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Buddy Roemer to End GOP Bid, Seek Reform Party Nomination

Posted: February 22, 2012

buddy roemer reform party

Former Louisiana governor Buddy Roemer today announced that after several months of being excluded from debates and otherwise being unable to participate in the mainstream efforts to join the fray, he will no longer seek the GOP nomination in the 2012 election.

Roemer has broken ranks significantly with many Republicans in his efforts to reform campaign finance, and has garnered some attention for his tendency to put his money- or lack of- where his mouth is. While the one-time House rep has been given airtime on prominent politically-slanted shows like The Colbert Report (where he did a mock-PSA with host Stephen Colbert in the latter’s ongoing effort to draw attention to the scary influence of Super PACs) and Real Time With Bill Maher on HBO, Roemer has been notably not present in debates and other fora for Republican candidates to interact with their potential constituency.

Part of the reason, as alluded above, is that Roemer refuses all donations above $100 due to his stance on special interests and politics. But Roemer will continue his dark horse race for the White House, he confirmed in a statement. Roemer said last night:

“Tomorrow, I will formally end my bid for the GOP nomination for President of the United States. As the GOP and the networks host debate number twenty-something this evening, they have once again turned their backs on the democratic process by choosing to exclude a former Governor and Congressman. I have decided to take my campaign directly to the American people by declaring my candidacy for Americans Elect.”

He continues:

“Also, after many discussions with The Reform Party, I am excited to announce my intentions of seeking their nomination. It is time to heal our nation and build a coalition of Americans who are fed up with the status quo and the partisan gridlock that infects Washington. Together, we will take on the special-interests that control our leaders and end the corruptive influence of money in politics so we can focus on America’s top priority – jobs.”

Do you think the American political landscape needs more men like Buddy Roemer?

Comments


4 Archived Responses to “ Buddy Roemer to End GOP Bid, Seek Reform Party Nomination ”

  1. Dionysios Anninos
    Feb 22, 2012

    Wrong Governor of Louisiana running for President.

  2. Joop Kaashoek
    Feb 22, 2012

    It sounds like tries to be an honest politician who can not be bought. So he has no chance of making it in America.

  3. John Balzer
    Feb 23, 2012

    The Reform Party will appear on the presidential ballot in only four states. It is thus without credibility. By comparison, the Libertarian Party will appear on the ballot in all 50 states. This is a third party with sufficient gravitus to go head to head with the big two.

  4. Say Amen
    Apr 4, 2012

    Actually, Joop, Roemer just says he is an honest politician who cannot be bought. His actions speak with greater honesty than his words. He is seeking the nomination of Americans Elect because he wants to be bought. AE is a secret organization controlled by unknown big money donors who have an agenda. We do not know who they are or what agenda they intend. They have the control of the Americans Elect from behind the curtain. They can override the public internet "supporters." They may also control the counting and the reporting of the AE vote. This appears to be a set-up job with Roemer's mentor Lessig on the Board.

    Roemer talks against corruption and argues for transparency, then seeks the AE nomination, effectively using AE's $20 – $30 million financed by unknown donors to launch his campaign. He limits contributions to $100 because he does not need it. AE will provide the funds.

    Roemer did the same thing in the past. In 1991 he was such a bad governor that he could not hope to be re-elected as a Democrat, so he cut a deal with the Republican party to switch to Republican if they would finance his campaign. See this history:
    http://www.salon.com/2011/03/03/roemer_duke_president/

    In 1987 he won election because he could mesmerize the crowd with his preacher-like talk condemning corrupt politics. But once elected, he did not have a clue how to govern. His personality is that of a loner, a curmudgeon, damning the world with such passion and skill using his "Buddy Talk." See this fascinating history as to how he struggled to try to figure out what to do as governor.
    http://www.hamiltonmixon.com/Ballad.pdf

    He turned out to be one of the worst governors in Louisiana history. He could not get along with people. He could not put together a competent staff. He lacked the political common sense and ability to pass legislation. He did not work hard and seemed to love the adoration of his campaign followers but had no ability to govern. To see Buddy's ineffective record as governor and congressman look at this excellent history of Louisiana's governors, pages 259-268:
    http://books.google.com/books?id=Y-0-kmu4vk0C&pg=PA259&lpg=PA259&dq=%22Often+wrong,%22+Roemer&source=bl&ots=GXt38E_jVv&sig=poXJMn9QbCUESjDIP2-foOb3YLY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=n-xjT7CXDOORiQL8n_SiDw&ved=0CGMQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=%22Often%20wrong%2C%20but%20never%20in%20doubt%22%20Roemer&f=false

    As a congressman he was inept. He chaired no committees and did not author any significant legislation. His only accomplishment in Congress was that he won money at poker. Yes, he was a convincing bluffer.
    A NY Times article from 1987 describes Mr. Roemer's record in his eight years in Congress.
    http://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/10/us/washington-talk-avocations-networking-at-the-poker-table.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm

    Mr. Roemer plans to use his same technique again if he returns to Washington as President. Note his statement in this article, the fourth paragraph from the end, beginning with "If elected,":
    http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/01/roemer-attacks-political-corruption/
    He says he "would emphasize listening and working in a bipartisan way, through poker games." http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/01/roemer-attacks-political-corruption/.

    Most of the things Buddy says about his past are false. See this web page where he obtained a reputation in Louisiana for mendacity (that continues to today).
    http://www.first-draft.com/2011/09/rubberband-man.html

    A PPP poll of Louisiana voters, just released, shows that here in his own home state he has the worst rating of any candidate for president. Two out of three of the people who know him best have an unfavorable opinion of him. (28% favorable, 56% unfavorable). He is Louisiana's UNfavorite son. See http://race42012.com/2012/03/23/poll-watch-ppp-d-louisiana-2012-republican-primary-survey/

    After reading this history, do you still think he is honest?