Buddy Roemer declares success in NH

MANCHESTER, N.H. — He could take 1 percent, maybe 2 percent or even 3 percent in Tuesday’s first-in-the-nation primary, but Republican Buddy Roemer is already declaring success in New Hampshire. 

The former Louisiana governor and congressman, who has struggled to attract attention for his presidential bid, said his progress in New Hampshire has given him a platform to talk about his top issue: the role that big money plays in American politics.

“We were written off months ago. We’re not being written off now,” Roemer said Tuesday in an interview with The Hill. “We’ve come from zero to having a request for an interview every 10 minutes — and that’s a start for our issue.”

Nothing about Roemer’s approach has been conventional. He won’t take any contributions of more than $100. PAC money is out. He didn’t bother with Iowa, and isn’t competing in South Carolina, where he would have had to drop $35,000 to get on the ballot.

He has also been shut out of every GOP debate, losing out on the free media and chance to take on his rivals face to face. 

But he’s made New Hampshire a prime focus, and is now besting at least one formerly top-tier candidate.

“We’re ahead of Rick Perry in the polls,” Roemer said. “He spent $20 million. We spent $100,000.”

When polls close in New Hampshire on Tuesday, Roemer’s attention will turn to Michigan and Arizona, which vote at the end of February. Roemer said he had managed to get on the ballot in both states, taking a swipe at Jon Huntsman, who failed to qualify in Arizona because of a paperwork error.

“I’m not responsible for his campaign,” Roemer said. “His daddy is.”

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