O’Malley: D.C. has failed inner cities

Pushing back against criticism of his own policing strategies in Baltimore, former Gov. Martin O’Malley said the tensions that erupted into riots last week would be central to his presidential campaign if he decides to run.

A fired-up O’Malley said Washington has failed since the Carter administration to implement a strategy for impoverished city neighborhoods and the federal money that has been invested in places like Baltimore has been “spit in the bucket” compared to the amount needed.

“I did not dedicate my life to making Baltimore a safer and more just place because it was easy. And I am more inclined and more deeply motivated now to address what’s wrong with our country,” O’Malley said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”