Anyone think O'Malley could be the big winner after the debate?

[oberliner]

Something tells me that his candidacy could get a boost from finally being on the big stage.

The people who are looking towards folks like Joe Biden as a potential alternative to Clinton or Sanders may find what they are looking for in Martin O'Malley.

I can imagine a scenario where he gets some positive attention and a bump in the polls and it becomes a three-person race between him, Bernie, and Hillary - with Joe declining to run.

What do other think?

[virtualobserver]

1. I think that he will get a significant boost

It could be devastating for Hillary.

[FloridaBlues]

15. No Hillary will do just fine but I think O'Malley will try the hardest and have the loudest bark

[virtualobserver]

16. Hillary can only lose votes

[elleng]

2. Yes, I think that will happen IF

(big IF) media is honest. I don't expect much from MSM, but as I often read local media about O'Malley's appearances around the states, they do a pretty good job, so if they cover the debate as they've covered his day to day work in IA and NH, at least, things should improve.

Here's an example: O'Malley criticizes trade deal in Iowa stop.

“I was against the Trans-Pacific Partnership 8 months ago."

NEWTON — Martin O’Malley does not think much of the multi-nation trade deal announced this week.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12813656

[Hortensis]

18. The media want to grab viewer attention, so I'm afraid they'll pass up

O'Malley (to some degree) to pump up Bernie. CNN isn't the only medium that wants to offer viewers a "really good shew," and the series is going to run for some while.

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Agreed.

It's his best shot. But I suspect he'll have to be aggressive, so he could potentially blow himself up.

[HereSince1628]

4. Maybe not the winner, but I think he'll get a bump

When I saw him at the Iowa Dem-palooza dinner, I thought he helped himself.

I also think going alphabetical helped both OM and Clinton and pretty much used Webb to wipe the floor.

[oberliner]

5. Going alphabetical?

Is that for the order of the opening remarks?

[HereSince1628]

9. that was how they did the speakers at the Iowa Dem Dinner...

I think it crushed Webb. He had nothing unique to say. I think it let OM speak before Sanders and much of what they said was the same.

I think the debates are usually decided by drawing lots

[oberliner]

11. That could be a huge boon for Lincoln Chafee

Perhaps he will climb above 0 percent in the polls.

[askew]

20. I hope the Jefferson-Jackson dinner is the same way.

The Wing Ding wasn't. They put Hillary and Sanders first and their supporters left before others spoke or were so disruptive no one could hear the other speakers. Horribly rude.

[magical thyme]

6. it's a serious chance for him to get in the competition for exactly the reasons you mentioned

people who agree with Bernie's message may be more comfortable with somebody who has a similar message but fits more with their "image" of what a President is supposed to look like.

I think the biggest difference between him and Bernie is his insistance that people don't vote for "anger." It will depend on how much and how deep people's anger is. And that's going to depend on how much the recovery has worked for them versus passed them by or effed them over royally.

I used to have a really good intuition about those things, but I fall into the last category so I am so overwhelmed by depression and anger that I desperately need a candidate who channels that anger for me and will use it to help people like me.

But I don't know how many others like me there are out there. I know they are there, but I don't know where the balance is. I suspect, given the traction Trump and Bernie have, that it is broad and deep. But I'm too filled with it myself to be able to sense how much is "me" versus "others."

[Sheepshank]

7. yes

he's nothing like Fiorina, but the analogy being, with the right presentation it only took one debate for her to get an incredible boost...same for O'Malley.

[AtomicKitten]

8. Don't know but it's his shot at relevancy in this election.

The MSM ignored Bernie for what seemed a long time. The price short of setting himself on fire for attention was trash-talking the frontrunner, and he declined.

[jfern]

10. Maybe he'd double his support

But that's only 1% -> 2%

[LynnTTT]

12. Should be a contender

Our Democratic Club is having a mock debate a week after the CNN debate. I will be speaking for O'Malley. My points:
- he's the only candidate who has actual "governing" experience (mayor of a large city and governor)
- he's young and very presentable (balance against Rubio)
-has actually balanced a budget (required by law of course)
- he's been against the TPP for months- didn't just get on board like Hillary
- pro-choice for years
- has been accused of being a little too tough on crime, resulting in the problems with Baltimore police. However, I believe that secretly, being tough on crime doesn't bother Democrats all that much!

Anyone with any suggestions for my brief 10 minute presentation?

[askew]

19. You should talk about his record on immigration.

He really shines there.

