Grading O'Malley as a communicator
Sometimes it seems hard to figure out just who the real Martin O’Malley is.
He came on the scene as the brash young mayor, not afraid to make enemies and show emotion.
His frustration and impatience often shined through, such as when he drew stick figures in an acerbic rebuke of the city’s state’s attorney over what he perceived as her reluctance in prosecuting gun crimes. The mayor threatened to fight a radio host who criticized his response to a 2002 firebombing that killed the Dawson family, and he later cried at a dedication service.
But sometime during his 2006 governor’s race, a switch of sorts was flipped. Perhaps he knew from polling that voters found him too brash, and he wasn’t going to give opponents a chance to exploit a weakness. He bit his lip. His responses to questions seemed measured and frequently canned.
He has largely kept that style for more than two years, governing through the worst fiscal crises in generations. About a year into his tenure, he cast himself as the mature leader who was going to take on the state’s fiscal problems once and for all. He called a special session to address a long-term imbalance between state revenues and expenses, and muscled through a sales tax increase and a slots referendum.
Predictably, his approval rating plummeted. So did the economy.
O’Malley’s poll numbers are coming back. But the governor doesn’t give himself very high marks for delivering his message.
“It’s much harder to communicate as governor than as mayor,” O’Malley told Thomas F. Schaller, the UMBC political science professor, in a column published in today’s Baltimore Sun. “It’s a much more diverse, diffuse audience.”
The statement offers a window into the governor’s thinking. It shows that he recognizes that he may not be able to quip or show sarcasm or anger in public – because large segments of the state population might not understand or appreciate it.
When asked by Schaller to grade himself as a communicator, the governor offered up a “C-.” It must have pained him to do so. He’s a history buff and a musician, steeped in literary Irish heritage and modern American politics. He’s toiled on speeches before the Democratic National Convention, and has seen them fall flat. Addressing a crowd of tens of thousands this month during Barack Obama’s appearance in Baltimore, he was booed.
Perhaps he hasn’t quite found the right balance of emotion, enthusiasm and responsibility. Perhaps, despite his apparent charisma and good looks, he isn’t as effective a speaker as his audiences expect.
What grade would you give O’Malley’s communication skills? And how would you advise him to improve?
Comments
He comes across as a swarthy politician who lies he way through everything, and says anything to get elected.
For example:
Still waiting for my BGE bill to go down.
And how about that 83 percent of us Maryland residents will see our state tax bill go down?
HAH!
Lies
lies
lies!
The only improvement I would see is his resignation!
Posted by: jay | January 27, 2009 12:01 PM
I agree he sucksss!!! He lied to get into office, he only beat Ehrlich because people were pissed at Bush and the Republican party. He is a scumbag liar same as Dixon, Holten, probally most of the city council, Jim Smith,and last but not least the newest member of the Democratic party to show the true colors of what they think * Sen Lisa Gladden*. She should be removed from office for the crap she spouted. Hope that watch gets stolen and then pawned so some poor schmuck can buy his family groceries. Let me know when the revolution is starting, I want to sign up!
Posted by: kayleemackenzie | January 27, 2009 12:19 PM
Ever notice how he uses the same voice you would use if you were to read a children's story to a group of 1st graders? Real slow, real soft, real simple. Or how you might talk to a retard if you were trying to convince them to take some medicine they didn't want.
But just as with the popularity of talentless boy bands and pop artists like Brittaney Spears, is his success more a reflection of him, or his audience? Democracy does not work with the stupid or the ignorant.
Posted by: HellinaHandbasket | January 27, 2009 12:25 PM
Beware of the sneer! It is making a comeback.
He doesn't need to communicate, he just needs go away.
Posted by: Drew from Greektown | January 27, 2009 12:31 PM
This state gets what it deserves. Criminal politicians from Baltimore City. After all, instead of Charm city it should be called Crime city and would'nt you know it he will be re-elected along with Shelia Dixon. Way too many Democrats in the state. (uneducated democrats) You need a liscense to drive and to fish but if you are 18 you can vote. Yikes.
Posted by: Mateo from Balmer | January 27, 2009 1:00 PM
That furrowed brow... Those squinty little pig eyes... That feigned intensity... I'm not buying one bit of what comes out of Woe'Malley's mouth. But this is what you get from the ignorant masses that make up Maryland's Democratic majority.
Posted by: Cynical Eastern Shore Girl | January 27, 2009 3:29 PM
I give the guy a FFFFFFFFFFFFFF for what he has done for the state of Maryland bring back the man that has done a great job for the state of maryland GOV EHRLICH.
Posted by: Paul Middle River | January 27, 2009 3:34 PM
While I'm one who will probably never vote for him, I have to say part of his problem is he only appears on TV (in Baltimore at least) when there's bad news. It's hard to be an affective communicator when you're delivering bad news.
In Baltimore, he had enough opportunities to deliver good news. Even when he didn't deserve any credit for it.
Posted by: Ted | January 27, 2009 3:47 PM
While I am disgusted with O'Malley, your questions ask about his communication skills and advising him on improving them. Short of him resigning--not happening obviously--the major improvement would be some passion in what he has to say. He needs to project more than five inches beyond his face. He comes across as sterile and zombie-like in his delivery. Currently, I would give him a grade of D- to answer the first part of the questions.
