It will take one million contributors in the primary to win, and five million in the general. It can be done in the age of the internet.
The system fights me. I am the only candidate running who has been governor and a member of Congress, and yet I have not been invited to a debate. Maybe no one wants to talk about the money they are getting, or at least begging for.
My contributions average $82 per contributor, and come from all 50 states and three territories. Our bills are paid; we have money in the bank. And after our announcement three weeks ago, we are slowly getting known across New Hampshire and the country.
RJ - Given the grave concerns the public has about the weak economy, high unemployment, massive budget deficits, the growing national debt, and other fiscal issues, do you believe your message of campaign finance reform will resonate with voters?
Buddy Roemer - It has not resonated yet, but it is early in the cycle. As people realize just how corrupt the system is (SuperPACs and $1 million checks), and as they realize how the special interest money keeps any real change from taking place (stopping unfair trade practices of a foreign competitor nation [China] for example), people will focus on the real problem: the influence of big special interest checks. And this will become the issue.
RJ - According to your website, your plan for balancing the federal budget "calls for an annual reductions in federal spending equal to 1% of GDP over five years" and reducing federal spending to 18% of GDP. This appears to be quite similar to Republican Congressman Connie Mack's "Penny Plan." What are the main differences between your plan and Congressman Mack's plan? What are the advantages to your plan?
Buddy Roemer - My proposal was made in Iowa in my first campaign speech in February where I outlined a one percent per annum reduction in federal spending for five consecutive years, driving baseline spending down to 18 percent of GDP.
I proposed putting every program on the table and started with the elimination of the ethanol subsidy (big in Iowa), some $20 billion. Also oil and gas subsidies, unproven energy technology subsidies, and the Department of Energy itself; another $250 billion, if you add housing subsidies and agricultural subsidies.
I proposed tax reform as a separate operation designed to foster growth by very low marginal rates with the elimination of all loopholes, deductions, and exemptions bringing corporate rates to 15 percent and individual rates lower than that up to $125,000 of income.
Article comments
1 - Clavos
Thanks for a very good article/interview, RJ!
Until now, I was among those unfamiliar with Roemer; there's good food for thought here.
2 - RJ
Thanks, Clavos.
3 - Glenn Contrarian
Here's something interesting - Roemer actually said something very true:
Although he supported President Reagan's economic policies in Washington, Roemer said the party's lingering racism was holding it back: "The only thing that is keeping me from being a Republican is the Republicans." He finally made the switch in 1991 in the hopes that it would help his re-election chances (it didn't). For his switch, Roemer's critics took to calling him a "transvestocrat."
...but of course, since he said that there's - gasp! - racism within the Republican ranks, he must therefore be shunned and deemed a RINO and can never be elected to a national office.
And shame, shame on him for mentioning "racism" and "Republican" within the same sentence, because all right-thinking people just know (all evidence to the contrary) that racism's just as bad if not worse within the Democratic party.
But in this liberal's viewpoint, Buddy Roemer's not so bad when it comes to Republicans - he's shown some spine against his fellow Republicans in the past, and that's a real rarity these days.
4 - handyguy
Astonishingly gentle and polite interview of Roemer by Rachel Maddow on her show last night. I do like his position on PAC/SuperPAC money -- a moral stance about the corrupting influence of big contributors. Right on, Buddy!
5 - Reform
Seems like a breath of fresh air. Like both his ethics, and his position on Fair Trade.
Every other candidate from both sides the aisle seem to print and rubberstamp free trade agreements as fast as they can, then have the gumption to wring their hands and wonder where did all the jobs go?
YOU SHIPPED THEM ALL OVERSEAS, REMEMBER???
6 - Pat Downing
I am impressed, but I don't understand why Roemer hasn't made a public announcement or been in any of the debates. At this point I am not committed to any candidate, in fact it's to the point of just vote Republican, but get Obama out, but I feel that could be a dangerous decision as well. How do we get this man recognized NOW? He needs to be in the fight NOW before it's too late.