Also his repeal of death penalty, passing strict gun control laws, raising minimum wage, decriminalizing marijuana, restoring felons rights to vote, making it easier to vote in Maryland. Pushing through the largest windfarm on the east coast. Cleaning up the bay and making fracking regulations so tough that no company was willing to do business in Maryland.

[artislife]

28. Burlington is a major city for it's state

It isn't like a small town. Though it's numbers do not match Baltimore's, there is a host of issues besides putting in a new stop sign by the school.

Thanks, I just did a 20 minute search of the city and info. I definitely want to go there now.


Oh, I think Martin has a great chance tomorrow night. He can change the direction of his campaign--but who knows how the media will spin things afterwards.

Good luck with the debates, at least you have a very interesting candidate to portray.

[elleng]

30. A few more:

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 Maryland’s tax code to make it more progressive.
10. Enacted some of the nation’s 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

[workinclasszero]

13. He's bound to get some kind of boost

CNN can't just ignore everyone except Hillary and Bernie

[NCTraveler]

14. Two trains of thought.

1) He is by far the best out of them in a debate format and should win hands down.

2) He needs more than just a "win," he needs to pull a rabbit out of his hat. He is competent and smart enough to do it but it's a position no one wants to be in and mistakes can be made.

Go big or go home O'MG.

[askew]

22. I don't think he needs #2, but the media won't give him a win unless he can pull

off a surprise or manages to score an obvious point vs. Hillary.

Fiorina and Carson both boosted themselves by having solid debates without pulling a rabbit out of their hat. That's what O'Malley needs. Everyone already has an opinion on Hillary and this debate isn't going to win over new supporters for her. But, very few know who O'Malley is. If he is up there being optimistic and talking about his record of accomplishment, he is going to win people over.

[NCTraveler]

35. I really like him and I do think he is best for the job.

But he has been neck and neck with Chafee and Webb since entering. I think we will find out if his aspirations are for the presidency or VP slot tomorrow night. If it's the Presidency I think he will take a chance and go after Clinton multiple times. He has taken some shots recently.

[hifiguy]

17. I see no reason why he shouldn't do well to very well.

Like Sanders and unlike Clinton he's not afraid to give straight answers to even tough questions. Clinton just doubletalks nearly everything to death with platitudinous Turd Way nothingness manufactured in Goldman's basement.

[moondust]

21. Some gain.

I think his problem and that of others is trying to gain traction in a political system that corporate media have turned into a contest about big money, big name recognition, and sensational sound bites rather than substantive policy ideas. Exhibit A: TheRump on teevee 24/7.

[elleng]

26. I'm afraid you're right about that, moondust.

[MerryBlooms]

23. I think he'll do very well and finally get some traction nationally.

Many believe this is a Hillary-Sanders debate to win or lose, but honestly, I see O'Malley converting a lot of voters tomorrow night.

[demwing]

24. If Clinton takes a hard hit

It will either be self inflicted, or come from O'Malley.

[zappaman]

25. He's certainly more electable than Sanders.

[workinclasszero]

32. What you said

[lovemydog]

27. Not too sure, oberliner.

I think he will do very well and will get a boost. I also think Sanders will do very well and receive a boost too. But Hillary is a very skillful debater so she could receive the biggest jump of all. It's kind of like a sporting event. You never never know until it's played. I'll score it myself (I don't watch any of that punditry nonsense on tv). But the polls of course will determine who wins and who doesn't do as well. The real polls that matter are the actual primaries. Most of the pre-primary polls seems pretty unreliable. As many here have said though, I'm hoping the biggest winner is the democratic party. We need more democrats (and more liberal democrats) in all phases of government: state legislatures, governors, the House, the Senate, school boards etc.

[oberliner]

29. A lot depends on the post-debate spin

Often times, it just takes the pundits saying so-and-so did well for the public to follow suit.

[lovemydog]

34. Yeah, I was thinking that too.

But I still cannot stand watching or listening to them!

[ALBliberal]

31. He is very telegenic with good progressive ideas. I am really intrigued

With him. I started out Clinton but now I am solid Bernie. But I like O'Malley's persistence and fortitude. Who knows? Sanders/O'Malley?

[workinclasszero]

33. I'm still backing Hillary

But Mr OMalley is a democrat and there will be many posts to fill in her administration.

I'm looking foward to seeing him speak.

[retrowire]

36. no doubt

he will finally get the boost that I believe he deserves.

I'm dedicated to Bernie and I'm already informed on the top three candidates however, the debate will help O'Malley.

he's the youngest and most outspoken (other than Bernie) he's thirsty as well. I'm sure he'll have good energy on that stage.

good luck to him.