by NIJ MARTIN
The Wes Moore playbook: Big speech, early state, and all the presidential signals
Well, well, well. If you’re a political junkie, you know that certain moves by ambitious politicians just scream bigger things to come. And Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s recent trip to South Carolina? It’s practically shouting from the rooftops.
On Friday, Moore, the charismatic 46-year-old first-term governor, didn’t just show up to the South Carolina Democrats Blue Palmetto Dinner – an absolute must-attend for anyone with an eye on the White House. He delivered a keynote that felt less like a friendly visit and more like an “early and urgent appeal,” as one might put it, to a crucial early primary state’s Democratic base.
So, what did he say that’s got everyone talking?
Moore essentially laid down a gauntlet for the Democratic party. “Gone are the days when we are the party of bureaucracy, multi-year studies, panels and college debate club rules,” he declared to the assembled party insiders. His solution? “We must be the party of action.”
This wasn’t just about internal party dynamics. Moore directly addressed the Trump factor, a challenge Democrats are constantly grappling with. In a rather nuanced take, he said, “Urgency is the instrument of change. And do you know who understands that really well? Donald Trump.” He was quick to add, “I want to be clear: We can — and we must — condemn Donald Trump’s reckless actions. But we would also be foolish not to learn from his impatience.” That’s a message designed to show he’s a serious thinker, ready to lead on the national stage.
And like any politician eyeing a broader audience, Moore wove in his personal story – his Charleston roots, his Army service, and his gubernatorial record on crime and jobs in Maryland. He framed his political drive as a “mission” to deliver adequate health care and livable wages, painting a vision starkly contrasted with what he termed the “reckless actions” of Trump.
Let’s be clear: showing up in South Carolina for a premium speaking slot like this does very little to “tamp down speculation he’s kicking the tires on an upcoming presidential bid,” as the saying goes. It fuels it. Big time. Add to that the whispers of him being one of the party’s “most promising young stars” and catching the attention of Democratic megadonors like George Clooney, and the picture becomes even clearer.
Moore himself told the crowd that mustering the courage to fight “can’t wait until the next presidential cycle.”
While it’s still early days (it’s June 2025, after all!), and no official announcements have been made, the signals are strong. Wes Moore is making the kinds of moves, saying the kinds of things, and showing up in the kinds of places that prospective presidential candidates do.
Is he running? He’s certainly acting like someone who wants to keep that option wide open. South Carolina was a significant step. Now, we watch to see what comes next.