Martin O'Malley
Related: About this forumMartin O'Malley: 'I kind of like tough odds'DesMoinesReg
Former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley argued to Iowans on Saturday that his bid for the White House is still running strong, despite his low standing in polls.
The Democratic hopeful ended the first of a three-day Iowa swing over the Labor Day weekend with a pint of Farmer Johns Multi-Grain Ale before a speech to a standing-room-only crowd at Des Moines Confluence Brewing Company. People cheered as OMalley said he wasnt backing down from the tough fight to winning his partys nomination.
I know there are people who look at me and say, Man, those are some pretty tough odds, he said. I kind of like tough odds
Tough fights and tough odds are a silent Gods way of telling us were fighting for something worth saving.
OMalley has spent 32 days so far in Iowa speaking at taverns, picnics and living rooms in the lead-up to the 2016 caucus, the most days of any Democratic candidate. But, he remains dwarfed in polls by front-runner Hillary Clinton and Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. The most recent Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics Iowa Poll placed him at 3 percent support.
Still, OMalley told the brewery crowd that poll also showed likely Iowa caucusgoers are becoming more familiar with him a heartening sign, he said. Standing on a chair, he listed his accomplishments while governor and was interrupted by applause for his stances on issues like gun regulation. In Maryland, OMalley signed a gun law that limited handgun magazines to 10 rounds, among other things.
Any nitwit can point a finger in the wind and follow the polls, he said. Real leadership requires getting things done.
OMalley ended his night at Confluence leading the crowd a cappella in song. Earlier in the afternoon, OMalley spoke to a crowd of mostly seniors in an Ogden living room.
Ellen Fairchild, an Iowa State University education professor who came to see OMalley in Ogden, said shes unsure whether he can gain ground on Clinton and overcome the grassroots enthusiasm that has propelled Sanders. But she believes Clinton has too much baggage to win the general election and she sees OMalley and Sanders both as strong alternatives.
Im leaning toward Sanders, but Governor OMalley has a lot of the same strengths Im looking for, she said. Its too early still. I dont make up my mind that fast.
SETTING: A meet-and-greet in an Ogden living room and Confluence Brewing Company in Des Moines
CROWDS: Around 30 people in Ogden and standing-room-only crowd at Confluence.
REACTIONS: People regularly interrupted O'Malley's speech at Confluence Brewing Company for applause. Many in the crowd sang along as he sang a cappella at the end of his speech.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2015/09/05/martin-omalley-kind-like-tough-odds/71795962/
"Any nitwit can point a finger in the wind and follow the polls, he said. Real leadership requires getting things done.