His top political people weren't available to lend out. O'Malley's gubernatorial campaign manager, Josh White, is no longer in state government, having left his position as head of intergovernmental affairs to become a lobbyist. His top spokesman, Steve Kearney, is setting up a public affairs shop in Baltimore.
Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, a co-chairman of Obama's state campaign, said there was very little that Mikulski, O'Malley or anyone else could have done to help Clinton in Maryland.
The state's demographics - a black population of nearly 30 percent and a high rate of wealthy, well-educated residents - heavily favor Obama,
"To blame Governor O'Malley for the shortcomings here in Maryland would be myopic," Gansler said. "It's really who the candidates are."
The Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia primaries came a week after Super Tuesday. Many analysts note that the Clinton campaign appears not to have developed an effective post-Super Tuesday strategy, thinking the contest would be over.
The Clinton campaign didn't have weeks to hone its message, as it did for Ohio and Texas.
"We did the very best we could, given the resources the national campaign was able to provide just five days after Super Tuesday," said Rick Abbruzzese, an O'Malley spokesman.
If Clinton wins the nomination and the presidency, it's not hard to imagine a position for O'Malley in her administration. He may be interested in, say, homeland security or environmental protection.
But if he got those jobs, it would be because of his abilities and loyalty, not because of how he delivered votes during the primary.
A reward for that kind of performance would go first to Ted Strickland.
david.nitkin@baltsun.com
