O'Malley opens Sioux City campaign office.
A crowd outside Democratic presidential hopeful Martin O’Malley’s new Sioux City campaign office stood waiting for the former governor of Maryland to deliver a christening speech Saturday.
“It’s a bit like “Waiting for Godot,” huh?” one spectator said. Unlike Godot, O’Malley appeared, exiting a car and immediately gripping hands with those present.
The candidate went inside the office at 1408 Nebraska St. and was greeted with applause from more than 60 people, some supporters, some undecided –- but all there to hear him speak.
“We had a great time at Wing Ding last night,” O’Malley opened, referring to the Iowa Wing Ding in Clear Lake, where O’Malley and fellow Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Lincoln Chafee spoke.
This is O’Malley’s third campaign office in Iowa, with about 30 volunteers working across the state. His other locations are in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines.
O’Malley began his speech touting being the only candidate with 15 years of executive experience, as both a former governor and former mayor of Baltimore.
He then launched into describing some of his 15 goals to rebuild the American dream, including reforms to immigration, clean energy and increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
“The progressive actions we took in Maryland while I was governor did not happen just by hoping, but by bringing people together and taking action,” O’Malley said.
After his speech O'Malley took questions, including asking about his thoughts on topics like Citizens United, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that allows political expenditures by corporations. O’Malley said that as president he would appoint a Supreme Court justice to help overturn that decision.
Afterward, O’Malley spoke one-on-one with people.
Cody Farrens of Sioux City, his wife Heidi, and their two children met O’Malley. Cody Farrens described himself as a Hillary Clinton supporter, but is keeping an open mind about each candidate.
“I like (O’Malley),” he said. “He’s a very personable guy, though I haven’t made up my mind.”
Garie Lewis, of Sioux City said he was impressed with O’Malley, describing him as capable.
“I didn’t know much about him before today, but he’s got a good handshake. That’s my litmus test,” Lewis said, who is still undecided about who he may vote for in 2016.
O’Malley said that each individual matters.
“Iowa gives the country a tremendous gift by meeting with the candidates, by learning about them. And the people here are looking for new leadership,” he said.
The poll numbers place O’Malley behind Clinton and Sanders, but he said more people know his name and recognize him each time he speaks.
“We’re going to work to win. We are in this to win this,” he said.
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