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Washington (CNN) -- Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is laying the groundwork for a presidential campaign with the intent of being ready should Hillary Clinton not run, a source close to the governor told CNN.

O'Malley amplified 2016 speculation when he told the Washington Post last week that he can't wait for the former first lady and secretary of state to make a decision.

He told CNN on Monday that he was working toward offering "a better direction for our country."

Sounds like he's planning to go for it, right?

Not quite. O'Malley is angling to be the person who could step in should Clinton decide to forgo a second White House candidacy.

She's the odd-on favorite in early polls to capture the Democratic nomination should she throw her hat in the ring.

"The big question isn't what happens if she runs, it's what happens if she doesn't," the source said. "In that sense, he is trying to lay the groundwork so that Democrats aren't left without any potential candidates."

Though, there's always Vice President Joe Biden, whose considering a bid, and a number of other Democrats in and out of Washington who would probably take a shot.

But outside of Biden, who can probably wait a little longer than most due to his name recognition and certain advantages associated with his office, no one else outside of O'Malley is setting themselves up as he is for becoming Clinton's understudy.

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Hillary Clinton's understudy waits in the wings