2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Gov. Buddy Roemer Goes Independent, Announces End To Bid For GOP Nomination, Will Seek Americans Elect and Reform Party Endorsement

Gov. Buddy Roemer Goes Independent
 
Santa Monica, CA– Governor Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer will deliver a speech on Thursday at 9am PT / 12pm ET live from Yowie headquarters in Santa Monica, California. Governor Roemer issued the following statement in regard to his campaign:
 
“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. 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.”

WHAT:  Yowie Online Speech 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET

WHEN: Members of the media and public are invited to view the speech online at http://www.yowie.com/videochat/5u1-buddy-roemer or at http://www.buddyroemer.com/live-town-hall

Carlos Sierra, National Campaign Manager for Gov. Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer, Statement on Qualifying for FEC Matching Funds

FEC Declares Buddy Roemer Eligible for Matching Funds

Baton Rouge, LA – Carlos Sierra, national campaign manager for Republican presidential candidate Governor Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer, released the following statement on qualifying for FEC matching funds:

“Yesterday’s announcement of certification of eligibility for matching funds was a proud day for our campaign, because we earned a small recognition of our hard work and transparency. Qualifying for matching funds isn’t easy. It requires that you take in at least $5000 in each of 20 states, in increments of $250 or less and in our case $100 or less, and that you agree to spending limits and strict auditing. Our donations came from all 50 states and territories ranging from one to one-hundred dollars, and we disclosed every penny even though were weren’t required to do so.”

“If more candidates went the matching funds route, that would mean fewer Wall Street and K Street fundraisers, and less favors candidates would have to promise to their big donors. Matching funds level the playing field and help take the corruptive influence of money out of the equation. We challenge the rest of the field to lead by example and denounce their Super PACs and special interest money.”

Buddy Roemer First Presidential Candidate Declared Eligible for Primary Matching Funds in 2012 Race by the Federal Election Commission

Roemer First Presidential Candidate Declared Eligible for Primary Matching Funds in 2012 Race

WASHINGTON – Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer III on Thursday became the first 2012 presidential candidate to be declared eligible by the Federal Election Commission to receive federal matching funds. Roemer is seeking the Republican nomination for president in 2012.

 To become eligible for matching funds, candidates must raise a threshold amount of $100,000 by collecting $5,000 in 20 different states in amounts no greater than $250 from any individual. Other requirements to be declared eligible include agreeing to an overall spending limit, abiding by spending limits in each state, using public funds only for legitimate campaign-related expenses, keeping financial records and permitting an extensive campaign audit.

Based on documents filed by Buddy Roemer for President, Inc. on January 25, 2012, contributions from the following states were verified for threshold purposes: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington. All of the materials included with this submission may be viewed here. Based on Roemer’s initial threshold submission, the Commission will request that the United States Treasury make an initial payment of $100,000 to Roemer’s campaign.

Once declared eligible, campaigns may submit additional contributions for matching funds on the first business day of every month.The U.S. Treasury Department may pay the Commission-certified amounts beginning this month.The maximum amount a primary candidate could receive is currently estimated to be about $22.8 million. 

The presidential public funding program is financed through the $3 check-off that appears on individual income tax returns. The program has three elements: grants to parties to help fund their nominating conventions, grants available to nominees to pay for the general election campaign, and matching payments to participating candidates during the primary campaign.

In July and September of 2011, the Commission certified $17,689,800 each to the Republican and Democratic parties for their conventions.The Commission estimates that each general election nominee will be eligible for a grant of approximately $91.2 million.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent regulatory agency that administers and enforces federal campaign finance laws. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, the Presidency and the Vice Presidency. Established in 1975, the FEC is composed of six Commissioners who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Governor Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer Statement Following President Obama’s State of the Union Remarks

Governor Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer Statement Following President Obama’s State of the Union Remarks
 
Baton Rouge, LA– Governor Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer released the following statement following President Obama’s State of the Union remarks:
 
Tonight’s State of the Union address is a time-honored tradition, and I show utmost respect for the Office of the President of the United States and appreciate the words he shared with the country tonight.  I do have the responsibility, though, as an American citizen, to ask some tough questions of the President.  I have to ask why, Mr. President, Congress has not been able to pass a budget in two years? Why have tax reform, immigration reform, fair trade reform with China, the banking reform  - all the policies you talked about tonight – why have none of those things been accomplished, when you’ve had three years in office to make progress on them?

