O'Malley Supporters- Why should we be excited?

[Joe the Revelator]

He seems to be not elicit as much hype as Clinton or Bernie, which makes me think he may be just what this primary needs. I don't know that much about him, other then the fact he is young, good looking and that he is also saddled with Baltimore and the fact that some in MD don't like him.

If his supporters are out here, what makes you excited about him?

Same question, just in the inverse for his detractors.

[KittyWampus]

1. He's a progressive liberal who has had more experience with day to day affairs of people

as mayor than either Clinton or Sanders.

[Joe the Revelator]

2. So far so good

[FSogol]

12. and as Governor. Mayor and Gov are executive positions like the Presidency.

O'Malley has had executive liberal success.

[cherokeeprogressive]

3. He has actual executive experience. n/t

[Joe the Revelator]

6. CP, do you like him?

Interested in your take.

[cherokeeprogressive]

8. I do. n/t

[Joe the Revelator]

9. Interesting

[HassleCat]

4. Domestic Hating

Any time anyone runs for national office, you will see people from the home state on TV saying, "We here in (CA, VT, TX, etc.) had to endure this person as our (governor, senator, mayor, etc.) for (2, 4, 6, 8, etc.) years and we know the awful truth about what an extremist out-of-touch..." This has been going on a long time, but perhaps reached its peak when the Swift Boat Buttheads for Truth did their job on John Kerry.

[Joe the Revelator]

5. Interesting point, and one that i think goes overlooked too often

[cali]

7. hey, give him time to generate excitement. he just announced

[Joe the Revelator]

10. Ha, good point. I just remember it seemed like the day Bernie announced...

DU went from 0-60 in the time it took him to say 'exploritory'

[cali]

11. well,Bernie was the first real alternative to hillary

to announce, and many more duers knew of him than know of o'malley.

[FSogol]

13. 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 Maryland’s tax code to make it more progressive.
10. Enacted some of the nation’s 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

[Joe the Revelator]

14. Sounds like a 10 great reasons.

I have wholeheartedly in support of all of those accomplishments.

[FSogol]

16. We have an O'Malley group here (link below) with lots of good info.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1281

One further point, O'Malley proposes a lot of good ideas, but he's actually accomplished many of those ideas as Mayor and Governor. It is not just rhetoric or pandering. He's track record shows what he will do.

[Joe the Revelator]

17. Thanks.....What his stance on Med/Rec marijuana?

Quick link?

[FSogol]

19. He authorized medical mj in the state, but held off on approving recreational use.

He said Colorado and Washington are providing info on the effects and that he didn't want MD to be a test case. He did sign legislation that allows the police to write citations for marijuana possession instead of making arrests.

[Joe the Revelator]

20. Perfect.

Thank you for the quick answer.

[Koinos]

15. I really like O'Malley.

I like his stand on every issue, his executive experience as governor of a state and mayor of a very difficult city, his temperament, his opposition to TPP and big money in politics, his courage, his family, his band, his energy, and his use of the words "generosity, compassion, and love" in his announcement speech.

I have disagreed with nothing he has said, disapproved of very little he has done, and am proud to call him my former governor. He combines moral principle with pragmatism. He is a social justice Catholic who goes to mass every day, but does not hesitate to differ with the Archbishop of Baltimore when it comes to progressive social issues, such as marriage equality.

He is religious in a non-evangelical, but humanistic and universal sense. He is the kind of religious that even atheists can appreciate. He calls for respect for the dignity of every human being.

His views on most issues are almost identical with those of Bernie Sanders. But there are qualities O'Malley has that seem to fit who I am as a person and the way I think. I share his regard for both principle and pragmatism.

I am tired of fighting, greed, and ignorance; and I believe, like O'Malley, that working together as a people, inclusive of differences, we can restore the spirit of democracy and the power of "we the people" to our upside-down government by the rich, of the rich, and for the rich.

I think we're talking "hope and change" again; but this guy really means it. And Goldman Sachs isn't going to give him a dime for his effort.

[Joe the Revelator]

18. I like it.

So far, he sounds like a pretty great candidate. I jumped in too quick w/ Bernie, so I'm withholding making any sweeping comments of support, but I think I like the cut of his jib.

[zappaman]

21. I like him.

And he looks presidential.
Like it or not, that goes a long way in the GE.

[FSogol]

22. Can you imagine how an Martin O'Malley vs Marco Rubio debate would look?