Granite State voters could be tiring of political dynasties. At least Martin O’Malley hopes they are.
The former Maryland governor will spend the next few days in New Hampshire meeting with political insiders and voters to test the waters for a presidential bid.
As #emailgate continues to dog Hillary Clinton, Democrats are forced to consider other options if the former U.S. secretary of state implodes. Few think this latest report that Clinton used a personal email account to conduct government work is a fatal blow to her presidential aspirations.
Still, O’Malley hopes to gain momentum off it.
Dan Calegari, a New Hampshire Democratic activist and close friend to O’Malley said, “The Clintons and the Bushes are not the only two families that can run this country. People are looking for a new face and new ideas.”
It is still too early to go door-knocking — first, O’Malley needs to find well-connected liberals who will support him and legitimize his campaign against one of the most powerful women in America. Calegari said Manchester Alderman Dan O’Neil is a good liberal to have in his corner.
“O’Neil is supporting him, who historically is the top vote-getter in every election up here.” Calegari added. “He has to generate a group of people that will support his candidacy and validate that he has what it takes. … It is a lengthy process.”
New Hampshire Republican Chairwoman Jennifer Horn told Boston Herald Radio that Hillary Clinton has already been anointed by the chairman of the Democratic Party there but stresses that voters want options, even from lesser-known contenders.
“Name recognition is not something you use to not run. He has all the time in the world to build name recognition,” she said. “Voters want to hear from potential candidates, and they want choices. They will demand it whether you are Hillary Clinton or Martin O’Malley that you put your feet on the ground and answer these questions about her record as secretary of state or on Benghazi.”
O’Malley is quite familiar with Granite State voters. Calegari first met O’Malley back in 1983 when they were volunteering for presidential candidate Gary Hart — knocking on doors and sleeping on floors. Hart, a long shot, beat out Walter Mondale. Hart imploded soon after.
If O’Malley could help Hart pull off one political miracle in New Hampshire, maybe he can do the same for his own campaign several decades later.
Jaclyn Cashman is co-host of “Morning Meeting” on Boston Herald Radio.
Copyright © 2024 Jaclyn Cashman.
