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  • 5
    Dec
    2011
    11:37pm, EST

    Roemer slams Huntsman on Super PAC

    By NBC's Jo Ling Kent

    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."

    9 comments

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

    Show more
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