GOP Presidential Candidate Buddy Roemer Blasts Lobbyists, Endorses Directly Occupying Lobbying Firms

[ProSense]

GOP Presidential Candidate Buddy Roemer Blasts Lobbyists, Endorses Directly Occupying Lobbying Firms

By Zaid Jilani

Former Louisiana governor and two-term congressman Buddy Roemer isn’t your average GOP presidential primary candidate. Roemer is running on a platform blasting corporate America for its control over the political process and endorsing major campaign finance reform.

This afternoon, Roemer appeared at Occupy D.C. to lend his support to the group’s efforts to break the one percent’s strangehold over our federal government. Roemer explained to one protester that “big checks are first in line” for our politicians’ ears, and that “this is a government that is owned by the lobbies, PACs, and special interests.” Watch it:

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ThinkProgress asked Roemer if he supports Occupy D.C. and other groups taking their protests directly to the lobbying firms and others who have seized control of the government. He answered that he does. Watch it:

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Roemer has distinguished himself by being a Republican ally for the 99 Percent, even blasting New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg after he evicted Occupy Wall Street from Zuccotti Park.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. A Republican for the 99% is an unusual thing indeed. nt

[razorman]

2. I am a barber, and had the privilege of cutting Gov. Roemer's hair a couple of months ago.

I also cut General Wesley Clark's hair once during his campaign a few years ago. I found both to be very nice gentlemen, which is to be expected. I make it a point to meet presidential candidates of both parties when I have the chance. After all, it is a historical process. So far, I have been able to meet three men who either were or would someday be president. That is assuming that no one else I have met manages to become president. I think that's not bad for an average guy like myself. Sort of like Forrest Gump, I guess.

[Raven Lunatic]

3. Good for him

Too bad he doesn't have a chance in today's GOP.

[ProSense]

4. Why

"Too bad he doesn't have a chance in today's GOP."

...not? He's running as a Republican and he's just as kooky.

[hay rick]

5. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes.

See he trots out a lot of the usual right-wing chestnuts- "shopping across state lines" as a substitute for the Affordable Care Act, a flat tax and less regulation of businesses. On the plus side, he's against subsidies for oil companies and ethanol. Expect he's also against green energy subsidies as he doesn't think the government should be "picking winners."

A mixed bag, but credit where credit is due- I don't see any other Republicans even acknowledging that money in politics is a problem. Got to give him some Ron Paul sincerity points.

[meow2u3]

6. I don't like his idea of a flat tax

Flat taxes are inherently regressive and specious. The flat tax sounds fair, but in fact is not because it's just another ploy to soak the poor.

[Harry Monroe]

7. He was one of the few Republicans I've actually voted for in my lifetime

He was governor of Louisiana from 1988 to 1992. He switched party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in 1991. Louisiana has an open primary system and I voted for him in the primary. The other two choices were Edwin Edwards, as crooked as they come, and David Duke the Klansman. Not great choices. In the general election, I had to hold my nose and vote for Edwards. Ironically, I think Roemer could have won reelection had there been Democratic and Republican primaries. Roemer would have beaten Duke, who ran as a Republican, in a head to head primary race and I believe he would have defeated Edwards in the general.