Okay. THIS made me cry.

[NanceGreggs]

Although I have been a great admirer of O'Malley, I have always been an HRC supporter. However, I have been on his email mailing list for a while, and just received this:

"Friend,

I wanted you to be first to know: tonight, I am suspending my campaign for the presidency.

Iowa has been like a second home for me this past year. From college campuses to family farms, I have had the privilege of getting to know Iowans whose passion for our democracy is unmatched.

I want to thank everyone who came out to our events, and lent me their ear. Everyone who went out to caucus for me tonight, and lent me their voice. I give you my deepest gratitude.

Together we all stood up for working people, for new Americans, for the future of the Earth and the safety of our children. We put these issues at the front of our party’s agenda—these are the issues that serve the best interests of our nation.

The road has been long, but our course has been true. A great many people have put their time and talents into my campaign and I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart.

Whoever our nominee is, we must all hold strong, together.

You and I, must hold strong for that mom and dad who are working 3 jobs between them and sweating about how they’re going to pay the bills.

We must hold strong for the future of all of America’s children—black and white—for a country with equal justice under the law and equal opportunity for all.

We must hold strong for our senior citizens who have given their all for our country and are left now to choose between food and medicine.

We must hold strong for Latinos and Muslims and everyone defending us against the demagogues.

We must hold strong for the future of Americas cities home of our greatest challenges and greatest opportunities.

We must hold strong to our beliefs. A belief in the dignity of every person. A belief in our own responsibility to advance the common good we share. We all must hold strong to what this country truly is, can be, and should be, and must be.

Thank you for your support,
Martin O’Malley

What a beautifully worded letter from a truly wonderful man.

Despite his campaign being over, I would like to congratulate his supporters - especially his DU team - for consistently presenting their candidate's achievements, dedication, and goals in terms that focused on his positives rather than on the negatives of his opponents.

Well done, Martin O'Malley. Well done. You apparently have the qualities that attracted some of the best of the best to your side. I think that says a lot.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. O'Malley is a good guy. I hope we see more of him.

[NanceGreggs]

2. I hope so, too.

I never came away from a debate without thinking how impressive he was.

[riversedge]

9. he has a smart intellect and will do well whatever path he chooses

[Spazito]

3. I really like Martin O'Malley...

This may not be his time but that doesn't detract from what he has to offer, he is a class act, imo.

[one_voice]

4. I read that and I get tears in my eyes..

and I know now I have to choose a candidate.

I look at that letter and I see We must hold strong

I wasn't here in '08 instead I battled for both our candidates on a mixed board. I've never seen fighting like this that wasn't between a Republican & a Democrat.

I will not go after Bernie or Hillary. If I disagree with something I will talk about it. But I will not attack either candidate.

#holdstrong.

[2pooped2pop]

5. Don't be sad. He will be back.

He has a future.

[NanceGreggs]

8. I believe so.

I doubt I was the only person who was supporting another candidate who wasn't impressed by O'Malley.

And as I said, the fact that he attracted so many truly dedicated and positive supporters speaks well of who he is.

[lunamagica]

6. Yes, it hurt me too. He is a good guy, and had it been him in Sanders place

I may have switched.

[Recursion]

7. Yeah. I checked my mail before I checked the news, and saw this

That was a rough one, and beautifully written.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. Well said, my dear Nance, and I so agree.

He will be back, of this I am sure.

He is still young and his road is bright with promise. So intelligent and thoughtful, with his great thoughts on the problems we face.

I hope I can live long enough to vote for him for President.

[NanceGreggs]

14. I hope I live long enough to vote for him, too.

Funny how we get to that stage of life where we think in those terms - but we do, nonetheless.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. Oh I think you will! You are younger than I am, after all...

We do think in those terms.....we sure do. It's impossible not to.

[JI7]

11. i think a lot of people saw him and thought he will have more chances

while for the other 2 candidates it's either this time or never. so if they were undecided between o'malley and sanders/clinton they went with sanders/clinton.

[NanceGreggs]

12. I think that's quite true.

We often tend to think in those terms. "Not this time - but don't lose my email address, because your time may yet come - and I'll be there for you when it does."

[No Vested Interest]

13. As far as I know, M O'M didn't badmouth his fellow Dem candidates.

Good for him.

[NanceGreggs]

17. And neither did his supporters ...

... from what I've seen. It's impressive that he attracted supporters who were "in it to win it" solely on their candidate's merits.

[Hekate]

26. And what a relief that's been

[sheshe2]

15. A good man.

He will be back.

[philly_bob]

18. Much respect to MOM for his ideas and tone. /nt

[R B Garr]

19. Excellent post! Mad props to MOM and his supporters.

He did all the right things to insert himself in the national dialogue in the future.

[world wide wally]

20. We have a lot to be proud of as Democrats.

MOM is one of the good ones

[Firebrand Gary]

21. He's a class act with a great future in our amazing party!

[rpannier]

22. As time went on I shifted towards his campaign

I am sorry he is out
It's difficult to admit he won't be on stage any more
But, facing the bitter truth, he didn't get any delegates
And he spent so much time in Iowa
Seems unlikely he'd do any better in most other states

The key part of his letter for me is, "...we must all hold strong, together."

[lovemydog]

23. A wonderful man, wonderful campaign

and some of the most positive uplifting liberal people here at DU.

I hope his policies are embraced by democrats in every election.

I hope to see more of this good man.

[JustAnotherGen]

29. I hope he gets hired

At a Green/Sustainable Energy focused company.

I hope to see him ringing the bell on Wall Street because his company killed coal.

[Fawke Em]

24. Why?

You don't care unless it helps your candidate.

[Hekate]

27. Sometimes you should just ask yourself if a comment like that is necessary....

...in a thread like this.

[hopemountain]

25. well done, martin o' malley...

one door closes, another opens. a truly honorable man. hope he considers a run in the future.

[Hekate]

28. Thanks, Nance. He brought a good voice to this process, and I hope we hear from him again.nt

[Gothmog]

30. MOM is a good man

This was not the right year for him