Martin O'Malley's Comprehensive, Progressive Trade Policy

[Armstead]

22. Honest Answer

I admire O'Malley's effort to offer specific solutions, and offer a more progressive alternative. I'd certainly feel more comfortable with him than Clinton, if it came to that.

But he lacks two things that has enabled Sanders to capture more of the "zeitgeist."

1) Authentic passion and anger. At this point, anger is a necessary element in actually fixing things. Part of the problem with Democrats over the last 30 years is that they have not challenged the systematic problems that have been building over the last 35 years. Instead of calling out the GOP in fundamental terms on issues of Wealth and Power, or offering a different message, they have been enablers....And as a result they have allowed -- or participated in -- the formation of an Oligarchy dominated by the billionaire class and Massive Corporate monopolies........Average people may not think in terms of oligarchy, but they know they're getting screwed. Bernie expresses that, and explains it in fundamental terms....O'Malley tends to follow the pattern of detailed proposals, while not conveying a sense that we really do need to challenge a bad system.

2) Consistency ad Credibility. Sanders consistency over the years is an asset for many people (including me). Since the early 90's, he has been among the handful of real progressives in Congress who have been fighting to point out and prevent the AVOIDABLE problems that have become overwhelming and ingrained. Sanders was among those trying to halt the damage being done by excessive deregulation, privatization, corporate CONservative "free trade" etc. That gives him a lot of credibility.