O'Malley asks House Democrats to make him their second choice for now, first choice later.

[elleng]

'Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley appealed to House Democrats on Tuesday to keep him in their consideration as he runs for president.

O'Malley, who is running an underdog bid for the Democratic nomination against Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, told lawmakers the country was searching for a "new leader" to help overcome partisan divisions.

"If I cannot be your first choice now, I would like to be your first choice later," O'Malley said in remarks that were audible in a hallway outside the closed-door meeting. He told reporters later that while he didn't expect to win any new endorsements, he had asked the lawmakers, "if I could not today be their first choice, I would like today to be their second choice and I look forward to their support in the future."

The meeting was aimed at connecting with influential party "super delegates" whose endorsement is coveted by campaigns. While the lawmakers are free to change their support at any time, a recent Associated Press review of super delegates found that Clinton has locked up public support from half of the Democratic insiders who cast ballots at the national party convention.

O'Malley presented himself as a can-do former chief executive and told lawmakers he was prepared to take on Republican front-runner Donald Trump or Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, if Republicans "actually nominate someone who has the best chance of winning in the fall."

Rep. Eric Swallwell of California, O'Malley's lone endorser in the House, said the former governor "will be ready when the moment comes — a breakthrough moment. I think the work he has put in now will prepare him to be ready and not have a meteoric rise and then a meteoric fall."'

http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2015/12/01/omalley-i-want-to-be-your-second-choice-for-now


Martin O'Malley Press Availability
Former Governor Martin O’Malley (D-MD) answered reporters' questions following a meeting on Capitol Hill with members of the House Democratic caucus. 

http://www.c-span.org/video/?401444-101/martin-omalley-press-availability

[elleng]

1. O'Malley huddles with House Dems.

'Still, even those who've already endorsed the former secretary of State praised O'Malley's leadership chops and progressive agenda.

Rep. Joe Crowley (N.Y.), vice chairman of the Democratic Caucus, characterized O'Malley as “an old friend.” And Rep. Xavier Becerra (Calif.), who heads the Caucus, said the Maryland liberal received a hero's welcome.

“Not only was he well-received, he received a standing ovation,” Becerra said. “So he's considered a great friend, a great Democrat and one of the best governors that we've seen in quite some time.”'

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/261662-omalley-huddles-with-house-dems

[hedda_foil]

2. That's pretty darn savvy of him.

If Bernie starts to trounce Hillary, the party elite will switch their loyalty to a second choice establishment candidate, whose positions resemble Bernie's. Actually, his strategy looks pretty damn brilliant to me.

[monmouth4]

3. Martin has always been my second choice after Bernie. n/t

[elleng]

5. Yes, good strategy to recognize the 'party' realities,

and solicit their support.

[Old Codger]

4. Definitely

Last edited Tue Dec 1, 2015, 07:38 PM - Edit history (1)

My second choice....

[AtomicKitten]

9. mine too

[restorefreedom]

6. playing the long game...

and if, as someone mentioned above, hillarys support fades, he would be the likely beneficiary as a more establishment type than "rogue" bernie.

i am still not ruling out an upset from him. its very early, and he has the goods, the energy, and lets be honest, the youth factor is not gonna hurt him any.

[elleng]

7. Right, right,

and ANYTHING can happen, anywhere. He's the NATURAL beneficiary of both of the others.

[restorefreedom]

8. most people aren't plugged in yet, i really think thats why he hasn't moved a lot in polls

well that, and of course, the polling narrative has already been decided by the m$m....

[elleng]

10. Right again.

I've been chided here (privately) for suggesting people aren't plugged in which is why, I suspect, I saw no bumper stickers for ANY candidate, on my round trip between MD and NJ for Thanksgiving.

[restorefreedom]

14. i didn't see any either!

of course i did not go far, but in my daily weekly travels i havent seen a single sticker for anyone. i see a few old obama ones, thats it.

[elleng]

15. Same in my local travels last few days, will go 70 miles Thursday and will check.

Yes, the oldies are still out there!

[restorefreedom]

16. i am waiting to see a gore one...THAT'll be an oldie :) nt

[FSogol]

11. K&R. n/t

[Andy823]

12. He has always been my first choice. nt

[retrowire]

13. Yeah, he's my second choice too.

O'Malley, I really do like you. I do! It's just... I met Bernie first and well... He's just the bees knees and golly... I hope you won't hold it against me!