O’Malley in NH: Nation wants ‘new leaders’

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), who is considering a 2016 presidential bid, said in New Hampshire that people want to hear from “new leaders.”

The remark will be seen as a criticism of Hillary Clinton, who has been on the national stage for years and would be the Democratic front-runner if she enters the race.

{mosads}The trip to New Hampshire, “reinforced the hunch I had that people want to hear a new perspective, that they want to hear from new leaders,” O’Malley told New York magazine in a story published Sunday night. “I think that reality is very much out there,” he added.

O’Malley spoke at the Portsmouth, N.H., Democrats’ annual dinner on Friday. The appearance in the home of the nation’s first presidential primary featured a video touting O’Malley’s work to turn around Baltimore, as mayor, and Maryland, as governor. 

O’Malley has made no secret of the fact that he is considering a presidential run. He has sent staff to help on campaigns this year in states including Iowa and New Hampshire, and has made repeated trips to both early-voting states.

At this stage, though, polls give him just one or two points of support, compared to well over 50 percent for Clinton.