O’Malley: Clinton lacks ‘independence’ from Wall Street

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) said late Monday that Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton cannot escape Wall Street’s influence.

“I believe she hasn’t the independence to protect the Main Street economy from excesses on Wall Street,” he told host Trevor Noah on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.”

{mosads}“She said in the debate, ‘I represented Wall Street,’ ” O’Malley said, regarding Clinton’s tenure as a New York senator. “Yes, she did.”

“She couldn’t bring herself to say, ‘We need to separate commercial banking from speculative banking, namely reinstate the Glass-Steagall Act,’ ” the 2016 Democratic presidential candidate added. “Because she can’t.”

O’Malley then argued that he is the alternative everyday Americans need next year.

“That’s still something we haven’t delivered upon as Democrats — mainly, to protect the Main Street economy from excesses on Wall Street,” he said.

“I believe that I have the independence to get that done,” O’Malley said. “And I do not believe that Hillary Clinton does.”

O’Malley also criticized Clinton for seeking a political dynasty following her husband Bill Clinton’s two terms in the Oval Office.

“I believe that as our times change, as our challenges change, I believe that new leadership is required,” he said. “I believe that these times are upon us.”