Governor O' Malley's Presidential Prospects (appointed, live, teachers)

[Zimar]

What do you guys think? I was reading an article the other day that mentioned O' Malley as a contender in 2016, and I don't follow Maryland as closely as I should (considering I live here), but what do you think his prospects are? I know a lot of people on this board seem to despise him, but does anyone think he's accomplished anything that he can point to in a presidential campaign?

[nanoscale]

I think you'll see in 2016 are O'Malley, Mark Warner (VA) and Andrew Cuomo (NY).

So they'll belly up in Iowa, where party mules will size them up. Mark Warner will have an advantage coming from an electorally-important swing state, unlike O'Malley and Cuomo.

A key O'Malley advantage is that he currently heads the DGA, which means access to deep pockets. He's not a senator like ex-gov Warner, so there's no long voting record to examine. He should do well with environmentalists, teachers, unions -- all key groups in a Dem primary. It is pretty much a given that his "change of heart" for marriage equality came after Cuomo campaigned for and presided over gay marriage legalization in NY. Another plus is that he's a former mayor and can speak to urban issues.

A weakness is that he might be perceived as a lightweight, not having any real Republican pushback in Maryland. It's easy to get along with Dem interest groups when there's little competition. Party activists want someone who knows how to take the fight to the GOP in the general. Warner will beat this theme to death w/ his "Dem gov in a red state."

[boomtownfunlover]

He'll ride Hillary's coattails and get an appointed job in her aministration.

[nurider2002]

He certainly has the ego. He has tried to get his feet wet in international diplomacy, as much as a governor can. But even in Maryland, which is a liberal state, he is not all that popular. I'm pretty left of center and he would not get my vote.

[ay jayy]

I think if Hilary runs in 2016, its hers to lose and most dems would probably agree and O'Malley might wait until his next chance. If she doesnt run, I think O'Malley will run for sure and he would have a decent shot. I say this as a dem who is generally not a fan of his.

[superseiyan]

Originally Posted by nanoscale

I think you'll see in 2016 are O'Malley, Mark Warner (VA) and Andrew Cuomo (NY).

So they'll belly up in Iowa, where party mules will size them up. Mark Warner will have an advantage coming from an electorally-important swing state, unlike O'Malley and Cuomo.

Mark Warner is a legit nice guy but he has zero charisma and his politics are mindumbingly 'safe', so he's DOA.

O'Malley is Deanesque and potentially a Democratic version of Christie in temperement. Cuomo is probably a better mix of establishment support and grassroots cred, but both will be in the mix along with a surprise name.

[dkf747]

Not interested.

[nanoscale]

Originally Posted by superseiyan

Mark Warner is a legit nice guy but he has zero charisma and his politics are mindumbingly 'safe', so he's DOA.

O'Malley is Deanesque and potentially a Democratic version of Christie in temperement. Cuomo is probably a better mix of establishment support and grassroots cred, but both will be in the mix along with a surprise name.

i agree with you re: mindnumbingly 'safe' but I was in iowa 2008, and you wouldn't believe how many were disappointed he didn't throw his hat in after all of the early noises. That centrist-Dem-in-a-red state has a lot of appeal for early state Democrats. See a lot of Hillary references in the thread, but I'm guessing she won't run.

[Cruzincat]

Against an incumbent Republican, he wouldn't have much chance.

[ay jayy]

Originally Posted by Cruzincat

Against an incumbent Republican, he wouldn't have much chance.

LOL, an incumbant republican would mean Romney or Santorum....I think he'd have a chance.