O’Malley has a record of accomplishment

To the editor:

Like most caucus goers I take our first-in-the-nation status seriously and fully research the candidates before deciding who to support. I don't look at poll numbers, fundraising numbers or other statistics often used by the media to determine front-runner status.

In 2008 I volunteered countless hours on behalf of Joe Biden, not because he had the easiest path to the nomination, but because I agreed with him on most issues and his track record of legislative accomplishments was greater than all other candidates combined. The best indicator of future performance is past accomplishments.

Gov. Martin O'Malley has my full support in the Iowa caucuses. The candidates agree on many issues, but O'Malley stands out when it comes to actual accomplishments. Speeches can be uplifting, but a speech doesn't change a law. Campaign promises without a record of past accomplishments ring hallow. O'Malley has a record of standing up to the NRA, enacting common sense gun reform, passing the Dream Act, enacting marriage equality, abolishing the death penalty, freezing college tuition for four years, making Maryland schools No. 1 in the nation for five years and much more.

O'Malley may be the underdog right now, however if Iowa caucus-goers do their research and support the candidate with the strongest record of progressive accomplishments, he will win the caucus.

Sara Riley

Cedar Rapids