O’Malley’s 2nd Choicers Could Swing The Caucus – Where Are They Going? [View all]

Where Will O’Malley Support Go?

'Let’s start out with who a typical O’Malley supporter in Iowa tends to be. They’re almost all former caucus-goers, many are activists and county party central committee members, some younger people and the issue-oriented crowd.

The O’Malley campaign actually did a rather good job early on of locking down important activists and building a loyal group of volunteers. Indeed, O’Malley’s core supporters have taken on a Biden-esque quality of loyalty – they committed early on and have steadfastly stuck with him even as he’s failed to gain traction. Unfortunately, the mass appeal for O’Malley never came through, and it was difficult to grow beyond their early numbers.

The reasons they were drawn to O’Malley, however, vary, and is why they may not move en masse to either Clinton or Sanders. Some back O’Malley because they like his executive experience and that he seems like a highly electable candidate for the general election. Those folks might lean toward similarities they see in Clinton. Others prefer O’Malley because he’s a fresh face and has promoted very progressive policies. And some chose him because they simply don’t like Clinton on a personal level. Those may chose Sanders’ corner.

“My second choice would definitely be Hillary,” said Lu Ann Pedrick of Urbandale. “But I think you’re going to see it all over the board … I think there’s going to be some people who just go with who they support if O’Malley was not in the race … Of the ones I’ve spoken to, they’re all leaning Hillary.”

“From my perspective, my second choice is Hillary Clinton by far,” noted Taylor Van De Krol of Jasper County, though he has so many O’Malley backers in his smaller rural precinct that he thinks O’Malley should win his precinct outright. “I think she is a valid candidate, she has the experience needed. I don’t think a President Sanders will be able to get anything done with a Republican Congress.”

Another precinct O’Malley is almost certain to score some delegates in is the Sherman Hill neighborhood precincts near downtown Des Moines, filled with apartments home to many political professionals (and where O’Malley himself played guitar for a crowd at Carl’s, the local dive bar). But an O’Malley volunteer there says he expects most of his friends there would go with Sanders otherwise. And in the two largest western Iowa counties, Starting Line hears most O’Malley backers are leaning toward Sanders as their second choice.

“I’ll be going with Sanders in the second round if O’Malley’s not viable in my precinct,” plans one county chairman in eastern Iowa. “I’m worried Clinton is too divisive for the general, and I like what Sanders is saying on Wall Street reform better anyway.”

“There are going to be some individuals who are anti-establishment and will go with Bernie,” added Van De Krol.

Most admit they don’t see an overwhelming shift to one candidate or the other.'

http://iowastartingline.com/2016/01/19/omalleys-2nd-choicers-could-swing-the-caucus-where-are-they-going/