O'Malley has little support in Md. for a presidential run

[alp227]

As Gov. Martin O'Malley seeks to build support for a potential presidential campaign, a new poll conducted for The Baltimore Sun shows enthusiasm among voters in his home state is conspicuously low — and might be slipping.

Despite high-profile victories in Annapolis and a growing national buzz about his future, nearly six in 10 Maryland voters said they would not back the governor if he decides to seek the Democratic nomination for president in 2016, while 14 percent said they would.

The lackluster showing for O'Malley in a state where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by better than a 2-1 margin is likely a reflection of the broader political dynamic the governor has wrestled with for years. Everyone — even those who might otherwise support O'Malley — is waiting for Hillary Clinton.

"I don't dislike him or anything like that; I just don't think he's presidential," said Elizabeth Rye, a 79-year-old Democrat from Bel Air. "If Hillary doesn't run, then that would be a different story. I'd have to see who else is running."

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-sun-poll-omalley-20141012,0,2741136.story

[yeoman6987]

1. Being from Maryland,

A lot of voters don't like the casinos in Maryland that Governor O'Malley put all over the state. Many say that as President, he will put one on every street corner in America. That is why he does not have a ton of support from the state.

[elleng]

3. I don't like casinos,

but neither have I heard anything like 'he will put one on every street corner in America.'

[yeoman6987]

4. I live in Arnold, Maryland and hear it all the time. I imagine they are being sarcastic.

But they do believe he will put them in all 50 states.

[KinMd]

2. Would make a good VP candidate

[monmouth3]

5. I was on my local trolley one day and had the pleasure to speak to some Marylanders visiting Florida

I enthusiastically asked about him and received negative feedback. Of course, these folks could have been repubs but I don't think so. Their gripe with him was that he does nothing for Senior citizens. I was surprised to hear this and felt badly I couldn't dig into the conversation more.

[LiberalEsto]

6. As a Marylander, I find him a bit dull

He's not particularly good at promoting himself. He's been a data-driven wonk since his days in Baltimore.

And yes, I am not happy about the casinos or the health exchange debacle a year ago.

[Nancy Waterman]

7. No charisma at all

That is a big deal in such a media-centric age. Mostly, I find his policies OK, but he has no appeal for a national office.

[DFW]

8. "If Hillary doesn't run, then that would be a different story."

O'Malley has let slip comments to that effect himself over the past few years.

I think he's reluctant to challenge Hillary, but would jump in if she bows out. And there's always the VP slot if she doesn't.

[BobbyBoring]

9. I didn't want him to be my Gov.

POTUS is out of the question. IMHO, he's done more harm than good to MD.

[Xyzse]

10. I like him, and I'm from Maryland.

Still, I'd like to see who is running.

[rtracey]

11. Not enough national exposure

O'Malley needs to serve in the Senate for a few years. Get the national exposure, oh lets say specifically like a young junior Senator from Ill. did a few years back. I think O'Malley will fit in the Barbara Mikulski Senate seat just fine....Get up, whip up a few Senate speeches, come out against all the right things is bad, (like an Alan Grayson of the Senate)...

[TeamPooka]

12. More Governors than Senators have become President in our history. it is a better prep job for

executive office than Senator.
The only people who think most senators should become President are Senators.

[rtracey]

13. That may be true

That may be true, but in O'Malleys case, he needs national exposure in order to win voters. Many don't know who he is. He is in his last term as governor and will need to be on the national stage for a run in 2020 or so..... I think he needs to serve as Senator of MD for a term or two....

[TeamPooka]

14. Sometimes politicians find themselves in a situation where you either have to run for President or

give it up and find honest work.
I think O'Malley is in that position.

[rtracey]

15. hmmmm

I'm not sure, I actually can see him taking over for Barbara Mikulski.....someday