May 21, 2015

O'Malley , Maryland & campaign finance reform.

in this thread, I mentioned that Governor O'Malley is for Public campaign financing.

In this post Citizens United world that is a terrible big mountain to overcome. I want to highlight that Maryland under the governor passed a pretty good campaign finance reform bill into law:

Maryland Passes Campaign Finance Reform—Expands Independent Expenditure Disclosures

In the closing hours of its session last week, the Maryland General Assembly passed the Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2013 and Governor O’Malley is expected to sign it soon. Even so, the changes do not take effect until after the 2014 state elections.

The final version of the bill is largely unchanged from the initial House-passed version we described previously, meaning that after the 2014 elections, contribution limits will increase, certain business entities will be limited in their giving, pay-to-play reporting will be simplified, and enforcement strengthened.

I post this because the Governor knew that he would no longer be in office, and yet he knew and still does know the problem with too much money in politics.

Here is another link on the subject:

New Maryland Campaign Finance Law

Last Thursday, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley signed a new campaign finance law. Among other provisions, the law requires disclosure of contributors to independent expenditure and electioneering groups. The new law, which generally goes into effect in 2015, will require disclosure of the identity of any person contributing $6,000 or more to independent expenditures or independent electioneering groups that are involved in Maryland state elections. The new law also restricts contributions by limited liability companies and other non-corporate business entities, and it raises contribution limits from $4,000 to a single candidate in a cycle to $6,000 and from $10,000 to all candidates in a cycle to $24,000.

May 20, 2015

Good interview with O'Malley on CNN:

With Jake Tapper.

'It's a setback, It's one of our darkest days'

'We have to do better, not only as a city, but also as a country' The article has little if anything to do with the interview, so I will just snip it.

O'Malley, 52, announced Tuesday on two social media platforms, Snapchat and Twitter, that he would make a "special announcement" on May 30 in Baltimore -- when he is widely believed to formally enter the 2016 contest. Clinton, the former Secretary of State and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders are already in the race for the Democratic nomination.

The former Maryland governor will release a new video Wednesday continuing to tease the May 30 event, according to an early version obtained by CNN. O'Malley's campaign is likely to produce several more similar videos leading up to the announcement.

"I think the way we're approaching things here, making him accessible, doing impromptu concerts at Irish bars, using non-traditional forms of communicating, and yes employing some humor hints at our general approach of running a fresher and less canned campaign," said the confidante.

In the meantime, please gee it a click and watch the 6 minute video: http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/20/politics/martin-omalley-2016-elections-campaign-launch-youth/

May 20, 2015

Did Martin O'Malley just Snapchat his presidential announcement location? Yes he did.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/19/politics/martin-omalley-snapchat-2016/

May 18, 2015

Why Not Martin O'Malley?

X-posting from the MO'M Group. A member of DU asked me to post some more here in this group.

http://harvardpolitics.com/united-states/martin-omalley/
(snip)

So why have political pundits come to the consensus that Elizabeth Warren is the only one who could give Hillary a run for her money in the Democratic primary? Perhaps it is O’Malley’s lack of name recognition. He is currently polling at around 0.3 percent in the Iowa Democratic Caucus, compared to Clinton’s 58 percent, and Warren’s 17 percent. But that number is increasing, and O’Malley received a warm reception in recent trips to New Hampshire and Iowa.

Perhaps it is because O’Malley is not a woman. While a first female president would certainly be a symbolic victory for women, it is unclear that a Clinton presidency would produce many tangible benefits for women. In fact, in terms of policy, O’Malley seems to have proposed just as many, if not more, policies to help women as Clinton has. At the Harvard Institute of Politics, O’Malley declared, “We must recognize that policies that are good for women and families, like paid leave and safe and affordable child care, are also good for our national economy, and for economic growth, because when women succeed, our American economy also succeeds.”

O’Malley also proclaimed his support for a federal $15 minimum wage, which would give a much-needed raise to the 3 million Americans who work at or below minimum wage, 62 percent of whom are women. Clinton has voiced her support for fast food workers striking for a higher wage, but she has yet to establish how much of an increase in the minimum wage she would support. Despite his gender, O’Malley could be the candidate that would make the biggest difference for women.

