O'Malley going to bat for the DLC.

[Skwmom]

Last edited Tue Jan 12, 2016, 08:25 PM - Edit history (3)

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 sizeable 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

[ViseGrip]

1. And that is where he should end up....finished.

[FSogol]

2. This nonsense again? Read the letter, they are saying not to ignore any vote.

[daleanime]

3. And to do that....

they want to ignore the progressive vote.

[FSogol]

5. Nonsense. n/t

[daleanime]

12. How so?

[FSogol]

14. Nowhere in that letter does it say to ignore the progressive votes.

Look at O'Malley's record. (elleng posted in below in this thread).

O'Malley's actual accomplishments cannot be described as anything except progressive.

[daleanime]

22. If the majority of democratic voters vote progressively....

and you 'ignore' that to go in search other voters what else can you call it?

[1StrongBlackMan]

15. Funny ...

courting the "center" vote, i.e., the DLC, is bad because it is ignoring the progressive vote; but, courting trump voters is fine ... even as it ignores ... NO, offends ... the Black, the woman, the LGBT, the Muslim-American, and the Latino votes.

Funny, that!

[FSogol]

19. What is amazing is how much time is spend on bashing the progressive candidate with 5% of the vote.

Maybe they know something is happening in Iowa?
Guess despite all their web-based bravado, they are scared?

[elleng]

24. Yes, I mentioned that earlier, FSogol, someones are

'Scared???'

QUITE amazing, or just a bunch of bored DUers, with not enough to do?

[1StrongBlackMan]

26. I wouldn't say, "scared"; but ...

perhaps, "getting ahead of something one sees ahead."

(I hate the "they're doing X, so they must be scared/worried/bugging the F out" meme.)

[FSogol]

28. Okay, how about "worried?"

[1StrongBlackMan]

32. Nah ...

let's just go with, "doing what a mildly competent campaign should do when the suspect they see something ahead" ... it has nothing to do with, even, being concerned.

[FSogol]

33. He-he. n/t

[NCTraveler]

52. This. Nt

[JustAnotherGen]

54. That's a good point 1strong

So I'm supposed to respect people who think courting people like Trump supporters is a good thing?

Even if it alienate large blocks in the Party?

And they really believe those hateful scum buckets will vote for anyone but Trump?

Trumps thing isn't economic equality. It's inflicting pain and death on the others.

[Skwmom]

7. I researched O'Malley when people asked who would be your second choice.

I stand by my post.

A couple of things I found - there was more

Nonetheless, Mr. O’Malley has been stepping up his game, specifically by striking a deal with a tech company that benefited from a sizeable 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.

[FSogol]

11. LOL, so now promoting organic food is in an agriculture state is bad?

Any more Hogan propaganda you need to spread? O'Malley was never a memeber of the DLC. Get your facts straight and save the smears and fraudulent innuendos for the GOP.

[Skwmom]

23. It was a great deal for his contributor at the expense of the taxpayers.

2.8 million in TAXPAYER FUNDS to purchase property than lease 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 to add to his "presidential" aspirations list.

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


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

[senz]

4. I like O'Malley and most of his supporters

but have heard some, who seem to know more about him than I, say the same thing. It's been vaguely troubling in the back of my mind when I think of his candidacy. I kinda hope it's not true.

[elleng]

9. It's true baloney, senz.

See my post.

[cascadiance]

17. I also hope it's not true too... I like more progressives in the mix out there...

I'm willing to give O'Malley the benefit of the doubt to some extent, but if there is more out there that backs up these concerns as being more substantive than we'd like, then perhaps that is something that Iowa caucus supporters of O'Malley could be shown to help them go towards Bernie when asked to join delegate groups to support their concerns. Because I do believe that even if O'Malley may have some DLC baggage that he might not want exposed, that most of his supporters are real progressives and will want the nominee ultimately to be progressive as well.

[in_cog_ni_to]

6. And co-wrote it with Harold Ford Jr.? The same Harold Ford Jr. who repeatedly called Bernie an

"Avowed Socialist", an "Avowed Socialist", an"Avowed Socialist", an"Avowed Socialist"...once wasn't enough to LIE, so he had to repeat it 4 times on Morning Joe the other day. Bernie is a Democratic Socialist and ALL of his supporters know it. Harold Ford us a little Ahole. Sad to see Martin supports the Third Way.

