Though it sounds like he will quit if she runs. I don't think that will make donors feel very good.

But I will support her if she wins the nomination. In the meantime I'm interested in O'Malley since he has done a good job of taking care of Maryland, and I have seen it.

but I think he is shooting for the number 2 spot.

Sam

I'm not sure if he compliments Hillary well. But I've always liked him from the little I know.

Is he a progressive or a Third Way dem?

Anyway, the main thing Hillary has going for her is her "electability"...and that was the same argument Mittens used when going for the Repug nomination.

Fracking indecision, gambling, common core and all

The last thing we need in the Democratic Party and for the nation is a presidential nomination coronation for the wife of a former president.

Sorry, that's just how I see it.

We need to break at least partially out of the status quo -- this income stagnation for the middle class is really starting to take its toll and business as usual is going to destroy us.

I didn't hear it any place else.

For me it is the same kind of point as George W. Bush being the son of a former president.

In a nation of 300 million-plus people, the best we can come up with is dynastic leadership?

Really?

Hillary Clinton is the wife of a former president.

And, yeah, she was a Senator and Secretary of State.

And George W. Bush was a twice elected governor of Texas.

I'm very skeptical of dynastic politics.

But I don't think the Shrub got where he got because of Laura's family or because Laura was a librarian.

There are many women in the Democratic Party, in the U.S. Senate and House, who got elected in their own right.

Their own right.

Not because of family or marital connections.

It is just a fact about Hillary Clinton -- just as it is a fact about Jeb Bush ... with all this renewed speculation about him running for the GOP nomination in 2016; they are where they are at root because of notoriety that came from marital or family connections.

So, yes, I considered my self enlightened that dynastic politics is not small 'd' democratic by its very nature.

There are scores of other leaders and representatives in this country that would make fine presidential nominees and a future president of this republic.

Barbara Bush responded to a question about whether Jeb should run for president saying there has to be another family.

That is also the case for Hillary Clinton. I liked Bill Clinton when he was president. I walked my entire precinct, up and down hills and knocked on every door for him. But he and his ideas and appointments, etc. are old stuff. We need to look to someone with fresh ideas, someone who will appoint new people, not just the old Clinton standards. Clinton belongs to the past.

We need to turn the page. I don't know much about the governor of Maryland, but I think we will soon find out who he is and what he stands for.

Although Hillary has all but announced that she will run, I have no idea on where she stands on today's issues. It surprises me that she is so silent.

But I do note that Walmart is supporting her candidacy. That is a very bad sign. That in and of itself could cost her a lot of votes.

It's just disingenuous and intellectually dishonest to refer to Former Senator & Sec of State Hillary Clinton, as somebody's "wife".

or does it just come naturally for you?

So her credentials include more than "wife of a former president."

I like him but just does not have the gravitas to be President I don't think. He's pretty light weight.

I think if Hillary does win the nomination, O'Malley would be an excellent choice for VP.

Otherwise, I'm inclined to support him for the nomination.

That's a no-go in my view. Not a winning combination.

We need either a presidential or vice presidential candidate who is a Spanish speaker.

Preferably someone who speaks Spanish fluently.

and has campaigned in Spanish. I have no idea how fluent he is but he at least can converse in Spanish.

I am not certain if we need to worry about location... this election will likely be driven by women, African Americans, and Hispanic voters. We need candidates who appeal to all groups not just regional voters.

It's certainly too early to speculate and while I really like Governor O'Malley, time will tell if he can impact a national race. I find him to be progressive, articulate and capable, and a candidate to watch.

We in California have a huge population and only two senators.

It would not be a good idea to put to East Coast people on a ticket. The Midwest, the South, the West have good potential candidates too.

without amending the Constitution. As for only having two senators for California... I'll be happy to send you two more. You can have my senators... McConnell and Paul... I sure don't want them.

I honestly do not see any difference in the ticket with two candidates from the East Coast. As for Westerners on the ticket... Obama is from Hawaii... about as far west as you can get. Just joking, I know he represented himself as being from Illinois during the campaign. I'm not trying to malign your opinion. I fully understand. I'm originally from South Carolina and let me tell you I would love a viable Democratic candidate to come from my home state. The fact is... if there was on, he/she would likely not carry South Carolina. Our problems are more than regional. Would Sherrod Brown be an asset in Ohio? Possibly. But there is a possibility that a candidate like O'Malley could carry the same weight there as a home-town boy at election time in a state that leans more conservatively.

I have told a lot of people that I fully believe our first Hispanic president will be one of the Castro brothers from Texas. I have no crystal ball, and I am likely wrong... but as Democrats we need to be searching for candidates who have national appeal. If you can find one in California... bring them on... I'll be happy to work for them.

For me... I'm not worried about where our candidates come from as outreach through the Internet has shrunk borders, and we can become as involved in a race not in our state as we do in our own backyard. Senator Warren is a prime example. I'm not naïve enough to expect the next Democratic nominee will be as liberal as I want them to be. The important thing is to keep the presidency in the hands of the Democrats, keep the Senate and win back the House. Tall order I know... but a girl can dream.

