Former Gov. Buddy Roemer criticized special interests—from Washington lobbyists to Middle East oil money to ethanol subsidies—that he said are ruining the country and its politics, during an appearance Monday night at the Iowa Faith & Freedom annual Spring Kickoff. “I know all the other candidates are good people, and they’ve got PACs and they’ve got airplanes,” Roemer said. “All I’ve got is me and you. I think it’s enough.” Roemer was one of five Republican presidential hopefuls to speak at the forum, joining former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain.
Roemer said that a politician who doesn’t take special-interest money will be independent and thus able to make the right decisions instead of being beholden to another boss. “We have to get rid of my little deal and your little deal and put together our deal at the end of it,” Roemer said. “I declare my independence. Tell people that a seasoned warrior against special-interest money is in the race. Tell them he’s old enough to know what to do and young enough to get it done.” To read the Des Moines Register blog on Roemer’s appearance, click here. To listen to a C-SPAN video of the forum, click here (Roemer’s presentation begins at 31:08 on the video clock).
