Testing The Waters: Is Gov. O'Malley Preparing For Presidential Run?
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Spreading the wealth. Governor O'Malley's political action committee is spending money on other campaigns.
Pat Warren looks at the potential return.
Governor O'Malley casts a wider net in testing the waters for a presidential run. In April, he told The Baltimore Sun:
"I need to be spending a lot more energy and time giving serious consideration and preparation to what, if anything, I might have to offer should I decide to run for president in 2016."
"O Say Can You See" is the governor's political action committee. O say can you see Governor O'Malley's PAC money?
It's finding its way into political campaigns in Iowa and New Hampshire--states with early presidential primaries. And that's not all.
The governor is expected in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Florida and California to raise money for the Democratic Governors Association and candidates in these and other states.
"What we're seeing here is definitely building the network," said Jennifer Dangel, Common Cause Maryland.
Jennifer Dangel of political watchdog Common Cause Maryland says it's a widely practiced strategy.
"Starting to get to know his colleagues around the country, build the connections, build the relationships by investing in their campaigns in the hopes that they will hopefully turn around and invest in his," she said.
A January Gonzalez research poll asked Marylanders: Do you think Governor Martin O'Malley should run for president or not? Twenty-five percent say he should run. Fifty-eight percent say he should not run. Seventeen percent are not sure.
Those numbers may change as PAC money talks.
There's no limit to the amount of money Governor O'Malley can accept in donations.
Governor O'Malley gained national attention as chairman of the Democratic Governors Association for two years.
