Martin O'Malley cautioned to ease White House dream and be 'loyal soldier' to Hillary

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has been holding off an announcement on his White House intent: He’s been waiting, along with several other Democratic potential candidates, for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to decide to run and either free up or grab up key campaign contributor dollars.

But now the Maryland Democrat seems to be shrugging off Mrs. Clinton’s shadow and taking actual steps toward the higher office. And at least one Democratic strategist said that’s a mistake — that the governor may be better off waiting on the former first lady and keeping open his chances to be her vice presidential pick.

In April, Mr. O'Malley reportedly held a closed-door meeting with political compadres and told them that he spoke with Mrs. Clinton, and that she gave him the thumbs-up he needed to make his own White House decision, Politico reported. Since, Mr. O'Malley has been seen visiting several crucial primary states, campaigning for fellow Democrats and simultaneously making friends with those who may one day help his career.

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