Posted by: Norris | January 27, 2009 4:08 PM
He grades out better than the C-, he gave himself when he is communicating to people directly, or in smaller press conferences.
When he has been on the bigger stage, DNC, State of the State… he has not come across as very inspirational.
Right now, he has to articulate a message that people do not want to hear. There are huge deficits, a short-fall of funds, and that requires budget cuts.
To his credit, he is cutting budgets where possible.
However, people all over the state (including the rural areas) have improvements they are personally seeking. When O'Malley reminds those people that it will take funds to accomplish the improvements desired - that message will fall on deaf-ears.
Baltimore City, and the surrounding Baltimore Metro (County, Anne Arundel, Carroll, Harford, Howard) are much improved because of the efforts of Martin O'Malley as Mayor of Baltimore.
It remains to be seen if his efforts as Governor will greatly improve the State.
I would urge the Governor to listen to all, bring in opposing voices and find common ground where possible. Beyond that, he should think big.
Posted by: Chris | January 27, 2009 4:41 PM
Maybe this will be a little more politically correct, DAVID NITKIN.
Are you not a MMA fan?
Why can't I post my brilliant idea for raising lots of money for Maryland. Instead of O'Malley touring the State for town hall meetings, we should do a town hall throwdown. I'm a huge fan of UFC, and like you said earlier, Martin's been known to want to get into fist fights. WHY NOT A CAGE MATCH A MONTH??? $$$$$$$$
Put Martin in the Cage with a Maryland resident, and we can work out our differences while raising money.
Posted by: Ballz Mahoney | January 27, 2009 4:51 PM
It still boggles my mind that he started his gubernatorial campaign with the ridiculous lie that he has reduced violent crime. How could any voter expect honesty out of him in the future? But the all time two faced move - mayor MOM was hell bent on opposing slots when Erlich was governor. If it wasn't insane enough that MOM raised taxes across the board and continues to look for ways to keep his hands in your pocket, he turned his lying eye in favor of slots. Just unbelievable. I guarantee you when the liar mismanages the slot money (like he has the with lottery money AND the largest tax increase EVER), he’ll be digging in your pockets again. Getting back to the subject of grading his communication skills, I would say that it must be hard for a liar to communicate anything effectively, so I give him a C+ just for having the guts to say anything knowing what the podium he stands on was built on.
Posted by: Greg | January 27, 2009 6:50 PM
At least he is better than Dixon, who should be impeached by now! Anyway we Marylanders are f....ked, we need to vote better!
Posted by: Richar | January 27, 2009 9:40 PM
lies-> A
typical politican B.S. -> A
BGE savior-> A for foolery
F for helping taxpayer
my only question is?? CAN i HAVE MY VOTE BACK???
Posted by: chuck | January 27, 2009 10:14 PM
Martin is a good person with the best interests of the State as a whole in his heart. I personally prefer the "old" fiesty Martin and do regret his perceived loss of tenacity and fervor that defined his political rise. His mistake was actually believing the opinions of his staff that a Clintonesque manner of poetic speech would benefit him in the long run. This was a grave error on his part. His speech at the Obama event was so filled with worthless metaphors and poetic nonsense that he said absolutely nothing that his voting public and support base would either understand or comprehend. The old Martin is still there and he is NOT the uncaring person described in the majority of these comments. It would be nice to have him back as he was when he spoke for himself, not overpaid speech writers, in the language of the people as Obama does.
Martin - Jake would tell you to go back to being yourself. It's time you do it and move on to Washington after Obama is done. Not that it matters, but you'll always have my support derived from the days when you were a Baltimore "maverick".
GRADE - Old Martin A+++; Clintonesque Poetic Martin D
Posted by: L | January 28, 2009 1:04 AM
he should go back to baltimore city with the rest of the liberal politicians. he sucks!!!!!!!!
Posted by: john dimitri | January 28, 2009 6:20 AM
Martin,
a little more humility a lot less arrogance.
Posted by: Anonymous | January 28, 2009 8:45 AM
And mark my words...the teflon leprechaun will be reelected. all of these comments about how awful he is....mean nothing. he will get reelected. sad commentarty about the voters in PG county,Montgomey county and balt. city.
Posted by: Genevieve Martin | January 28, 2009 9:47 AM
What did you expect?
Posted by: Baltimore | January 28, 2009 9:49 AM
I'm ashamed to be a Marylander. He is running out state into the ground as he did Baltimore City. That's okay with the rest of the populous though, as I'm sure they will vote him right back into office. Let's see...raised out sales tax, bankrupted out government, wants to cut funding for our school (though that is on hold...let's see for how long) yet let's push though social programs. Ugh.
Posted by: Shannon | January 28, 2009 10:58 AM
I won't vote for O'Malley.
Never. Ever.
Posted by: Daniel | January 28, 2009 11:01 AM
His communication skills declined linearly with his political ambition. The switch was flipped waaaaaaay before 2006, essentially as soon as Ehrlich took office and he revealed himself to be your typical Maryland career politician putting himself and his party line before the needs and the will of his constituents.
I liked him when he first became mayor and seemed to be a fresh face with a lot of enthusiasm, but those days are looooong since passed.
Posted by: Evan | January 28, 2009 5:05 PM