Martin O'Malley

[Non Swing Voter]

What exactly does O'Malley bring to the table?  Why is he even discussed as a contender? 

He is not from a large state, or a swing state, he hasn't really done anything amazing as Governor as far as I can tell.  As someone who lives near Maryland it seems like it's gotten more dangerous since he's been Governor (with the exception of parts of Baltimore)...  So what has he really done other than put casinos in a bunch of shopping malls in the state?

[Non Swing Voter]

OK - it sounds like he has a pretty clean record as Governor in terms of progressive values.  But I have to agree with the posters above citing the fact that pretty much any D governor in Maryland over the last few years could have likely pushed through many progressive reforms. 

Althooooough... I do seem to recall Ehrlich being Governor right before him and it being a total right wing disaster.  So maybe he did push things forward a little faster.  Honestly, not sure how Maryland has turned so incredibly Democratic over the last 8 years.  It's basically more solid D than most of New England now.