(snip)

May 18, 2015

Why Not Martin O'MAlley?

http://harvardpolitics.com/united-states/martin-omalley/
(snip)

So why have political pundits come to the consensus that Elizabeth Warren is the only one who could give Hillary a run for her money in the Democratic primary? Perhaps it is O’Malley’s lack of name recognition. He is currently polling at around 0.3 percent in the Iowa Democratic Caucus, compared to Clinton’s 58 percent, and Warren’s 17 percent. But that number is increasing, and O’Malley received a warm reception in recent trips to New Hampshire and Iowa.

Perhaps it is because O’Malley is not a woman. While a first female president would certainly be a symbolic victory for women, it is unclear that a Clinton presidency would produce many tangible benefits for women. In fact, in terms of policy, O’Malley seems to have proposed just as many, if not more, policies to help women as Clinton has. At the Harvard Institute of Politics, O’Malley declared, “We must recognize that policies that are good for women and families, like paid leave and safe and affordable child care, are also good for our national economy, and for economic growth, because when women succeed, our American economy also succeeds.”

O’Malley also proclaimed his support for a federal $15 minimum wage, which would give a much-needed raise to the 3 million Americans who work at or below minimum wage, 62 percent of whom are women. Clinton has voiced her support for fast food workers striking for a higher wage, but she has yet to establish how much of an increase in the minimum wage she would support. Despite his gender, O’Malley could be the candidate that would make the biggest difference for women.

(snip)

May 17, 2015

After May 30th,

and after Martin O'malley declares (and he will) — I really believe that the Democratic Primary will get very interesting.

Right now, when we look/listen to the MSM, it seems as though all eyes are on SoS/Senator Clinton.

Senator Sanders is getting very little attention. I believe that with O'Malley entering the race people will start to pay attention to the fact that the Dems are actually going to have a real primary. They will stop focusing on Hillary Clinton all day every day and will have to pay attention to the candidates that are running for office.

I think it is a good thing for all Dems. I think it will be a good thing for the O'Malley campaign. 14 days, and the race for the democratic nominee begins.

Against the TPP.
Against the death penalty.
Supports the DREAM act. (Maryland was the first state to pass the DREAM act)
Supports comprehensive immigration reform.
Against detention camps for immigrant families. (Hat tip elleng)
Supports Stem cell research.
Supports abortion rights.
Supports Middle-out economics as opposed to trickle-down economics.
Against School vouchers.
Supports giving educators what they need.
For public financing of elections.
Pro Gun control.
Supports the ACA and wants to make it stronger. link
Supports increasing funding for the National institute of Health.
Believes that our first responders are the first defense in the United states to protect citizens from terrorists attacks. (see other links I have posted in this group)
Formally recognized the Piscataway tribe
Supports Marriage equality.
Supports raising the minimum wage.

ETA:
Supports re-instating Glass-Steagall and Tougher Wall Street reform (Hat tip to Jim Lane)
Supports reducing Student Loan Debts and has a solution to do so.
Supports investing in infrastructure. (Hat tip to Koinos )

I can go on… He is on the record for all of this. Add more and I will update this list!

That said, I want to let him sing for himself, and this is a great rendition of this song!

We are all in this together!

May 16, 2015

May 30th, O'MAlley Announcement: Want to be there? RSVP here:

http://www.omalleyannouncement.com

We made plans a few months ago ago so Hubby and I will not be able to attend, but spread the word!

May 13, 2015

House GOP blocks hike in Amtrak budget hours after crash

Source: (AP)

The move by Democratic Rep. Chaka Fattah failed on a party-line vote as the Appropriations Committee debated a $55 billion measure funding transportation and housing programs. The overall GOP bill would slash Amtrak's budget by $251 million, to $1.1 billion, for the next fiscal year.

"Every day, tens of thousands of passengers travel our nation's railways on Amtrak — a majority of those along the Northeast Corridor where yesterday's tragic accident occurred," said Fattah, who represents Philadelphia. "These riders deserve safe, secure, and modern infrastructure."

President Barack Obama asked for almost $2.5 billion for Amtrak in his February budget, much more than he'd requested in previous years. Obama's proposed boost is mostly dedicated to capital investment in track, tunnels and bridges and includes $400 million in grants for capital construction along Amtrak's Northeast corridor.

The vote came as Congress stares down a deadline in 18 days to reauthorize legislation to pay for highways and transit programs.

Read more: http://www.wral.com/house-gop-panel-proposes-amtrak-cuts/14642766/

7 people are now confirmed dead in Philadelphia. over 200 injured so far and they aren't done accounting for everyone.