O'MALLEY IN – NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE? – AT 11:32 A.M. ET:  The former mayor of Baltimore and governor of Maryland announced this morning for the Democratic nomination for president.  He is running to the left of Hillary Clinton.   From the Washington Times: 

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley officially announced his candidacy for the White House on Saturday, becoming the second Democratic challenger to Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

“I declare that I am a candidate for president of the United States and I am running for you,” Mr. O'Malley announced from a park in Baltimore where he served as mayor before winning two terms as governor.

The 52-year-old vowed to rebuild the American dream saying it is currently “hanging by a thread.”

“For over 200 years we have been the architects of our own future and now we must build anew,” Mr. O'Malley said.

As President, Mr. O'Malley said he would focus on improving the economy by adding infrastructure and clean energy jobs and increasing the federal minimum wage. He added that American workers deserve the right to collectively bargain for better wages.

He also called for comprehensive immigration reform, saying “the enduring symbol of our nation is not the barbed wire fence, it is the Statue of Liberty.”

The announcement doesn’t come as a surprise, Mr. O'Malley has made several visits in recent months to early-voting Iowa, and plans to head there again after the Baltimore announcement, as well as New Hampshire.

Mr. O’Malley joins the Democratic primary race challenging former Secretary of State and likely nominee Hillary Clinton, and self-proclaimed socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, (I-Vt.).

During his announcement Mr. O'Malley took a jab at legacy candidates like Mrs. Clinton and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush saying, “the presidency is not a crown to be passed back and forth.”

Mr. O'Malley, an old ally of former President Bill Clinton, was the second governor to endorse Mrs. Clinton’s 2008 campaign but he says Democrats deserve more choices in the 2016 primary.

COMMENT:  Hard to be impressed.  Sure, O'Malley is a likable guy, but he's way behind Hillary Clinton, with not much to offer.  As mayor, he presided over a dying city that has now exploded.  As governor, he couldn't get his chosen successor elected.  Maryland now has a Republican governor.

Besides, Dems looking for a left-wing alternative to the already left-wing Hillary will turn to Bernie Sanders, who's the genuine article – a committed and open socialist.  In fact, Bernie's numbers are moving up.  People like his honesty, even though his ideas are nutty.  At least Dems will know what they're getting. 

May 30, 2015