O’Malley: Presidency ‘not some crown’ families should share

FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2015 photo, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley speaks with reporters during a roundtable interview at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Md. Potential Democratic presidential candidate O’Malley says the country needs new perspectives, and he’s criticizing the prospects of another Clinton and Bush seeking the White House again. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2015 photo, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley speaks with reporters during a roundtable interview at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Md. Potential Democratic presidential candidate O’Malley says the country needs new perspectives, and he’s criticizing the prospects of another Clinton and Bush seeking the White House again. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

By Associated Press March 29, 2015 2 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Potential Democratic presidential candidate Martin O’Malley said Sunday that the country needs fresh perspectives for confronting its problems and criticized the prospects of the Clinton and Bush families yet again seeking the White House.

“The presidency of the United States is not some crown to be passed between two families,” the former Maryland governor told ABC’s “This Week.”

O’Malley spoke as former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is considered a likely candidate and clear front runner for the Democratic nomination. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is considered a probable contender for the Republican nomination.

“I think that our country always benefits from new leadership and new perspectives,” O’Malley said. He added, “We need a president who’s on our side, a president who’s willing to take on powerful, wealthy special interests” to restore the economy.

Asked if Clinton would take on special interests, O’Malley said, “I don’t know. I don’t know where she stands. Will she represent a break with the failed policies of the past? I don’t know.”