Martin O'Malley
Related: About this forumO'Malley is better than Hillary Clinton. Here's why.
Mr. O'Malley, unlike Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush, isn't linked to perpetual scandal and criticism, nor is he beholden to foreign donors, investment banks or a family surname. He rightfully stated that the presidency isn't "some crown to be passed between two families" and compared to Ms. Clinton, Mr. O'Malley offers a genuinely progressive outlook on American politics. When both candidates are analyzed, it's apparent that one caters to poll-driven centrism while the other is far more confident in a progressive vision for America.
While Ms. Clinton voted for the invasion of Iraq, Mr. O'Malley has been a longtime critic of the Iraq War. As governor, Mr. O'Malley sponsored and signed a same-sex marriage bill when Hillary Clinton was overtly against gay marriage. He also signed a marijuana decriminalization bill, while Ms. Clinton has said she was against the decriminalization of marijuana. Martin O'Malley wants to bring back Glass-Steagall, called the Trans-Pacific Partnership a "bad trade deal," and urged the Senate in 2014 to reject the Keystone XL pipeline. Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, once referred to TPP as "the gold standard in trade agreements," and she still hasn't taken a stance on the Keystone XL pipeline. . .
More than six in 10 voters (62 percent) said that Ms. Clinton has "strong leadership qualities." In that same sample, though, less than four in 10 (38 percent) said she was honest and trustworthy. A majority (54 percent) said she is not honest and trustworthy, including 61 percent of independents.
With Martin O'Malley, however, leadership skills don't translate to a majority of people questioning his honesty. This will be important when compared to Jeb Bush or a future GOP challenger.
Martin O'Malley represents an honest, bold and capable alternative to Hillary Clinton and a worthwhile challenger to Mr. Bush or any other GOP candidate. He isn't a magnet for perpetual scandal, and he isn't beholden to special interests or vapid centrism. These competitive advantages over Clinton will help him defeat any Republican for important battleground states in 2016.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-choose-omalley-20150529-story.html
Kalidurga
(14,177 posts)I have never had such hard choices in candidates before. It was always which one do I think will cause the least amount of damage. Now there are two that I think will do some actual good and it won't be a hold my nose situation with either of them.
HOPE we get to make that choice!
FSogol
(46,525 posts)JustAnotherGen
(33,554 posts)And Clinton's 'star power be damned' -
I think he has a better chance of unaffiliated/independent voters who want to see someone who has DONE something. Who takes principled stands- and sticks with them!
He doesn't operate from polls - he operates from an internal barometer that knows right from wrong.
And when he has been wrong - he admits it. No buts, no ifs, no because . . .
Going to Baltimore was brave.
Sometimes - I'm sorry means the world.
elleng
(136,064 posts)I'm sorry OFTEN means the world!
heaven05
(18,124 posts)looking at his record, a second time....we'll just have to see. Maybe I was a little brash about his mayoral stint, but something just doesn't sit right with me there I feel it's not unjustified. And sorry is an important word if meant sincerely.
JustAnotherGen
(33,554 posts)If I'm wrong - I will eat a snail. I just think -
He doesn't want to hurt YOU. Or my nephews. Or even The Gio for marrying me.
He just wants to help - and that infant mortality rate, wage, and median income - those things hit the black community in a big and good way.
If that had been Bill Clinton 20 years ago - I don't think he would have gone and rubbed shoulders. He didn't have that grit.
heaven05
(18,124 posts)but guess what I'll hold you to it, maybe. Bill Clinton has, on years pf reflection on the consequence of his policies, especially in the black community, prisons for profit, "welfare reform", the repeal of the Glass-Steagall and consequent vulture capitalists stealing many many homes and destroying many many black families hope for stability has tainted and tarnished, forever, his legacy. Seems HRC wants to continue that legacy.
Like I said, still early for O'Malley and Bernie. I will be pulling my cards closer to my chest. No winners yet, but we do have two front runners, regardless of polls, in my book. backatcha
is waaaayyy down the list on trustworthiness, on her voting record, her extreme coziness with the bankers and corporations, just about everything that counts with progressive, liberal americans. She's a politician first, promise the world and when ....well we all know that song and dance. If she win the primary I will be forced to vote for her, but that's as far as it goes with me.
Dtto
Raine1967
(11,607 posts)lovemydog
(11,833 posts)That actually means a lot to me.
Does anyone have anything more specific? Where was he during the Iraq War Resolution?
Raine1967
(11,607 posts)The transcript is incomplete, so it is worth the 4 minute listen. This was dated January 25, 2003.
And there is this. less than a month after the September 11 attacks, His testimony starts at 27 minutes in and he speaks for about 15 minutes. http://www.c-span.org/video/?166492-1/preparation-biological-chemical-attacks