O’Malley making SC Democratic debut

In the shadow of two political juggernauts, Democratic presidential hopeful Martin O’Malley will make his S.C. primary debut Tuesday in Columbia.

O’Malley will speak at a roundtable event, organized by 20/20 Leaders of America and other African-American professional groups, before heading to a private meeting with leaders of historically black colleges and universities.

The former Maryland governor is the first of Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton’s five declared challengers to make a campaign stop in the state.

So far, O’Malley has announced policy ideas for reforming the criminal justice and immigration systems, promoting renewable energy, offering debt-free college educations and regulating Wall Street.

But only having raised $2 million so far, O’Malley faces tough competition in Clinton, the former secretary of state and first lady whose campaign has raised $47 million and has been building its infrastructure across the state.

O’Malley also is visiting the state amid renewed speculation that Vice President Joe Biden – second to Clinton in S.C. primary polls – will decide soon whether to run for the White House.

Biden’s entrance would add a second Democratic heavyweight on the ticket for the state’s Feb. 27 primary and create even more of a contest for limited S.C. political resources.

“But she’s the only game in town right now,” said would-be Biden backer Dick Harpootlian, a former S.C. Democratic Party chairman.

Even without a Biden bid, O’Malley faces competition to be the alternative to Clinton.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who is running as a Democrat, has raised $15 million and gained steam in Iowa and New Hampshire, where he is running second to Clinton in polls.

Also running are former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, who trail O’Malley in polls in the three early-contest states.

Despite a slow start, there is still time for O’Malley to build momentum, S.C. politicos say.

“There’s no doubt his campaign hasn't exploded on the scene, but that's not necessarily a bad thing,” said Democratic consultant Lachlan McIntosh of O’Malley. “He’s been here a lot in the last couple of years. He's certainly made some good friends in the state.”

The former Democratic Governor’s Association chairman campaigned with state Sen. Vincent Sheheen last year, when the Kershaw Democrat ran unsuccessfully for governor.

Sheheen said Monday he has not endorsed any candidate seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. Clinton’s goal, he added, is to maintain dominance. “If you're any other candidate, the key is becoming the new alternative that many people are looking for,” Sheheen said. “The race is still very, very early; a great majority have not made up their minds.”

O’Malley has made one, non-campaign trip to South Carolina since his May campaign announcement. He attended the State House viewing for slain state Sen. Clementa Pinckney, one of nine African-Americans killed June 17 during a Charleston Bible study.

After his Tuesday visit, O’Malley heads to Iowa where he hopes to win the first nominating contest, building momentum for the rest of his campaign.