Presidential wannabe Martin O'Malley faces a huge obstacle ("O'Malley outlines possible 2016 bid," Aug. 5).

According to "The Geography of Happiness," a comprehensive University of Vermont research study published by PLOS (Public Library of Science) on May 29, Governor O'Malley's administration has caused Maryland to be the 48th least happy state in the nation. Only Louisiana and Mississippi rank lower.

It appears that Sad Sack will not have a shot at the Democratic nomination for president unless his principal opponents hail from those two states in the Old South.

Barry C. Steel, Phoenix