O'Malley: 'For-Profit' Prisons Are 'Immoral'

[MADem]

7. There are two facts at play, here:

I think it's good he has articulated this position. It is a valid campaign issue.

I think it's unfortunate that the largest practitioner of this business is incorporated in MD. Did he articulate these views while he was governor and that entity was paying taxes in the state? That could be exculpatory.

You've brought up another point about immigrant refugees that has nothing to do with the private prison discussion that had a little bit of "Obama bad" wrapped up in there. Not sure why you wanted to draw that distinction, though. Two points in that regard:

O'Malley made it a point to distinguish himself from Sanders by pointing out that he SUPPORTED Obama in 2012 while Sanders wanted him primaried. It's not a good move to think that the elevation of O'Malley by dumping on the sitting POTUS will pay any dividends. O'Malley seems to want to draw closer to Obama, not 'rail against' him.

Also, Obama was the POTUS who actually visited a prison recently, so they seem to be somewhat on the same page on at least some aspect of this issue.

It's not a smear, it's a reasonable question, phrased respectfully. One someone might just ask. Nothing wrong with being prepared with an answer. Or is there?