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global1

(25,166 posts)
Fri May 29, 2015, 03:28 PM May 2015

Is It Fair To Say That More People Know Who Bernie Is Than They Do Of O'Malley?.....

I never actually heard of O'Malley until recently. I'm thinking the first time I heard his name mentioned was during the recent unrest in Baltimore. Now he's going to be a Dem Presidential contender?

Help me here - why should I think better of O'Malley than Bernie?

Come to think about it - I don't even know what O'Malley looks like. If you showed me pics of politicians - I couldn't identify him and point to him. I wonder if I'm alone on this or if many feel the same way.

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
1. I have been aware of Bernie Sanders
Fri May 29, 2015, 03:32 PM
May 2015

for some years now, even though I live in New Mexico, and before that, Kansas. I had not even heard of O'Malley until some time late last year.

I have a very highly favorable opinion of Sanders.

I have no actual opinion of O'Malley, but I'm prepared to like him once I learn more about him. Or not like him as the case may be.

JustAnotherGen

(31,681 posts)
2. You shouldn't
Fri May 29, 2015, 03:32 PM
May 2015

But my reasons for supporting O'Malley are not going to fly at DU - so I keep anything other than what he has done in his career to myself.

If you are already gung ho for Bernie - stay there! Whatever your reasons - you have them. . . and that's good enough for me!

chillfactor

(7,566 posts)
3. do not know a great deal about O'Malley .....
Fri May 29, 2015, 03:39 PM
May 2015

but what I have heard about him so far..I like...seems to be an electable alternative to Clinton and Sanders....

Sancho

(9,065 posts)
4. Down here (FL), more probably know O'Malley...
Fri May 29, 2015, 03:40 PM
May 2015

that's mainly because of his stance on one of the two big issues in this election: immigration and women's rights.

O'Malley has some favorable support among immigrants for promoting education and acceptance in Maryland.

I don't think he's well known, but would be better known than Bernie.

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)
5. Maryland population is 6 million, Vermont is less than a million.
Fri May 29, 2015, 03:43 PM
May 2015

Many more people will be familiar with O'Malley.

 

KamaAina

(78,249 posts)
7. Especially in northern Virginia
Fri May 29, 2015, 03:46 PM
May 2015

since the DC stations covered his terms as governor of Md. And of course VA is a key swing state.

FSogol

(45,355 posts)
15. And as Virginia got worse under Bob "Grift" McDonnell it was easy to look North and
Fri May 29, 2015, 04:23 PM
May 2015

be envious of what O'Malley was accomplishing.

 

KamaAina

(78,249 posts)
6. The question is, why should you think better of O'Malley than Hillary?
Fri May 29, 2015, 03:45 PM
May 2015

O'Malley is not a progressive populist the way Bernie is. He's more like what a liberal used to be before the corporate Third Way types sleazed their way into the party.

Proud Public Servant

(2,097 posts)
10. One way to think about it
Fri May 29, 2015, 03:52 PM
May 2015

I'm aware of Bernie because of my politics. I'm aware of O'Malley because of my residence (in DC).

So which group is larger: politically-engaged progressives across the country, or the populations of Maryland, DC, Northern Virginia, and maybe Delaware?

I have no idea, but I believe that's the key question.

Octafish

(55,745 posts)
11. Exactly...and why we need public financing of elections.
Fri May 29, 2015, 03:52 PM
May 2015

That way EVERYBODY, not just the connected, have a chance to be heard.

It's called Democracy.

As for who is the better candidate, we need to hear what they have to say.

MineralMan

(146,189 posts)
12. Both have a serious national name recognition problem
Fri May 29, 2015, 03:53 PM
May 2015

to overcome. Here on DU, we know about a lot of politicians whose names are all but unknown except in their own states. Nationwide, though, such name recognition doesn't exist for Governors of Maryland or Senators from Vermont.

That's a big hurdle to get over if you're running for President. But, right now, I think more people are now aware of Bernie Sanders than O'Malley. He's getting a lot of press right now. Once O'Malley makes his big announcement, he may get more coverage, too.

MANative

(4,105 posts)
13. Tough call
Fri May 29, 2015, 04:02 PM
May 2015

I know Bernie because I live in New England and because he's on MSNBC rather frequently. I know Martin because my brother lives in MD and, RWNJ that he is, isn't a fan and is all too ready to discuss his latest "outrage."

I think it boils down to geography and likelihood of political awareness. Neither is (inter)nationally known in the way that Hillary is.

Kalidurga

(14,177 posts)
14. Is it fair to say the primaries haven't started yet?
Fri May 29, 2015, 04:03 PM
May 2015

If anyone gets through the primary and is still not known, then I would say that person has a problem. Until then not so much.

FSogol

(45,355 posts)
16. Exactly. We are at the beginning of the race. Let's check back on name recognition
Fri May 29, 2015, 04:25 PM
May 2015

after the first few primaries.

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