DoD budgets.

I could live with most of his positions and would prefer a candidate who cares more about home than abroad. I also like infrastructure spending.

I hope he gets some momentum, I think he can challenge if he becomes better recognized.

I a very open to supporting him.

I dunno--lately he's been saying a lot of the right things. If he has a recent track record that confirms some history of dedication to those "right things," he's certainly worth a look.

I must confess that my first impression was that he was a tool of Wall Street & entirely too comfy with the C of C, but I could be presuaded…

Actually, my major concern is to see someone elected who is to the left of what passes for the "center" in this country.

Jeb Bush has more name recognition.
My guess he would not be real competitive with who ever the right runs.
He is to Dukakis and McGovern like
We need someone who can win not just someone who can say what we want to hear.

Why not? ... Are you punishing us?

'Mayor Martin O'Malley and his wife stood hand-in-hand outside City Hall yesterday to denounce "orchestrated" and "relentless" rumors about their marriage, while Democrats called for an independent investigation into the Ehrlich administration appointee who admitted spreading stories about the mayor on the Internet.

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., saying he was "angry" about the actions of Joseph F. Steffen Jr., said he would consider asking the state prosecutor to look into his longtime campaign and congressional aide, who resigned Tuesday because of his postings about O'Malley on a Web site.'

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bal-te.md.resign10feb10-story.html#page=1

that someone in the previous (repug) governor's office played games, and 'his' governor was thereafter defeated by then Mayor O'Malley?

smear campaign. I'm confused about the baggage you're referring to.

This was in 2005, and Mayor O'Malley was later elected GOVERNOR of MARYLAND, TWICE. It seems to me that it's BEEN 'cleared up.'

Free Republic and you somehow think it reflects poorly on O'Malley? You think the article from 2005 needs clearing up?

x 100

vote easily. I don't know what I will do if Sanders and Warren are also in it.

In 2008, I ruled out Biden as not a winner for the general.

I've known Marty for over 15 years...I worked for his Baltimore Mayoral campaign when I was in college. If he declares, I'm going to move back to DC to work for his campaign. I don't care if I have to sleep on a cardboard mat on the grate outside Foggy Bottom Station...I want to see him win.

My brother, who lives in MD tells me there was a ginormous and costly problem with the setup of the insurance exchange under Obamacare, which resulted in O'Malley's hand picked successor losing the 2014 gubernatorial election to a republican in such a blue state.

Is there anything to this and if so, can any of it be blamed on O'Malley? Because if there is, the Clintons and their surrogates will beat him unmercifully about the head and shoulders with it. Not to mention the republicans, should he become the candidate.

I could support him if for no other reason than his last name isn't Clinton.

And was a shitty candidate. Even O'Malley said as much. While the health care website was a debacle, it could've easily been overcome in a majority Democratic State if we had a better candidate.

and then ran for governor after O'Malley was was 'term-limited' out, and failed in that attempt.

Unless Al Gore stepped up for another run... which isn't going to happen.

I still believe Hillary Clinton will get the nomination though and I'll support her in the General Election if that turns out to be the case.

a Great President!!

You had to know that your friend from next door would have to ring in!!!

If he is on the primary ballot I will vote for him. If he wins that I will vote for him in the general. That doesn't mean I agree with him on all issues, but I am sure he can reasonably accommodate most of the concerns some people here have about him. Like foreign policy looks like there is room for growth and becoming more nuanced.

clarifying their message and then you get a better picture of who a candidate is and where they stand.

Not so sure with O'Malley even though I like what he says.

He is very quiet. I would have to see whether he can connect emotionally with a crowd, get people excited enough to go out and vote nationwide.

I am sticking with Elizabeth Warren. Sorry. Even if she doesn't want to run, she should be the candidate.

Do we have to drag her into the race kicking and screaming? That won't look pretty.

And there is only one...and that is why I want to draft Warren.

And besides if Jeb is the one for the GOP it negates the dynasty problem he has...and I think he will be the one...so Hillary is Jeb's choice.

She has said 'no' how many times.

I'm ready to move on.

I'm not going to force someone to be a candidate who doesn't want it. I'm not that type of person.

And untill she says "If nominated I will not run and if elected I will not serve" I will hope if you don't mind.

But without someone new, and I am not convinced that O'Mally is a real thing yet...he could be just a stalking horse for all I know of him, to stear progressives away from the Warren hope...and if so Hillary will be it, and I think Jeb will win...that is my opnion and you could call it a prediction.

We will see.

Never has a candidate seem so unwilling like Elizabeth Warren nor a group of supporters seem so desperate.

And that is a reality that some cannot handle...better to pin your hopes on an illusion than to face the truth that we are being manipulated into the new world order of the corporate state.

Yes I know...it is a CT...because they would never do that.

And "because it's a woman's turn" isn't a good reason. Try again.

It is a strategy.

...the voters of MD were unimpressed enough at his record to vote for a Republican?

just saying.

who handled ACA exchange badly, and ran a bad campaign.

You'll blame Governor O'Malley for that?



You DO know he was term-limited out, I hope.

Lots of complaints about arrests for minor offenses and such. He is also being looked at by the PTB for some campaign finance infractions.

have easily won another term, but Maryland's loss is America gain.

O'Malley 2016!

8 Obama, 8 Clinton & 8 O'Malley should just about fix the Nixon, Reagan, Bush & Bush crapfests and leave my granddaughter a better country for her future.

Frankly, I don't really care who gets the Dem nomination. I'll vote for the big D after the name.

Clinton I think did pretty well in the end.

stare and associate it with him. The potential candidates know this and should be prepared to answer basic questions.
This was no gotcha question. He doesn't stand a chance.

Now if you are looking for alternative candidates that is great. I would agree, but I don't think this is going to be O'Malley.
Good luck.

he could be a great candidate. They sure are keeping this quiet in the MSM, it's all about Hillary.
Any idea when he will/might announce?

MSM's doing worse than 'keeping this quiet.' I was pissed at the way Lawrence show 'handled' him last night, actually 'handled' interview he'd done on Sunday show; they were RUDE, imo, and I complained to J. Capehart and the Lawrence show.

I need to learn more about him and see what his plan for the country is all about.

But that's not saying much.

into the ring. Once he does, he'll be subject to close inspection and analysis, just like all primary candidates. So far, the country knows very little about him. It will be up to him to make sure they learn about him. His name recognition outside of his own state and maybe surrounding states is very small. That's his first battle.

Anyone can announce a candidacy for the Democratic primaries. But, until they do, they're unlikely to be taken seriously, unless they've been long in the public eye. Time's wasting. Any relative unknown needs to get started right now, and O'Malley is an unknown at this point.

Elizabeth Warren has made it abundantly clear in the past couple of days that she is categorically NOT going to run. So, that's one possibility we can now forget about. Clearly, O'Malley is planning to enter the race, based on the past couple of weeks. Bernie Sanders is out there making news, so there's a good chance he'll be in it. I think we can count on Joe Biden to be in the primaries, but he'll end up being a solid supporter of Hillary Clinton, who is probably the one sure-fire candidate for the primaries, given the strong presence she seems to be making.

Who else? No idea. We'll see.