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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsO'Malley is better than Hillary Clinton. Here's why.
There's a myth among Hillary Clinton supporters that decades of experience has made the former secretary of state the most pragmatic choice for president in 2016. And like most fairy tales, it conveniently glosses over the heroine's flaws: her 31,000-plus missing emails (the subject of a lawsuit by the Associated Press), questions about foreign donations to the Clinton Foundation, and direct donations to Ms. Clinton from big banks, including Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan.
But there is an alternative. Rather than rallying around someone who can't seem to elude perpetual media scrutiny, the person all Democrats should pay close attention to is former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley who is poised to officially join the race Saturday. The former Baltimore mayor and two-term governor offers a genuine alternative to the status quo within Washington and a real threat to any GOP challenger especially Jeb Bush.
Mr. O'Malley, unlike Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush, isn't linked to perpetual scandal and criticism, nor is he beholden to foreign donors, investment banks or a family surname. He rightfully stated that the presidency isn't "some crown to be passed between two families" and compared to Ms. Clinton, Mr. O'Malley offers a genuinely progressive outlook on American politics. When both candidates are analyzed, it's apparent that one caters to poll-driven centrism while the other is far more confident in a progressive vision for America.
While Ms. Clinton voted for the invasion of Iraq, Mr. O'Malley has been a longtime critic of the Iraq War. As governor, Mr. O'Malley sponsored and signed a same-sex marriage bill when Hillary Clinton was overtly against gay marriage. He also signed a marijuana decriminalization bill, while Ms. Clinton has said she was against the decriminalization of marijuana. Martin O'Malley wants to bring back Glass-Steagall, called the Trans-Pacific Partnership a "bad trade deal," and urged the Senate in 2014 to reject the Keystone XL pipeline. Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, once referred to TPP as "the gold standard in trade agreements," and she still hasn't taken a stance on the Keystone XL pipeline.
More-
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-choose-omalley-20150529-story.html
FSogol
(45,524 posts)chance to win.
Why do I support O'Malley?
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 from 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 Marylands tax code to make it more progressive.
10. Enacted some of the nations 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
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)Really don't know much now.
cali
(114,904 posts)I'm glad he's getting into the race ..
RufusTFirefly
(8,812 posts)one_voice
(20,043 posts)I'm looking forward to O'Malley entering the race. He's gotten my attention.
It will be nice to have more than Hillary & Bernie to talk about. I want to hear what they all have to say.
I'm non-committed thus far. I can't wait to hear them debate. That will be awesome.
elleng
(131,076 posts)Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)president. If you are going to support O'Malley you will need to point out his experiences and stand on the issues.
FSogol
(45,524 posts)As for his experiences and stands:
Here's why I support him:
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 Marylands tax code to make it more progressive.
10. Enacted some of the nations most comprehensive reforms to protect homeowners from foreclosure.
There is a lot more, but I'll 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
For people really unaware of O'Malley, here's his resume:
http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/gov/former/html/msa13090.html
The bottom quarter is good reading on O'Malley's positions and what he accomplished in Maryland.
With a balanced approach of spending cuts, regulatory reform, and modern investment in education, innovation, and infrastructure, Governor OMalley and his Administration are making better choices that are delivering better results, including:
Fastest rate of job growth in the region.
#1 ranking for best public schools in America for an unprecedented five years in a row (Education Week).
#1 ranking for holding down the cost of college tuition (College Board).
#1 ranking for innovation and entrepreneurship for two years running (U.S. Chamber of Commerce).
Under the Governors leadership, Maryland also ranks:
#1 nationally in median income,
#1 in Ph.D. scientists and researchers per capita,
#1 in Research and Development, and
#1 in businesses owned by women.
