O'Malley - Just Another Corporate DLC Politician engaging in Crony Capitalism

[Skwmom]

As John Stewart said - Be diligent.

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, who has tried to seize the progressive mantle in his White House bid, wrote an op-ed he eight years ago where he argued that the center - not the left - should be the Democratic Party's focus.

The 2007 Washington Post op-ed he co-authored with former Congressman Harold Ford Jr., then the chairman of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council was entitled "Our Chance to Capture the Center."

The two men wrote, "Some on the left would love to pretend that groups such as the Democratic Leadership Council, the party's leading centrist voice, aren't needed anymore. But for Democrats, taking the center for granted next year would be a greater mistake than ever before."

http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/omalley-running-left-2007-he-urged-center-n369721

Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice.....

The DLC is the corporate wing of the Democratic Party - though they have tried to disavow the label.

NOTE: Just a couple of things I learned about O'Malley:

Nonetheless, Mr. O’Malley has been stepping up his game, specifically by striking a deal with a tech company that benefited from a sizable no-bid state contract when he was governor — and which then paid him nearly $148,000 for speeches and consulting in the months after he left office in January.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/mr-omalleys-money/2015/07/23/b3c87aea-30b1-11e5-8f36-18d1d501920d_story.html

The O'Malley administration today pulled back from a sweetheart deal to buy $2.8 million in Eastern Shore farmland and hand it over for $1 a year to a Democratic campaign donor who wanted to use it as an "organic food hub" for the region. After questions from Comptroller Peter Franchot and an article in The Sun, the administration abruptly dropped the second two elements of the plan and instead pushed through the purchase with a promise to conduct requests for proposals for the rest. That's an improvement over the original idea, but it still represents seat-of-the-pants governing that is unlikely to produce the best results.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-omalley-land-deal-20141112-story.html

And there is the waterfront deal while the poor section of Baltimore looks like a third world country. I read he was groomed by Bill Clinton. Amazing how a businessman can get the TAXPAYERS to FUND a project, limiting his risk while reaping the rewards. What in the h*ll kind of capitalism is that? And the no bid contracts - crony corrupt capitalism at its finest.

A DLC repackaged as a progressive. It's not like that hasn't happened before.

NOTE: I'm all for organic farming. I'm against crony capitalism.

The organic farming deal involved:

2.8 million in TAXPAYER FUNDS to purchase property then lease it out for $1 a year.
Another half a million grant in taxpayer funds to build the food hub.
The campaign contributor was an organic farmer that would sell their produce at the hub.

So again he is using TAXPAYER money to fund a business venture for someone. What in the h*ll kind of capitalism is that? But hey, it would be another accomplishment he could add to his list for his future presidential run. Plus, this kind of crap sends a loud and clear message about how an elected official will do "business."

Now, anytime I hear a politician tout a benefit for the people (as in organic farming) I wonder who is feeding at the public trough.


http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-bpw-land-deal-20141112-story.html

Am I surprised he attacked Clinton in the last debate? No. It helps the political image he wants to create.

Note: Only 5% of voters in his own state support his candidacy.

[FSogol]

1. How many times are you going to post this nonsense? O'Malley ended the death penalty and

raised taxes on the rich in his state. He never joined the DLC or the 3rd way despite being asked. You cannot find a moderate or RW position in his accomplishments or policies. Knock off your crappy attacks on him and stop your disgusting smears.

[Skwmom]

2. It's the truth. For a guy planning to run for Pres his Maryland laundry list makes sense.

And his stance on TPP and other major issues cannot be proven (isn't that convenient). However, the fact that he is willing to engage in crony capitalism speaks volumes.

Do I think the corporate candidates were going to put all their eggs in one basket? No.

He only gets 5% in his own state.

[FSogol]

3. Total BS. Straight from Larry Hogan, Michael Steele, & Bob Ehrlich's mouths to DU

The MD State GOP is most certainly cheering you on.

[Skwmom]

4. Facts are facts. n/t

[FSogol]

5. Your screed lacks facts. That project was never finalized, Bill Clinton was not his mentor, Jon

Stewart wasn't talking about O'Malley and all of your other implications are false too. You are even being misleading about his get-out-the vote op-ed with Harold Ford. Your whole screed is nothing but RW manure.

[Skwmom]

7. The project was never finalized after O'Malley was called out for the crony capitalism. n/t

[FSogol]

9. What do you call someone who does nothing but attack Democrats using RW innuendo and misleading

smears?

[Skwmom]

25. Exposing facts is RW?

[Recursion]

14. He states his position on trade agreements

https://martinomalley.com/policy/trade-policy/

He wants to replace ISDS provisions with an industry-funded "trade insurance" regime. Which is a really cool idea.

[bigtree]

18. well said

"You cannot find a moderate or RW position in his accomplishments or policies"

Now enough kicking this flamebait.

[GoneFishin]

6. I find it completely plausible that he is running interference for the corporatists.

[FSogol]

8. Running his State with a whole slew of progressive accomplishments was just to help corporations

and other candidates in the future?

[Skwmom]

21. He was planning on running for Pres so of course he needed to check some boxes.

However, his actions show that he is willing to play the Washington DC game - no bid contracts then gets 148k in consulting fees, engage in crony capitalism, the baseless arrests to get the crime statistic he wanted, etc.

Is he the first "progressive" to play this game? No, and he won't be the last.

There are critical issues, TPP, etc. for which there is no specific history and what history that there is supporters that Martin O'Malley is just another phony politician.

[beam me up scottie]

10. Why punch down?

I like O'Malley and the majority of his supporters, is this really necessary? What's the point when he's not fighting dirty like Hillary?

[FSogol]

11. I never understand why it is necessary to attack any Democratic candidate? Is it so hard to promote

Last edited Wed Jan 20, 2016, 09:34 PM - Edit history (1)

one's candidate without demonizing the other people in our party? All attacks like that show me is that people have little faith in their candidate. Of course, they could just be disrupters or Repubs.

[beam me up scottie]

12. It's primary season on DU.

Bernie's my guy for obvious reasons and I'm not going to shy away from criticizing Hillary's record but I don't hate the woman.

[Skwmom]

13. He's attacked Bernie before but it's not about that. It's about not electing another DLC

candidate.

[FSogol]

15. Ridiculous nonsense. Count the times Sanders said, "I agree with the Governor" in the last 2 debates

[DemocratSinceBirth]

16. Why pick on O'Malley? He isn't a threat to anybody !

DSB

[FSogol]

19. Nice insult. He's a threat to the GOP. His plans and ideas will become the nucleus

of the Democratic Party Platform. Just watch.

[Skwmom]

24. They are facts. Plus, I think the DLC has more than one backup plan.

After reading up about O'Malley - and no what I listed is not everything I read - I think he is a phony.

[bigtree]

17. ignorant

...of his actual record.

This hit piece is a good sign. He must be threatening someone's political space.

[Skwmom]

20. It is not a hit piece. There is more than this.

O'Malley has shown he's okay with crony capitalism. He just hasn't worked up to the big leagues yet.

[Jim Lane]

22. Thread title told me immediately it would be yet another recycling of one 2007 op-ed

This "O'Malley DLC" stuff reminds me of the Republicans who think ACORN stole the 2012 election for Obama.

[Skwmom]

23. Reaching much? n/t

[Nite Owl]

26. Maybe when he did that

the center was the center instead of the right. The center has moved. Even the 'left' isn't outlandishly left, just what the democratic beliefs always were.