Incidentally, I really wish those who invade this protected group with Maryland republican talking points would post their criticisms elsewhere. The long refuted nonsense about the rain tax is just one example. This is happening all over the DU -- invasion of protected groups by ill-informed naysayers.
I am well-informed about O'Malley's strengths and weaknesses, and IMO he still leads the pack when it comes to character and accomplishments.
I think the biggest mistake he made was getting into the race too late, before Sanders had the opportunity to suck up all the oxygen.
I also think that there is a lot of anger out there, as there was with Occupy Wall Street; and Sanders knows how to appeal to that.
O'Malley is rational, practical, and optimistic. As an executive, he knows how difficult it is to get things done. He also knows that whatever an executive does, some will approve and some will disapprove. That goes with executive responsibility. It is easy to talk; it is hard to get things done. And there will always be those who hate you for what you do, no matter how noble the same action appears to others.
Many progressives don't want just a decent or "good man" right now. They want someone to lead a pitchfork expedition. They want to get rid of the "bad guy billionaires" who are ruining this country. Unfortunately, no president of the United States can do this alone or right away. That president would need the help of a progressive democratic Congress he helped get elected.
In the eyes of many, O'Malley just doesn't get angry enough at the rich. He gets angry; and he has spoken out many times about injustice and inequality and inhumanity. But his anger is not up to the anger of the very angry crowd. For this I respect him. I do not think that anger and hatred and divisiveness are the answers to our problems.
After all that anger runs its course, the country may be ready for a progressive with executive experience who knows how to get things done. Until then, anger and impatience will dominate the political atmosphere.
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