O'Malley struggles in second year of second term

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -   It's been a tough year so far for a Democratic governor in a heavily Democratic state.
 
   Gov. Martin O'Malley has had a handful of setbacks, including a budget package collapse that required a special session to restore.
 
   Frequent appearances on national TV programs and his work as the head of the Democratic Governors Association have some questioning how tuned in O'Malley is at home.
 
   Some say the recent breakdown of a work group on gambling expansion is feeding into a narrative that O'Malley's attention is too divided.
 
   Others say difficulties stem more from the dynamics between the presiding officers in the legislature.
 
   Aides to the governor say his critics are overlooking significant victories this year for same sex-marriage rights, sharing teacher pension costs and the environment.