First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992, Representative Xavier Becerra serves as Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, is a member of the powerful Committee on Ways And Means and is Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security.

His committee is responsible for formulating our nation’s tax, Social Security, Medicare, trade and income security laws. As Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, Rep. Becerra wields a strong voice in House Democratic leadership, helping to set priorities and drive the legislative decision making process.

. . . .
The first Latino to serve on the Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Becerra has used his position to increase opportunities for working families, to improve the Social Security program for women and minorities, to combat poverty among the working poor, and to strengthen Medicare and ensure its long-term viability. He currently serves on the Oversight and Social Security Subcommittees. In 2010, Rep. Becerra served on the bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.

. . . .

Rep. Becerra is the son of working-class parents and was the first in his family to graduate from college. His mother was born in Jalisco, Mexico and immigrated to the United States after marrying his father. In 1980, Rep. Becerra earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Stanford University. He was awarded his Juris Doctorate from Stanford Law School in 1984.

Rep. Becerra is married to Dr. Carolina Reyes. They are the proud parents of three daughters: Clarisa, Olivia and Natalia.

http://www.dems.gov/member/xavier-becerra/

Rep. Becerra is a calm, intelligent progressive and can explain complex laws and views so that anyone can understand him. I first heard him explain Social Security to a group of unsophisticated voters in a high school lunchroom years ago. I was blown away by his ability to communicate and hold his own without "losing it." He is amazing. I'm not sure he would take the vice presidency, but they could not find anyone better. He is, in my opinion, just stellar. Becerra is extremely likable, just a really great guy as well as brilliant. He is very patient and caring when he speaks to people, and he communicates with constituents regularly and effectively.

So, the West Coast has at least one really highly qualified potential candidate. I wish he were running for an office higher than representative, but someone would have to persuade him. Check him out on the internet.

I have seen him interviewed before and was very impressed as well. I will definitely read more about him. I agree that we have a lot of highly qualified people who would be excellent serving in higher offices but simply do not wish to put themselves under that spotlight.

Maybe we'll get lucky and Rep. Becerra has higher ambitions.

Thanks again for the info.. I've enjoyed 'chatting' with you.

Here's hoping others follow his example.

hands down waayyy better than Hillary..

How do they differ in policy? Do you know what their policies are? If not...how can you say Martin is hands down wayyy better than Hillary. Isn't that conclusion a little premature? I can certainly see you supporting and preferring Martin...but not saying you know he's way better...not yet anyway.

I can be in Annapolis in about 30 minutes, so I'm very familiar with both the Clinton's and Mr O'malley...

he's not a third way democrat....and that's waayyyy better!

We should be putting our efforts to wining both houses in 2014. Not in this crap.

If Americans understood there are three branches of gov't and only one can make law - Congress; they may decide to get off their asses and VOTE!!!

and Hillary will be the nominee based on that one soundbite. He is boring as dirt.

I look for him as the Dem VP candidate.

Remember that Hillary was considered unbeatable in 2008, too.

in Maryland. My sister lives near DC and her county is run by Tea Baggers

2014 first, but he would have my support.

Dennis Kucinich used to win presidential preference polls routinely here at DU. Nothing about DU, these days, is connected to what's going on above ground.

The true disconnect is people who mistake the goals of corporations with the goals of the American people.
We live in the "real world." Corporations create an alternate "real world" that serves their selfish interests and is about as real as reality TV. Then they push it on us 24/7 and convince many of us that we have no alternative.

lead over her nearest potential Democratic rival. That will tighten, but there are no Barack Obama(s) waiting in the wings to take on Hillary. And yes, "YOU" have alternatives. They're just not reality based.

The party faithful and the 1% are her only support.

Intelligent, informed debate.

I hope we get a big field to choose from. Sanders and Warren are my first choices.
Anyone but Hillary. Anyone.

and maybe less corporate.

You must be a teabagger troll or something. Why do you hate the Democratic party?

I'm just old enough to remember a time when the candidate was a reflection of the party's ideals instead of the other way around. First, we need to articulate the dream/vision that the Democratic Party has for this country and our plan for achieving it. Then, we need to choose the candidate who best embodies and conveys these values. This celebrity stuff is growing tiresome. This isn't American Idol. This is the future of our country we're dealing with.

from the 30s, or maybe Truman's from 48 or Stevenson's or Kennedy's or Johnson's and see if we can't rekindle some of that spirit.

!

He's a good guy, and he strikes me as far more progressive than Hillary.

a run at the White House! I'm glad. I'm from Maryland and don't believe for a moment that he could beat Hillary in the primaries. I think he's hoping for a vice presidency or a cabinet post. He is Progressive both socially and on economic matters. He might pull Hillary back somewhat toward the left - maybe all the way over to the left side of "centrist" middle. That might be good.

maybe only a slight move right while campaigning against the Republican. But, once elected, she'd snap right back to her Third Way self.

and I may support him.

I think he has a good story
He started out as a city councilor.

And here are some tip bits that make me happy...