Now you say that you want to introduce a new unit to investigate abusive mortgage lending practices that led to the housing crisis, and a ‘trade enforcement unit’ to tell us what we already know about China’s manipulation of currency and unfair trade practices.  There’s a big difference between President Obama and myself – I don’t believe that the solution to the government’s problems, and to the peoples’ problems, is MORE government.  The solution is better government, and smarter government – adequate legislation to regulate lending, like that which Glass-Steagall provided, and tough action against China’s practices rather than a bloated investigation.  Instead, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Obama administration started contracting with one of Newt’s many firms to serve as consultants for this new mortgage unit.

I was surprised to hear the President use the words ‘money in politics.’  That’s my issue, and I’ve been talking about it since I declared my candidacy for the Republican nomination for president.  But unlike President Obama, I live the message, not taking a single penny from PACs or Super PACs, which distort and corrupt our politics.  Limiting stock ownership by elected officials, keeping bundlers from lobbying, banning insider trading by members of Congress – which is illegal for EVERYONE, by the way, not just members of Congress – those are great things, but as long as PACs and Super PACs are buying our elections, they won’t mean anything.  How can a president who is planning a billion dollar reelection campaign decry the influence of money in politics?

I have to say, I felt like the President and his speechwriters have been reading my website and brushing up on my speeches, because I’ve never had every idea I’ve been going around the country talking about stolen.  Go to my website, and read my speech in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington.  Read my speech from the National Press Club.  Read my speech from Iowa, where I talk about ending ethanol subsidies.  Energy, fair trade, deregulation, immigration reform – the President finally talked about all of them tonight, except for the most important one – corruption.  President Obama would have you believe that Washington is broken, but it is not.  It is corrupt.  And it will be corrupt as long as you are raising money from the same Wall Street one-percenters who got us into the very mortgage crisis you’re now concerned about.  After just two years in office, you have reverted to the job you do best – being a full-time campaigner.  The policies you proposed tonight, I agree with many of them.  But they will never happen until we take the money out of the equation.  The country is looking to you, Mr. President.  They are looking to you for leadership, and for reform.  Not for pretty speeches and gutless action.   End the corruption, lest we continue our drift into economic mediocrity.

Buddy Roemer Participating in Online Blackout to Protest SOPA & PIPA

Buddy Roemer Participating in Online Blackout to Protest SOPA & PIPA

Baton Rouge, Louisiana- "Today, January 18th, I am joining with many others in an online blackout to protest SOPA & PIPA, because I care about preserving the ability to be able to freely exchange information and ideas online. These bills have the ability to change the way we use the Internet, reaching far beyond their stated intent and into the realm of censorship."

"As I have said before on this issue, America has always been a beacon of freedom – freedom of thought, freedom of information, freedom of communication.  We are a land of innovators and collaborators, and the Internet has helped make both possible for everyone, regardless of age or physical location or income level.  How can we condemn Internet censorship in China and around the world while choosing to restrict our own liberties under the guise of stopping piracy?"

"I’m asking every Internet user to stand with me in opposing SOPA and PIPA, and preserve our online freedoms."

Buddy Roemer New Hampshire Public Schedule for January 10, 2012

Buddy Roemer New Hampshire Public Schedule for January 10, 2012
 
Manchester, NH – Governor Charles E. "Buddy" Roemer's campaign released the following media appearances and New Hampshire events. All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise stated. All times are local:
 
Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Poll Standing and Sign Wave with Gov. Roemer

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Londonderry High School
295 Mammoth Road
Londonderry, NH 03052

Election Watch Party with Gov. Roemer

7:30pm - 11:00pm
JW Hill's Restaurant
795 Elm St.
Manchester, NH 03101

Buddy Roemer New Hampshire Public Schedule for January 9-10, 2012

Buddy Roemer New Hampshire Public Schedule for January 9 & 10
 
Manchester, NH – Governor Charles E. "Buddy" Roemer's campaign released the following media appearances and New Hampshire events. All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise stated. All times are local:
 
Monday, January 9, 2012

Jeff Katz Show (Live)
7:30am - 8:00am
St. Anselm College
100 St. Anselm Dr.
Manchester, NH 03101

Dan Mitchell Show, WKBZ
8:20am - 8:40am
Radisson Hotel Manchester
Radio Row
700 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101

Radio Row
8:40am - 9:25pm
Radisson Hotel Manchester
Radio Row
700 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101

