"Why Martin O’Malley’s Camp Thinks the Bernie Sanders Surge Will Help Him"

[FSogol]

In another year, Martin O’Malley would look like a front-runner for president of the United States.

He’s a photogenic former governor of an influential state, Maryland, and boasts a record of progressive achievements that should thrill grassroots Democrats. At age 52, he’s old enough to command some gravitas and young enough to look like a candidate of tomorrow. He even plays a mean guitar.

But Mr. O’Malley, as of right now, is not being taken seriously. Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state, is the juggernaut of 2016. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who calls himself a socialist, is electrifying liberals in Iowa and New Hampshire who are sick of the Clinton dynasty. Much of the chattering class thinks there’s simply no oxygen left for the nice-looking guy from Maryland.

Unsurprisingly, the O’Malley camp is dismissive of such talk. And they’re convinced Mr. O’Malley is exactly where he needs to be, even if he’s garnering single-digit support in national and early voting state polls.

Rest of the article by Ross Barkan here:

http://observer.com/2015/06/why-martin-omalleys-camp-thinks-the-bernie-sanders-surge-will-help-him/

[Kalidurga]

1. I think he is right about Bernie's running will help him.

I think the author is wrong on just about every other point. But, the only way to know if the author is right or if my hunch is right is to wait until September and see if #theBerninSummer is just a flash in the pan campaign or not.

[FSogol]

2. Agreed. Only time will tell. n/t

[askew]

3. I think it is way too early to know what is going to happen.

Obama didn't really catch on in Iowa until the JJ dinner at the end of summer and the campaign didn't start getting real until December.

I think Hillary needs to be very worried that there isn't much enthusiasm out there for her. Her events have had empty seats and there just isn't a huge surge of momentum for her.

I think Sanders could very much end up like Dean in 2003. Lots of enthusiasm on the coasts and not enough to win Iowa or NH.

But, in order for O'Malley to start making in-roads in Iowa, he needs to be spending more time there. He isn't doing enough events there yet.

[elleng]

4. O'Malley in Iowa

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2015/05/30/martin-malley-iowa-democrat-presidential-campaign-first-stops-des-moines-davenport-baltimore/28240811/

O’Malley said he brings to the race not only “a fearlessness about my progressive goals” but something else: the accomplishments of running a state and a city for most of the past two decades.

“I believe I offer this alone among the candidates for the Democratic nomination: I have 15 years of executive experience, of actually getting things done,” he said. “Many of us talk about the things we should do, whether it’s increasing the minimum wage, whether it’s investing more in infrastructure and new industries to create more jobs. I’ve actually done those things.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/05/31/omalley-confronts-reality-of-sanders-as-well-as-clinton/

http://www.radioiowa.com/2015/05/31/crowds-turn-out-to-see-clinton-challengers-sanders-omalley-in-iowa/

[FSogol]

5. Actually O'Malley sent staff memebers (32) to help Democratic candidates

across Iowa during the 2014 midterms. He planted roots in the state.

[elleng]

6. Great to hear this!