Who would make the best President for the next 8 years? Click the image to see the answer.

Very shortly, Iowa Democrats can upset the political apple cart, and lift up a new leader. I hope many of you decide to lift up Governor Martin O’Malley.

Martin O’Malley finished a surprising second in the Iowa Youth Caucuses

But don’t get me wrong. I can and do #FeelTheBern, and I was all in for #Hillary in 2007-8. At that time, I was also impressed with Senator Obama; but I feared the freshman Senator from Illinois was not then ready to deal well with all the usual treachery in Washington. Sadly, for his first years in the Presidency that sometimes proved to be true — - but, I digress.

Bernie says “Somebody has got to tell Wall St. and corporate America that their greed is destroying our economy.” Martin O’Malley wrote them a letter to that effect last summer.

The fact is I have long been impressed with Senator Sanders’s ability to talk about our flawed economic system; and I strongly believe that he still has everything it takes to be an outstanding Chairman of a Senate committee such as the Senate Finance Committee. I’m similarly impressed with Secretary Clinton’s wide international contacts, and feel that she could put her knowledge and experience to great use as a powerful U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (for example). But, the question remains, Iowa, how well would either of them lead as President of the United States?

Lucky for US, Saturday Night Live is just entertainment.

Clearly, both of them are far more experienced than was Senator Obama when you propelled his candidacy in 2008. But what is the nature of that experience? As U.S. Senators, both of them have toiled away in the Capitol, putting up with seemingly endless days of verbal sparring, inevitably honing some very serious debate skills. Also, Senator Sanders was once a U.S. Representative and he likely picked up some management skills as Mayor of a small town in Vermont. And for her part, Secretary Clinton undoubtedly learned a lot as First Lady and Secretary of State.

Hillary and her supporters must do better than this if they really want her to become President. But, what should they have answered?

That’s all significant, and not to be dismissed. But, in evaluating that experience, we should ask one another to what cumulative effect either of them actually led the bringing together of diverse groups and successfully changed things for the better? Because that’s what Presidents must be able to do. They must be able to cut through, rather than feed, the seemingly endless debates in Washington. Our Presidents must be able to lead, and lead effectively. Otherwise, we get gridlock; our differences grow; and our most serious problems do not get solved.

Throwback to what Martin O’Malley was saying to Iowans in early April, 2015.

Some of the good things Martin O’Malley made happen.

Which brings me to the main reason I hope many of you will support Governor Martin O’Malley in your caucuses. Governor O’Malley has put his outstanding leadership abilities to very good effect in changing many things for the better in Maryland, and also in Baltimore while he was Mayor.

If the DNC Chairperson had not issued her unprecedented debate exclusion decree, tens of millions of Americans would now know this, and most of them would be very favorably impressed with Martin O’Malley’s leadership qualities. But Chairperson Wasserman-Shultz did suppress debates, and at this point, the majority of Americans know too little about Martin O’Malley to form an opinion as to whether or not they like him or think they would vote for him.

Then little known Martin O’Malley got standing ovations at the Iowa JJ Dinner

But in Iowa, as many as 10% of you have already wisely decided to caucus for O’Malley. You’ve been able to meet him at events around the state and some of you have heard him speak several times. Perhaps your county or precinct chairperson has committed to caucus for him. You may have seen articles about him in your local newspaper, and perhaps seen him interviewed on your local television station. Perhaps you heard him speak at the annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner, or maybe at the Iowa State Fair. And for those of you who still haven’t given him a look, still have questions, or want to see him again, here’s the good news. For the final month of campaigning, Martin O’Malley is going to stick to Q&A at community events in Iowa. “O’Malley Unplugged: The New Leadership Tour” will enable lots more Iowans to get their questions answered. So, be sure to keep an eye out for events in your area.

I strongly urge you to attend at least one of those events. You have the power to upset the apple cart and lift Martin O’Malley’s candidacy up so that tens of millions of Americans will finally decide to take a look at his excellent record as well as his outstanding leadership qualities. I very much hope that many more of you will get your questions answered in the coming days. And even if you can’t get out to any of these events, I hope you’ll at least click on the underlined words in this article to find out more. Your knowledge and a call from you could help persuade some of your friends and neighbors to caucus for O’Malley.

Martin O’Malley on Great Day KCWI 23

Whatever you decide, bless you for taking your immense responsibility so seriously. Because, as Martin O’Malley says, “Now is not the time to turn back the clock.”