Manchester Business Stroll
11:00am - 12:00pm
Elm Street, Manchester, NH

"Made in America" Yankee Swap
12:30pm - 1:30pm
Roemer HQ
66 Hanover St., Suite 200
Manchester, NH 03101
*** Bring gift under $15, which is made in America if you want to participate. ***

Radio Row
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Radisson Hotel Manchester
Radio Row
700 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101

90 Second Live Shoot
5:15pm - 5:45pm
WMUR Studios, Manchester, NH

Radio Row
6:00pm - 6:40pm
Radisson Hotel Manchester
Radio Row
700 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101

Occupy NH Primary
6:40pm - 7:10pm
Veterans Park
Manchester, NH

Roemer LSU Tailgate Party
8:00pm - 11:30pm
Scorpions Bar and Grill
45 Main St.
Durham, NH 03824

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Morning Joe (Live)
7:30am - 8:00am
J.D.'s Tavern
Radisson Hotel Manchester
700 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101

Visit to Red Arrow Diner
8:30am - 9:00am
61 Lowell St.
Manchester, NH 03101

Election Watch Party with Gov. Roemer
8:00pm - 11:00pm
JW Hills Restaurant
795 Elm St.
Manchester, NH 03101

Gov. Buddy Roemer to Make Campaign Announcement about his Presidential Campaign on Saturday January 7, 2012 in New Hampshire

Gov. Roemer to Make Campaign Announcement
 
Manchester, NH – Former four-term Congressman and Governor Buddy Roemer will make an announcement about his Presidential campaign on Saturday, January 7th. The event is open to members of the media and the public. All times are local:
 
 
Saturday January 7, 2012

EVENT: Governor Roemer to make campaign announcement
WHEN:4:00PM
WHERE:

Radisson Hotel Manchester
Room: Cafe on the Park
700 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101

Gov. Roemer Conducting Final Town Hall Before Primary Day

Gov. Roemer Conducting Final Town Hall Before Primary Day
 
Manchester, NH– Governor Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer's campaign announced today that Governor Roemer will hold his final town hall of the First in the Nation Primary with supporters at TurboCam International.  TurboCam is located at 607 Calef Highway in Barrington, NH 03825.
 
With a growing level of support and rising poll numbers in the Granite State, Governor Roemer will continue to spread his anti-corruption message of reforming a broken political system.
 
This is the last opportunity to meet Governor Roemer in a town hall format before the primary on Tuesday. The event will take place at 12:00 PM in the TurboCam cafeteria.  The event is free and open to the public.

Gov. Buddy Roemer Makes the CaseTo Iowa Voters

Gov. Roemer Makes the CaseTo Iowa Voters
 
Manchester, NH– Governor Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer, who has come out of nowhere of late to surpass Rick Perry in the polls in New Hampshire, and is neck and neck with Jon Huntsman in an Iowa poll conducted by Public Policy Polling, released the following statement to the participants of the Iowa Caucus:
 
"For the second straight week the Iowa polls have me at 2%. This, combined with the musical chairs phenomenon of GOP frontrunners, demonstrates that Iowans are as unsettled as the rest of the nation as to who they want to support for President. And they should be. This is a weak field of inexperienced candidates who are all perfectly comfortable saying anything to get elected."
 
"Iowans are a pretty savvy bunch. You know that a person's boss is who signs his check, but how many of you know who signs the checks of candidates you are considering in your caucus? What do you think any of the good ol' boy politicians will be able to do as long as they are taking millions of dollars from special interests? Do you think Romney will reform the Wall Street banks when he's been holding fundraisers with Goldman Sachs executives and betting his fellow candidates $10,000? Do you think Newt can do anything at all to enact health care reform, when the same health insurance and pharmaceutical companies that financed Obama are contributing to his campaign?  And what are the chances that Huntsman will demand fair trade with China when his billionaire daddy and the Huntsman Corp. profit from outsourcing American jobs to China?"
 
"I'm challenging Iowans to be more discerning about who they pick. A four-term Congressman and a Governor is a good start. Everyone wants to pick a winner. I'm asking Iowa to pick a President, and to send a clear message to Washington, D.C., the capital of corruption, that the Presidency is not for sale. Send that message, and I guarantee that as your President, we will usher in a period of economic growth and prosperity the likes of which America hasn't seen in generations. I'm challenging Iowa to stand up to corruption in politics. Stand with Buddy Roemer."