Is Martin O’Malley The Candidate Religious Progressives Have Been Waiting For?
'When asked in December 2015 to describe his approach to politics, former Maryland governor and Democratic presidential candidate Martin OMalley could have repeated the same slew of archetypes commonly heard from those seeking the White House. He could have framed his campaign as that of a political outsider, for instance, or championed his desire to get stuff done, or even trumpeted himself as a harbinger of hope and change.
Instead, the two-term governor appealed to something increasingly uncommon among Democratic candidates: his faith.
The politics of higher purpose thats whats always drawn me to public service, he told the Nation. I believe that the power of politics isnt money. Its the beliefs that unite us, when they are actually tapped when a leader is willing to make him- or herself vulnerable for the sake of those values.
Granted, OMalley didnt specifically tie this higher purpose to his Catholic beliefs (the interviewer did that for him), but he didnt have to. Of the three Democratic candidates vying for the presidency, OMalley who attends mass regularly while on the campaign trail is arguably the most explicit about his religious beliefs, often invoking his faith while discussing his policy positions.
This firm embrace of the spiritual is arguably seen as a detriment to an increasingly secular Democratic electorate, whose ranks are rapidly being filled by nonreligious voters often wary of politicians who make explicit appeals to faith. It certainly doesnt appear to be doing OMalley any favors this campaign season: He still trails far behind rivals Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in Real Clear Politics poll averages, barely making a blip at 2.1 percent nationally compared to Sanders 37.2 percent and Clintons 52.1 percent.
OMalleys apparent invisibility stands in stark contrast to the man he is most often associated with Pope Francis, the wildly popular pontiff who is second only to Barack Obama as the most admired man in the world (tied, inexplicably, with Donald Trump). Unlike OMalley, Francis has garnered widespread approval among left-leaning Americans, largely for his more liberal approach to religion.
But when you get down to it, OMalley is actually far, far more liberal than Francis on several issues. This makes the progressive tendency to ignore him interesting, and the contours of his faith which he argues compels him to endorse left-leaning policies worth exploring.
OMalley often jokes about growing up in a mid-size Irish Catholic family of only six children, quipping, People at Our Lady of Lourdes thought we were Lutheran spies. Mid-sized or not, his parents reportedly raised him with an abiding respect for the Christian faith, especially Catholicisms historic and in many ways progressive social-justice teaching.
My father taught me that the only thing that lasts in this world is being good to other people, he told Esquire. . .
Theres no progress without adversity, for a people or a person, OMalley said in December during his interview with the Nation. Even for all of the service Ive offered, and all of the good things weve done in both Baltimore and the state of Maryland, none of us as white people can ever fully appreciate the constant sense of vulnerability that our black neighbors live with in our country. Im on a constant learning curve. Im always trying to get better, to deepen my own personal understanding so I can be of greater service.
Time will tell whether voters will give OMalley the chance to be of greater service while serving from the Oval Office, or if he will have to continue his politics of higher purpose somewhere else.'
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/01/29/3744243/martin-omalley-pope-francis-catholic/
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femmocrat
(28,394 posts)Great article! Thanks, elleng.
nxylas
(6,440 posts)This is the first time I've heard it mentioned. It seems to be a subtle attempt to frighten the fundigelicals with "Democrats are all godless communists" red-baiting, by showing that even a progressive Catholic can't get a fair hearing. Yes, I know that Democrats are less religious overall than Republicans, but that's a loooong way from "Democrats will only nominate an atheist, oh and they want to ban Christmas, booga booga".
elleng
(130,865 posts)it's rarely mentioned.
I don't see this as an attempt to frighten anyone, but an effort to enlighten about his character, which I appreciate, and shouldn't frighten anyone.
nxylas
(6,440 posts)The article is from Think Progress, a site that conservative Christians are unlikely to read anyway. I have always been deeply suspicious of the M$M, but one positive effect of their dumbing down is that they have pretty much lost the ability to do subtle propaganda of the kind that Noam Chomsky and Edward Herman warned us about in the past, though one still needs to examine some of their word choices (eg white "shooters" vs brown "terrorists" and black "gangsters" .
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)I'm too old to keep putting up with candidates who have a Bible where their Constitution should be.
elleng
(130,865 posts)Sorry, its too bad.
to take bold action to slow the effects of global climate change
to welcome immigrants. He has expressed support for the U.S. Catholic Churchs push for comprehensive immigration reform
abolishing the death penalty nationally, and partnered with a number of faith coalitions to enact some of the strongest gun safety laws in the nation
the only thing that lasts in this world is being good to other people,
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)because you don't want to.
He speaks endlessly of himself, his religion, his family, his debts, his music. Himself. Never does his language reach out, never does it inquire.
Every word he says makes me feel like he does not want my vote. His numbers indicate that I am not the only one who feels left out of his message.
FSogol
(45,476 posts)Blind hatred is an ugly thing.
elleng
(130,865 posts)Martin O'Malley:
1. Ended death penalty in Maryland
2. Prevented fracking in Maryland and put regulations in the way to prevent next GOP Gov Hogan fom easily allowing fracking.
3. Provided health insurance for 380,000
4. Reduced infant mortality to an all time low.
5. Provided meals to thousands of hungry children and moved toward a goal for eradicating childhood hunger.
6. Enacted a $10.10 living wage and a $11. minimum wage for State workers.
7. Supporter the Dream Act
8. Cut income taxes for 86% of Marylanders (raised taxes on the rich).
9. Reformed Marylands tax code to make it more progressive.
10. Enacted some of the nations most comprehensive reforms to protect homeowners from foreclosure.
Mother Jones magazine called him the best candidate on environmental issues.
Article here:
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/12/martin-omalley-longshot-presidential-candidate-and-real-climate-hawk