Democratic presidential candidate Martin O’Malley made a campaign stop in Little Rock on Dec. 4.
O’Malley, who is polling behindĀ opponents Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, held a roundtable with about 15 students at Philander Smith College, where he fielded questions about student debt, gun policy, climate change and other issues.
He touted his experience as both governor of Maryland and mayor of Baltimore, as what sets him apart from his opponents. The 52-year-old O’Malley also said being from a different generation than Sanders and Clinton gives him a uniqueĀ perspective. Clinton is 68, and Sanders is 74.
Though he admitted that Clinton is an “inevitable frontrunner” in Arkansas, he believes he can still do well in the state.
When AMP asked O’Malley how he canĀ appeal to Arkansas voters, he said it’s all about new leadership.
“I think the biggest issue in our nation is how we make our economy work again, how we get wages to go up,” he said. “Weāre not going to do it by taking our orders from Wall Street, nor are we going to do it by scrapping capitalism and replacing it with socialism. What we need is new leadership, not the sort of leadership that drives us apart but the leadership that brings us together for a common cause. Thatās what Iāve been able to do as a mayor and as a governor ā to bring people together to get things done.”
During his talk with students, O’Malley acknowledged his place in the polls, saying, “There’s a fine line between delusion and imagination, and I’m not delusional.”
O’Malley said he has been traveling around the country setting up infrastructure for his campaign. He said he “derives energy and optimism” from talking to young peopleĀ and a sense of where the country is headed.
While in Little Rock, O’Malley also attended theĀ Arkansas DemocraticĀ BlackĀ Caucus Christmas Gala.
Here are a few highlights from his talk at Philander Smith:
@MartinOMalley: 'Don't wait for the old people to tell you it's your time to run for office' to @PhilanderSmith students
— AR Money & Politics (@amppob) December 4, 2015
@MartinOMalley: Plan to make debt-free college a reality
— AR Money & Politics (@amppob) December 4, 2015
@MartinOMalley: 'We're following a proven formula of actions not words.' #arpx @ArkDems pic.twitter.com/EgkfbPskIv
— AR Money & Politics (@amppob) December 4, 2015
@MartinOMalley: 'I am a lifelong Democrat.' #arpx
— AR Money & Politics (@amppob) December 4, 2015
@MartinOMalley at @PhilanderSmith pic.twitter.com/YKrb3VmFR7
— AR Money & Politics (@amppob) December 4, 2015