Democratic presidential candidate Martin O’Malley has suspended his presidential campaign. David Hamrick, O’Malley’s campaign manager, sent this memo to interested parties:
Memorandum RE: Tonight’s Caucus Results & the O’Malley Campaign To: Interested Parties From: David Hamrick, O’Malley for President Campaign Manager Date: February 1, 2016 Governor O’Malley ran a strong, bold, and honorable campaign in a very challenging year. Entering the race as an unknown, he always faced long odds—especially against a candidate as universally known as Secretary Clinton. Governor O’Malley’s presence added great value to the Democratic race: · Despite enormous fundraising challenges, he built a professional operation and was able to hang in through the Iowa caucuses; · He put forward the most detailed, progressive policy vision of any of the candidates; · His leadership early on policy was credited with moving both Sanders and Clinton to adopt more progressive policy stances on issues like climate change, gun safety, and immigration reform; · He showed bold moral leadership throughout the race—he was the first Democrat to take on Donald Trump’s racist rhetoric, to stand up for refugees seeking asylum and for American Muslims in the wake of the Paris attacks, and to call out the DNC on the undemocratic debate process, · While Republican and Democratic candidates spent the days leading up to the Iowa caucus running negative ads and attacking each other, he remained focused on putting forward a positive vision for the country; · He campaigned the “Iowa way”—giving voters and media unfettered access to him—and holding more events and spending more time in the state than any other candidate. In total, he spent 57 days in the state and held 153 events; · He stayed true to who he is—never reinventing himself, remaking his image, or resetting his campaign. While he suspended his campaign this evening, he plans to continue to play a forceful role in the Democratic Party and the national debate going forward. Throughout this campaign, he heard from voters about how they’re working harder and still falling behind, how the costs of college and health care continue to rise, and how they’re struggling to retire with dignity. These challenges underscore the high stakes of this election, and how Democrats must win the White House and downballot races and continue to build on President Obama’s legacy. Just as importantly, he plans to fight forcefully against Republicans’ attempts to distort the President’s record, their dangerous and divisive rhetoric, and their policy schemes that would have disastrous consequences for virtually everyone in America, short of millionaires and billionaires. Although it might not have been Governor O’Malley’s year and while the results oftonight’s caucus are disappointing, he leaves the race with an enhanced national profile and proved himself to be a well-liked figure and positive force within in the Democratic Party. We could not be prouder of him and all that his candidacy represented, and we believe strongly that his voice will be a compelling one within the Party in the weeks, months, and years ahead.
