The former governor of Maryland is expected to announce he’s seeking the Democratic presidential nomination this weekend.
WASHINGTON — Martin O'Malley will enter the Democratic presidential race Friday not with a bang, nor a whimper, but with a guitar lick.
O'Malley's campaign will heavily promote a 23-second video of the former Maryland governor strumming "Hail To The Chief" on a guitar ahead of his formal campaign kick off event in Baltimore, according to details of the plan obtained by BuzzFeed News.
O'Malley supporters emphasize the lack of production in the 23-second clip — the guitar isn't even O'Malley's, they say, but was borrowed from a supporter — which they suggest contrasts with the slick, highly-produced rollout video by the Democratic presidential frontrunner, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
O'Malley can be heard humming as he tunes up the guitar in the video. At the end of the short lick, the camera pans up to find him nodding approvingly at the song used go play presidents on and off stage. The screen fades to black before the words "Stay tuned" appear.
The guitar and O'Malley's willingness to play it at the drop of a hat have been a central part of the exploratory phase of O'Malley's presidential effort. As that phase comes to an end with an expected announcement that he's formally running for the White House, the guitar looks like its staying as a central part of O'Malley's image.
The former Maryland governor's rollout will have its share of production values as well. A local blues band that once opened for O'Malley's own Irish rock band is scheduled to play the Baltimore event on Saturday. O'Malley will speak atop Federal Hill overlooking the city he led as mayor before going on to become Maryland governor.
Following the announcement, O'Malley will set off for a string of retail politics events in Iowa and New Hampshire. No word from the campaign on whether the guitar will go with him.
Source BuzzFeed - Politics http://ift.tt/1LQ7Jqw
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