PEACE
LOVE
BERNIE

[elleng]

8. OLD and B.S!

Desperate? Scared of a true progressive?

"O'Malley said he was recruited to join the DLC soon after he was elected mayor three years ago. He said that although he enjoys debating strategy with the organization, he doesn't subscribe to all the positions of its leadership," the Sun article says.

"He said he made clear his differences in discussions that included leaders such as Sens. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut and Evan Bayh of Indiana and focused on what the council calls the 'battle over the soul of the Democratic Party.'"

His record in Maryland:

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 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


His PLANS:

15 Goals to Rebuild the American Dream
https://martinomalley.com/category/15-goals/

Addiction treatment and prevention
https://martinomalley.com/policy/addiction-treatment-and-prevention/

Criminal Justice Reform
https://martinomalley.com/policy/criminal-justice/

Making College Debt Free for all Americans
https://martinomalley.com/policy/make-college-debt-free/

Holding Wall Street Accountable
https://14d2r744okfe40r1ug1oqm6y-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/OMalley-Wall-Street-Reform.pdf

Expanding Social Security
https://martinomalley.com/the-latest/expanding-social-security/

Homeland Security
https://martinomalley.com/vision/homeland-security/

Immigration
https://martinomalley.com/the-latest/immigration/

National Service
https://martinomalley.com/national-service/

Environment
https://martinomalley.com/climate/iowa/
https://martinomalley.com/climate/
https://martinomalley.com/climate/agenda/

Foreign Policy
https://martinomalley.com/policy/truman-national-security/

Gun Reform
https://martinomalley.com/policy/preventing-and-reducing-gun-violence/

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

Campaign Finance Reform (Restoring our American Democracy)
https://martinomalley.com/the-latest/restoring-our-american-democracy/

Why We Need a Constitutional Amendment to Secure the Right to Vote:
https://martinomalley.com/the-latest/news/right-to-vote/

Veterans and Military Families
https://martinomalley.com/policy/veterans/

[Skwmom]

13. From what I read he viewed MD as a stepping stone. Great legislation if your goal is to

run for the President as a Democrat.

On Key issues like trade all we have to look at is rhetoric and when you combine that with other dealings he was involved with as governor, I'll take a pass on that kind of "progressive."

Anyone that supports nuclear power isn't what I would consider a great environmentalist.

[FSogol]

16. Clueless.

[1StrongBlackMan]

29. LOL ...

From what I read he viewed MD as a stepping stone. Great legislation if your goal is to run for the President as a Democrat.

Wait ... What? ...

[FSogol]

31. Raising taxes on the rich and ending the death penalty was all part of his evil ambitious plan....

Or it could just be the Maryland State term limits on the Governor.

[1StrongBlackMan]

37. Hmmm ...

perhaps, another candidate should have used their many, many years in accomplishing such an evilly ambitious plan.

[FSogol]

39. They're too pure....

[1StrongBlackMan]

41. Ahhh! ...

"I would'a got so much done ... in the job I had; but, I didn't want people to think all the good I did, was because I was going to just use it as a stepping stone!"

[JustAnotherGen]

62. Who knew!

But hey! Let's mosey on back to the good old days on the 1930's instead of supporting Democratic party members in the present!

This thread - I just . . . I just - I can't.

[JustAnotherGen]

55. On point! Bravo!

[DisgustipatedinCA]

10. I feel about O'Malley similar to the way I feel about Joe Biden.

I like them both personally, but I don't want either to be President.

[cascadiance]

20. Yeah, I think Biden is a decent person for the most part, except for the bankruptcy bill...

... which showed that he as a senator could be bought by big money interests in some instances to do their bidding. We need someone that can stand up to these interests in a stronger fashion than Biden didn't do then when he lead that bill in to getting passed that has screwed so many people in the interest of "Delaware corporations"...

[Skwmom]

27. I think Biden is a step above O'Malley. n/t

[cascadiance]

30. There's a reason why Biden lost the nomination in 2008...

And a lot had VERY MUCH to do with his bankruptcy bill crap then. I don't forget, and many other progressives don't either.

