O'Malley calls Md. budget a model of 'responsibility'

In D.C. visit, he blames both parties for state deficit

O'Malley didn't mention his once and perhaps future opponent, former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., by name, But he did refer to the "stealthy property tax increases," and hikes in fees, tolls and college tuition, "of our Republican predecessor." He also spoke of "fiscal wounds" caused, in part, by "an enfeebled federal government" and took a swipe at Bush.

"I do give him credit," O'Malley said. "You know, ideologically, he believed that government was the problem. Ideologically, he believed that our government should be small and weak. And he's delivered on his promises and his goals."

O'Malley said he looked forward to a Barack Obama administration, which he said would invest in transportation infrastructure and green technology, expand health coverage and make college affordable.

"Those are my hopes," said O'Malley, who supported Sen. Hillary Clinton during the Democratic primaries. "That's what our federal government has done in the past, and I believe that's what we're going to do again."

Center for American Progress founder John Podesta, a former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton, said O'Malley's address sounded familiar.

"When I was listening to you describe the virtues of fiscal responsibility, the things you could get done, it actually reminded me of a guy I used to work for," he said.

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