Tonight — An Introduction
The American people want a President who will lead, not just tell them what they want to hear, or what polls best. That’s why tonight offers a unique opportunity for Governor O’Malley to introduce himself to the American people.
The last several months of political coverage have been dominated by email scandals, by Donald Trump’s ruminations on everything from how immigrants are “rapists” and “murderers,” and by Republican claims that the only solution to gun violence is to get more guns on the street.
It’s a very good thing that Democrats are finally having their first debate — in primetime no less. What they will hear tonight — from Martin O’Malley — is a forceful case for both why America is not the small place Republicans make it out to be, and also how he is the only candidate on stage who offers a record of actions, and not just words.
This is a truly critical moment in our nation’s history. President Obama — a truly transformative President — saved us from a total economic collapse and delivered on important priorities like Obamacare. We now need someone who can carry the ball the rest of the way.
What sets Governor O’Malley apart from every other Democrat on stage are a few things. Many of the other Democrats on stage espouse progressive values, but he’s the only one who has actually put them into action: he raised the minimum wage; he abolished the death penalty; and he signed into law marriage equality, the DREAM Act, and the most comprehensive gun safety laws in the nation. He didn’t decide to fight those tough fights because of polls — he fought them on the basis of his principles.
Now, building on his record of achieving the things that the other Presidential candidates only talk about, he is leading the field in putting out the boldest and most progressive ideas on the most pressing issues facing our nation.
Whether it’s debt free college, a clean energy economy, immigration reform, Wall Street reform, comprehensive gun safety, expanding social security, or fair trade, Governor O’Malley has shaped the Democratic debate — not merely reacted to it. His ideas are far-reaching, progressive, and bold, but as a former big city Mayor and Governor, he is the most likely to get them done.
Our campaign is hosting more than 70 debate watch parties in both early states and across the country. We’re confident in the groundwork our campaign has built in Iowa in New Hampshire — especially since Governor O’Malley is the only Democratic candidate who is engaging in old-fashioned retail politics that pay off dividends in the early state system.
