Roemer blasts Obama, GOP contenders for allowing special interest money to corrupt Washington

Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer, a Republican presidential candidate, said President Barack Obama is the worst example of how politicians allow special interest money to corrupt and influence the political system in Washington.

“Selling important jobs like a third world nation is not good for America," Roemer said during an Aug. 15 Newsmaker. "Both sides do it. I don’t mean to pick on the president. He’s the worst, but both sides do it.”

Part of the problem in Washington is that lobbyists are also fundraisers and some corporations undermine the public good to serve corporate interests, Roemer asserted.

“GE and Goldman Sachs have never made more money," he said.

In the pursuit of greater profits, corporations seek changes in the tax code or federal budget that will "enhance their ability to eliminate jobs in America and open them overseas because it’s cheaper and they make more money," Roemer added.
"That’s not in American best interest.”

Another major component of corruption in Washington, Roemer maintains, is the lack of transparency when it comes to campaign funding.

He challenged fellow GOP presidential candidates Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, Ron Paul, Michelle Bachmann and Jon Huntsman to make their donors' identities easily accessible and refuse special interest money.