During a 2005 conference at the National Press Club , where mayors from across the U.S.A. gathered to denounce President George W. Bush 's proposed budget , O'Malley compared the budget to the 9/11 terrorist attacks , declaring , " Back on September 11 , terrorists attacked our metropolitan cores , two of America 's great cities . They did that because they knew that was where they could do the most damage and weaken us the most . Years later , we are given a budget proposal by our commander in chief . ... And with a budget ax , he is attacking America 's cities . He is attacking our metropolitan core . " For this he was criticized by not only Republicans but fellow Democrats , and in a subsequent interview said he " in no way intended to equate these budget cuts , however bad , to a terrorist attack . " In 2002 , at the age of 39 , O'Malley was named " The Best Young Mayor in the Country " by '' Esquire '' ; and in 2005 , '' TIME '' magazine named him one of America 's " Top 5 Big City Mayors " . In August 2005 , '' Business Week '' Magazine Online called him one of five " new stars " in the Democratic Party , along with Senator and future President Barack Obama of Illinois , future Senator Mark Warner of Virginia , future Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and future chief of staff for President Obama and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel . '' Business Week '' declared that O'Malley " has become the Party 's go-to guy on protecting the homeland . The telegenic Mayor has developed a detailed plan for rail and port safety and has been an outspoken critic of White House security priorities . " O'Malley considered a run for governor in the 2002 election but decided not to run . In October 2005 , after much speculation , he officially announced he would run in the 2006 election . He had one primary opponent , Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan , who abruptly dropped out in June a few days after being diagnosed with clinical depression and endorsed O'Malley , who thus became the Democratic Party nominee with no primary opposition , challenging incumbent Bob Ehrlich . He selected Delegate Anthony G. Brown of Prince George 's County as his running mate for Lieutenant Governor
9/11 terrorist attacks
September 11 attacks
Martin O'Malley