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Recursion

(56,582 posts)
1. It's a fair question
Fri Nov 13, 2015, 12:37 PM
Nov 2015

And you're not the only one to ask that.

I think something like this:

1. Clinton, obviously, has a huge amount of institutional and base support, and that would be a challenge to overcome in any circumstances

2. Sanders announced before O'Malley, and caught the attention of a lot of the people whose main goal is to nominate someone other than Clinton

3. Sanders also has had a significant following for a part of the party that has felt ignored for a long time, which means that a lot of people who might otherwise have stayed out of the early part of the primary season have been (ahem) very passionate about his candidacy. So he widened the field, which makes O'Malley's "natural" support base look smaller than it might have otherwise

4. And, well, we've seen what's happened since then, and it's hard for the one sane person to get much attention while everybody around him is throwing pies at people

That said, I don't think low national poll numbers in November are a huge worry, frankly. A strong showing in Iowa or New Hampshire would change the media dynamic a lot.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I'm hesitant to ask this here, but... [View all] TreasonousBastard Nov 2015 OP
It's a fair question Recursion Nov 2015 #1
I'm not terribly worried either... TreasonousBastard Nov 2015 #2
Bernie has worked with Republicans zalinda Nov 2015 #3
Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Martin O'Malley»I'm hesitant to ask this ...»Reply #1