As we await the beginning of actual voting next week and after that, a major mystery remains.
Why did former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley turn out to be a total dud as a candidate?
O’Malley was one of the best Governors in America during his eight years in that position, and he had the charisma, good looks, and youth, that one would have thought that he would be a serious challenger to Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and others of the “older generation.”
After the experience of the “younger generation” backing John F. Kennedy in 1960; Jimmy Carter in 1976; Bill Clinton in 1992; and Barack Obama in 2008, one would have thought that O’Malley would have similar appeal, and without being the first Catholic nominee; the first Southerner since 1848; a flawed candidate with a sex scandal from a small Southern state; and a mixed race African American with little national experience to deal with!
And yet, it was a candidate even older than Hillary Clinton or Joe Biden–Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont—with his declaration that he was a Democratic Socialist; was an Independent who only became a party member when he announced for President; and with a New York Jewish background (not necessarily a plus across the nation), who became the favorite of newer voters, younger voters (under 45), and those who would be thought to prefer someone closer to their age and from a larger and more significant state (Maryland) than Vermont represents.
The lack of traction of O’Malley remains a deep mystery, and one wonders if his run this year will give him an upper hand, despite it being a total flop, if the Democrats lose the Presidency in 2016.
Could it be the beginning of the rise on top of the disaster, if it occurs, of a Democratic defeat this year?
Certainly, no one in their right mind who is a progressive, wishes for failure this year to lead to success later!
But sometimes, repudiation now leads to success later!
If O’Malley’s supporters can’t reach 15% in any particular caucus, how do you think they’ll split? What proportion to Mrs. Clinton, what proportion to Bernie?
Southern Liberal, I would think more to Bernie!–two out of three!
The Des Moines Register says he’s best suited to a cabinet position.
He has no real space in the race. Clinton is the moderate while Bernie occupies the left. He doesn’t really have any defining issue or position other than being the guy who actually implemented a lot of the policies Hillary and Bernie are running on.
You are correct, Princess Leia, but who can say that he might not emerge if the Democrats lose in 2016?
O’Malley is young enough to still have more than one bite at this apple.
Bernie is trying to inspire a grass roots revolution, while O’Malley seems to want to implement change through executive management. In any other time, I think O’Malley would have been a front-runner.
Absolutely, Rational Lefty, exactly my point!
That makes sense, Pragmatic Progressive!