31 years age, I met and spent a few days with a young organizer for the Gary Hart for President Campaign in Davenport, Iowa. Martin O'Malley was contagiously positive despite the fact that Hart barely registered in the polls and the campaign rarely could provide even pennies for gas or meal money to voluntarily impoverished young organizers. I was looking for a cause greater than myself as a recent college grad and it was the example of fellow, sometimes starry-eyed idealists like Martin that sustained me through a long roller coaster campaign.
Yesterday, I watched Martin announce his candidacy on Federal Hill on a sunny day in Baltimore.
In between, Martin O'Malley has accomplished more for his city and his state than a bus full of fellow ex-governors or many ex-US Senators. Martin O'Malley led a state version of the dream act which changed thousands of lives for young dreamers in Maryland. Martin O'Malley led the fight for marriage equality before it was cool. Martin O'Malley led one of the toughest urban centers in the country, improved schools and reduced crime. Martin O'Malley led efforts to end marijuana prohibition.
Those are just the headlines and the most enduring accomplishments. Martin led a state with a bi-partisan legacy of corruption through two terms of spotless integrity. Along the way he always had a sense of humor and his eyes firmly fixed on a just and color-blind society. Under his tenure in Annapolis, by many metrics Maryland schools ranked number one in the nation. There are real accomplishments and examples of executive leadership.
In the future? Who knows, but Martin will dive feat first into the campaign. His enjoyment of the campaign trail reminds me of Hubert Humphrey and Harry Truman. Nobody should underestimate him. Sure, nobody outside of Maryland has ever heard of O'Malley but of all off the many political problems one may have, lack of name recognition is the easiest to remedy for a hard-worker with a timely message. Martin O'Malley will be out-fundraised, but he won't be out-campaigned. He will take risks.
I'm proud to support him. Yesterday, I started the process for a Meetup group for Washington DC O'Malley supporters and those just interested in finding out more about him. The grassroots and the candidate himself will drive this campaign. He won't have the money to poll test and focus-group every decision. As a progressive with a record, Martin O'Malley has earned fair consideration from all voters and disenchanted voters.