O'Malley Blasts Democratic 'Insiders' for 'Grave Mistake': 'They're Gonna Have Another Thing Coming

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley blasted Democratic "insiders" this week, upset about the number of debates planned for Democratic presidential contenders.

In a video published to O'Malley's YouTube account, he delivered a message to Washington insiders while talking to a group of supporters.

"I want to say right off the bat here, that to those in Washington who think they can limit the number of debates that we're going to have before the Iowa caucuses, can circle the wagons and close off debates," O'Malley said. "I think they're gonna have another thing coming when they talk to the people of Iowa."

"Because these are the issues about which we need to have not just one debate, not just two, but many debates. Because those debates will shape the future of the country we give our kids. Don't you agree?" he added as the small audience burst into applause.

O'Malley told The Hill that he had spoken with DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz about the issue last week.

“There's an effort by a few insiders to try to limit the number of debates that we have and I've shared with the chair — Debbie Wasserman Schultz — that I think that’s a grave mistake and I think it's undemocratic,” O'Malley said.

“It's all about trying to pre-ordain the outcome, circle the wagons and close off debate,” the former governor added. “If they could actually accelerate the date of the Iowa caucuses and hold them tomorrow — they'd like to do that. Then there'd be no campaign at all. That's what they'd really like.”

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