O'Malley I don't see as much evidence that he's sold us out in the past in real legislative moves, other than the notes here about playing the "centrist" talking points game for the DLC. If I do, I'll look at that more closely.

[Skwmom]

47. His actions while GOV demonstrate how he plays the political game and his 148k consulting fee

from someone he had previously awarded a no bid contract reeks.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

35. I agree with you re the bankruptcy bill and the interest of Delaware corporations

But to borrow a really dumb meme from the Bush years, Joe Biden is someone I'd like to have a beer with. He seems like a really personable and friendly guy. I wish the Vice President a long, healthy, and enjoyable retirement.

[cascadiance]

36. I think there are probably a lot of "nice" Democrats in Washington like Biden...

... who are probably decent people to hang out with, but who aren't strong enough in their convictions/will to fight the corrupt money driven system we have today. Those aren't the people we need as leaders in a position like president. We need someone to stand up against that huge monolith of corporate corruption to take it down. Not too many of them out there, but some like Bernie Sanders are willing to do it, and those are the people I want leading this country to push us in the right direction. Perhaps the good news is that once that leadership is in place, and we have moves being made to do things like put in a responsible DOJ that would be willing to arrest Wall Street Crooks instead of giving them small fines they can write off, or put in SCOTUS judges that will work to take down corporate personhood, etc. then Biden and other Dems that aren't stand enough to stand up to this crap themselves can be counted on more to side with those that want strong reform and help us get out of the messes we are in. There will always be some that are corporate corrupted to the core that need to be pushed out of the political system, but perhaps many can be lead to better ways later. One can always hope that good will win out in the end.

[artislife]

63. I am with you on that.

I love to watch him on the talk shows.

I went to an Obama rally in Tacoma back in 2008, that had no Obama. But they had Joe and all the WA dems. We was a little touchy feely with Patty Murray, but he just seemed like a great guy. He smiles and everyone wants to smile and joke with him.

I am glad he was VP to Obama.

[Ferd Berfel]

18. DLC is not centrist - IT's the Right wing of the democratic party

merging with the left wing (LOL) of the republican party

you cannot be in bed with transnational corporations and Wall street and claim to be liberal or progressive.

[cascadiance]

21. I'm sure that "centrist" is the term that the Koch brothers threw out to describe the DLC early on..

... when they helped create the monster in the Democratic Party in its early days. It's all about propaganda ('er "marketing&quot !

[Ferd Berfel]

25. yep

Defending the DLC IS defending the Koch agenda.

[elleng]

34. For everyone's information:

'The Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) was a non-profit 501(c)(4) corporation[1] founded in 1985 that, upon its formation, argued the United States Democratic Party should shift away from the leftward turn it took in the late 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The DLC hailed President Bill Clinton as proof of the viability of Third Way politicians and as a DLC success story. . .

The 2008 Democratic Primary pitted New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, a prominent DLC member, against Illinois Senator Barack Obama, who had previously stated that his positions on NAFTA, the Iraq War and universal health care made him "an unlikely candidate for membership in the DLC."[30] However, President Obama has since surrounded himself with DLC members, appointing Clinton herself as Secretary of State and another, (Tim Kaine), as chairman of the Democratic National Committee. In May 2009, President Obama reportedly declared to the House New Democrat Coalition, the congressional arm of the DLC, "I am a New Democrat."[23] President Obama has also called himself a progressive, in addition to being endorsed by Howard Dean's progressive political action committee Democracy for America.'

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Leadership_Council

[Ferd Berfel]

42. Funding by Koch

Last edited Tue Jan 12, 2016, 06:25 PM - Edit history (1)

An August, 2000 Newsweek story on Joe Liebermn, The Soul And The Steel[1] reveals that some of the early funding came from ARCO, Chevron, Merck, Du Pont, Microsoft, Philip Morris and Koch Industries:


http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Democratic_Leadership_Council

I want my Party Back.

WE Need another FDR, we will not survive another Corporatist.


one last thing -


Father Of Koch Brothers Helped Build Nazi Oil Refinery, Book Says
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/us/politics/father-of-koch-brothers-helped-build-nazi-oil-refinery-book-says.html

[JustAnotherGen]

56. This new FDR

Will he continue the old FDRs housing policies? 


http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/05/the-racist-housing-policy-that-made-your-neighborhood/371439/

One of the most heinous of these policies was introduced by the creation of the Federal Housing Administration in 1934, and lasted until 1968. Otherwise celebrated for making homeownership accessible to white people by guaranteeing their loans, the FHA explicitly refused to back loans to black people or even other people who lived near black people. As TNC puts it, "Redlining destroyed the possibility of investment wherever black people lived."