Called arguably the best manager in government by Washington Monthly magazine, Governor OMalley has cut State spending more than any previous governor in Marylands history, balancing these record cuts with targeted, modern investments in priorities like public education. He has reduced the size of government to its smallest size since 1973 (on a per capita basis) and reformed how it is managed, so that it works more efficiently and accountably. His actions to save Marylands State pension system have made it sustainable over the long term. His fiscal stewardship has nearly eliminated Marylands structural deficit. His efforts to streamline, consolidate and digitize processes like business licensing are making Maryland a better place to do business.
PS, part of a public informational archive and not bound by copyright.
The Governors policies have made strides in restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay and saving the Bays native blue crab and oyster populations.
The OMalley Administration has secured millions of dollars in rate relief for Maryland energy consumers while jump-starting the creation of thousands of green energy sector jobs. Under Governor OMalleys leadership, Maryland led the charge for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the nations first cap-and-trade auction of greenhouse emissions.
Governor OMalley has cut income taxes for 86% of Marylanders and reformed Marylands tax code to make it more progressive. In addition, he signed the nations first statewide living wage law, along with some of the nations most comprehensive reforms to protect homeowners from foreclosure.
Declaring that Marylanders are bound together by the common thread of human dignity, Governor OMalley signed legislation to protect individual civil marriage rights and religious freedom, along with legislation to protect voting rights. He signed and successfully defended at the ballot box the DREAM Act, which expands the opportunity of a college education to more Marylanders.
PS. Check out DU's O'Malley group:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1281
Andy823
(11,495 posts)FSogol
(45,524 posts)morningfog
(18,115 posts)He is a natural citizen over 35 years of age. He is qualified.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)morningfog
(18,115 posts)I don't know your age or your citizenship status.
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)KamaAina
(78,249 posts)Mr. O'Malley is not.
TBF
(32,086 posts)but I'd love to hear more! Do you think he'll declare soon? Glad he wants to bring back Glass-Steagall - that is primary in my book.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)From: Grace & Tara O'Malley
Shhhh!
Friend,
Our dad is making a big announcement tomorrow. We're not supposed to tell you what its about
but well give you a hint. Watch this video and see if you can figure it out.
I'm interested in learning more about him. We're not a monarchy and no one should be thinking it's their "turn" in this country (whether dem or not).
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)FSogol
(45,524 posts)He has already leased a 7,500 sq ft office space for his HQ, hired Bill Hyers (Bill deBlasio's campaign manager) and hired a fundraiser manager. After his announcement, he'll appear on CNN (10 am EST) before flying off for events in Iowa (where he's been spending a lot of time helping Democratic candidates in State/local elections since before the last midterms.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)snooper2
(30,151 posts)Hillary should make you yawn...she can't even drive and gives canned speeches for 100's of thousands-
Meanwhile, the greatness that is Martin is kicking ass with his band
Enjoy! (thinking about it this should be an OP! (coming soon ))
Response to snooper2 (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)fadedrose
(10,044 posts)but some people don't recognize sarcasm unless it has a sarcasm thingy on the post. You can find it in the box called smilies that you see on the new post you decide to write. Click on the box and when you come to the end, there's a tiny box that has 3 dots.
Click on that and you will see more smilies, and sarcasm is one of them. (example)
Welcome to DU Scoutiu.
Chathamization
(1,638 posts)It'll be good to watch him on the campaign trail; hopefully people will keep an open mind.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)snooper2
(30,151 posts)unlike Sanders...
Read more about him! Jump on board! The O'Malley boat starts sailing tomorrow!
zappaman
(20,606 posts)A lot.
JI7
(89,262 posts)But he once have a speech in a style i did not like and hopefully he won't do it again.
zappaman
(20,606 posts)robert1958
(1 post)The more I read on him the more interested I become. I will definitely continue to learn all I can. He seems to be someone that comes without a lot of baggage.
Prism
(5,815 posts)I don't know nearly enough about him, but I've heard and read enough to wait and see. Sanders is a natural fit for my political philosophy, but an O'Malley is enough to let me wait a few months before going full-throated for someone.