O'Malley pays homage to NH's independent streak.

MANCHESTER — Martin O’Malley, courting the nation’s first primary voters Wednesday, paid attention and homage to the state’s independent streak.

“Here you’re not intimidated by polls. You’re not intimidated by big money,” the Democratic presidential hopeful told people gathered at his campaign office.

The former Maryland governor and Baltimore mayor is pursuing his party’s nomination against two rivals, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, who have the edge so far in public opinion polls.

Standing amid about 40 people in his office on South Willow Street, where one could smell fresh pizza from the nearby Papa John’s, O’Malley assessed the state of the race.

“My sense is every day we’re on the ground we’re picking up traction,” he said.The Democratic primary fight in 2016 is emerging as a battle to offer the boldest progressive ideas. Republicans call some of these ideas pie in the sky — or worse. Democrats running for the White House say the proposals, even on a grid-locked Capitol Hill, are achievable with comprehensive reform.

In Manchester, O’Malley gave brief remarks about his proposals, including for debt-free college, ending reliance on fossil fuels by 2050, and expanding Social Security, by asking wealthier Americans to pay more in payroll taxes.O’Malley said the important question of 2016 is how America can make the economy work for everyone.

The candidate referred to himself as “a new leader for a new generation.”

Don Jorgensen of Manchester came out to hear what O’Malley had to say. He said he’s heard all the Democrats running, and a couple of Republicans. He’s now supporting O’Malley.

Asked what issue resonated with him the most, Jorgensen instead described leadership qualities and executive experience. O’Malley, he said, was “Kennedy-esque.”

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