Roemer slams Huntsman on Super PAC

EXETER, N.H. -- Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer was the only presidential candidate in New Hampshire on Monday and he took the opportunity to aggressively slam the other GOP hopeful who has centered his entire campaign around the first-in-the-nation primary: Jon Huntsman. Pacing the room in a fight-ready position, Roemer questioned Huntsman's billionaire father and his reported funding of Our Destiny PAC, a pro-Huntsman organization that has aired ads on behalf of the former Utah governor. Roemer implied the relationship is inherently corrupt. 

"The law is that the super PAC must be independent of the candidate. It says it clearly in the Supreme Court ruling, called Citizens United. Is that independent? I mean I have a big imagination but I just can't imagine that father and son don't talk," Roemer told more than 50 students at Phillips Exeter Academy.

 Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited cash but cannot legally coordinate their activities with candidates. 

It has been reported that Jon Huntsman Sr. has poured millions of his personal wealth into Our Destiny PAC. He has not commented on the matter. 

Several weeks ago, Huntsman told NBC News that while he is "mighty thankful" for "air cover" from the PAC, he does not discuss Our Destiny or campaign strategy with his father, a businessman in Utah. The Huntsman campaign has repeatedly stated it has no affiliation or contact with the PAC. 

Sources close to the Huntsman campaign say it has no plans to go on the air in the near future. As of Monday evening, Our Destiny PAC had made two major ad buys in New Hampshire, the last of which finished airing Nov. 27. 

Jokingly, Roemer continued to jab the Huntsman campaign on finances, saying his relatively smaller buy would soon be on the air while the former ambassador to China has yet to hit the airwaves on his own. 

"They spent four million from the super PAC. Jon Huntsman's campaign is broke. I have more money than he does in my campaign. But they're getting all their money from the super PACs buying television ads in New Hampshire. Wow! That's the kind of world we live in now," added Roemer. 

Roemer's campaign is indeed in the process of buying air time on New Hampshire's biggest news station, WMUR, NBC news confirmed on Monday. However the exact amount is unknown.

Speaking at high volume, Roemer didn't reserve his criticism for only Huntsman. 

"They do it undercover and not just Jon. He is the worst case of the super PACs. Mitt Romney's independent super PACs are run by his business partner, his campaign finance guy from his previous campaign, and his former chief of staff," Roemer said. "It's not independent, it's a joke." 

Roemer -- who no longer shows up in national polls and has yet to be invited to any televised debates -- added he would love to participate in the Trump debate. 

"Hell, if Donald calls me, I'll be in his debate. I would love to debate Donald Trump. That'd be fun. It'd be entertaining. You'd watch!" he told students, mostly under the legal voting age. 

In perhaps his most reflective moment of the evening, Roemer lamented the drop in retail campaigning and increasing frequency of debates he cannot join. 

"New Hampshire is in trouble, let me say it, guys," Roemer told the students, who appeared largely captivated. "Retail politics is almost non-existent. I came to New Hampshire to kiss babies and shake hands. 

"This election is a month away. Where are they? They're out having fundraisers, getting the goods. They're trying to get on television. It has nothing to do with retail politics. It's greatly exaggerated in the 21st century," Roemer said. "We're a slave to television now."

Discuss this post

Who the hell is he Roemer? I must say the GOP is filled with weirdo's !

  • 6 votes
Reply#1 - Tue Dec 6, 2011 12:39 AM EST

Buddy Roemer is a former Governor AND Congressman. He is a successful banker. He REFUSES all campaign donations greater than $100.00. He is the ONLY candidate calling for serious campaign financing reform.

He is unquestionably the best candidate running for the Presidency on the G.O.P. side.

You make lefties look very, very bad when you don't do your homework. He would be a worthy opponent for President Obama.

  • 1 vote
#1.1 - Tue Dec 6, 2011 9:09 AM EST

David,

How refreshing to see a response here that eschews knee-jerk reaction.

We would have better government if the electorate did its homework. As for me, I know nothing about Mr. Roemer. Time to study up.

    #1.2 - Tue Dec 6, 2011 11:04 AM EST
    Reply

    super PACs... and that government of the billionaires, by the billionaires, for the billionaires, shall not perish from the earth.

    • 3 votes
    Reply#2 - Tue Dec 6, 2011 1:03 AM EST

    Ideaology,

    Regardless of PACs, super PACs, super-dooper PACs, stupendous PACS, and super-stupendous PACs, isn't our government ultimately up to the electorate? Is the electorate so wowed and swayed by shiny bits waved at us by billionaires that we have abandoned critical thought and action? If so, we only have ourselves to blame.

    • 1 vote
    #2.1 - Tue Dec 6, 2011 11:12 AM EST
    Reply

    You spout off like this and wonder why you don't get invited to a debate? We already have enough kooks and wannabe's. AND, they at least show up in the polls. If you had any real support you would be in the polls.

    Stop whining and get a clue.

    • 2 votes
    Reply#3 - Tue Dec 6, 2011 3:29 AM EST

    MSN. Must be proud of all the attention this article got. Maybe they should replace it with an article about Chuck Todd lying to and about Trump. It would show alot more stones then this crap.

    • 1 vote
    Reply#4 - Tue Dec 6, 2011 8:32 AM EST

    Did Chuck say or tell Trump he was intelligent???

    • 1 vote
    #4.1 - Tue Dec 6, 2011 8:44 AM EST

    Time 4truth Trump is like Grover Norguest who hell is he? When was he the chosen one to pick your party's candidate. Trump is a blowhard. But hey defend him that is your choice. Why do you think the donald does not run? He does not have the street credit to run. His baggage would sink the ship. Hey I still want him to run. It would be fun to see donald get his panties in a big knot when he would not get his way.

    Run Donald Run!!!!!!

      #4.2 - Tue Dec 6, 2011 9:10 AM EST
      Reply
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