To understand the depth of the racism of these regulations, you have to read the descriptions of the grades that FHA gave to neighborhoods from A (green) to D (red). I've included them all at the end of this post, but here is the "C" classification (emphasis added), which is where my Oakland neighborhood fell (keep in mind restrictions as used here, means clauses, written into the title, not to sell to non-whites).  

Thanks in advance.  It means a great deal to me as I don't want to be forced out of my home because we are going back that nonsense.  I also don't want to see my home value decreased or that of my neighbors.  I'm the only black person on my street.

My husband has put a lot of sweat into restoring our historic home - we've both put money . . . And I don't think it should be given to some undeserving person just because they are white.

[Ferd Berfel]

65. I"ll take Bernie at his word long before I'll trust another Corporatist

[JustAnotherGen]

66. I don't trust politicians - I trust myself

[one_voice]

38. Oh yay..

off the cliff with O'Malley.

[MeNMyVolt]

40. What is the purpose of this OP?

Don't you have some Trump voters to go after? MOM is not the enemy.

[elleng]

43. Thanks, Volt.

[one_voice]

45. Apparently he is...

He's a good Democrat and a damn good candidate.

[JustAnotherGen]

58. N/S

[JustAnotherGen]

57. Thank you n/t

[restorefreedom]

44. this does not seem to fit any of his current positions

i don't get the impression he is all that enthused with the dlc/dnc, even if they had a good relationship at one time.

they basically threw him under the bus in attempt to protect their weak frontrunner, mean while, he has been critical of both other candidates and espousing pretty progressive positions.

i don't see him as centrist, but rather left of center in nearly every way.

i would like more info on these business ventures in MD which i know nothing about....will have to read up

[Skwmom]

49. The taxpayer funding of business ventures is not capitalism - it is corporate welfare. n/t

[restorefreedom]

53. certainly it is, the way we prop up big ag and wall st.

definitely not part of the progressive playbook

[libdem4life]

46. I think he is doing what is politically expedient and who can blame him. I'm sure his loyalty

will get him a plum position, if not in a Sanders Cabinet, in the DLC...as it should. He's been a loyal Democrat, hung in there with abysmally low numbers, but determined just the same. I like him and think he would do a fine job for the DLC.

[JustAnotherGen]

59. Umm - the DLC no longer exists

I know! He can get a job in Trump's cabinet since he's just like him - right?

[libdem4life]

60. Well, no one told the poster...that I read. But I don't think I'd go so far as to saddle him with

Trump. He is quite intelligent...so...probably not.

I'll remember that, though. Is it now the DNC? Really, I don't know.

[JustAnotherGen]

61. Two separate organizations

And Trump as the village idiot will need to surround himself with smart people. At least until he strokes out, has a bad reaction to the Botox, gets killed for sleeping with Putin's wife . . .

[libdem4life]

64. ah...will do some research...have to be a good Democrat and all. And Trump....pfffft.

[MisterP]

48. that sounds like Dean's position: liberish but has to talk trash against anything other than

approved politics or he'll be out on his arse: the DNC rules by being the only game in town and demobilizing anyone who's a threat to the pay-for-play system "that we need to win"; they're as delusional as George Lucas or Al Jean

you can really see these types bridling at they compromises they've made to get power, especially a frontrunner like Dean; many of them revert once they're out of chances at getting power--Biden's trashing Clinton and even Blairite Obama will have a lot of sharp words for the farcical TPP votes he was making a few months before or for his kingmaker Rahm

and the cultists will tear Obama apart, just as they did for Clinton in '08

[Peacetrain]

50. Oh for the love of Mike..

[99Forever]

51. With O'Malley's major DOUBLE...

... fuckup in Ohio, it told me beyond any doubt, this guy isn't ready for prime time. Sorry.

[Betty Karlson]

67. Not his greatest moment.

But even so: it manifests that he'd do a better job at the DNC chair than the current biased heck. Because practically anyone would.