2016 Interactive Presidential Election Timeline - ROUND 5

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Important Announcement from Buddy Roemer

Time for change. Time for Buddy.

Hello there, folks! How's everybody doing tonight? Today, I've come to make a major announcement about my future, and hopefully the future of this great nation. After months of careful deliberation, discussion with my family and my fellow Americans, and watching the news, I have decided that I'm going to join the field for the GOP nomination in 2016. Last time around, we didn't get much traction, but this time, Americans are awake and realizing how much harm monopolization of power by Wall Street and cronyism in our government are causing to American families. As I speak, income inequality continues to rise. Right now, the top 10% of American wealth earners earn more then the bottom 90%. Combined with disastrous rulings such as Citizen's United, this is leading us down the road to oligarchy. I propose an economic policy agenda to get America back on track as an innovator and to restore the American Dream.
1. A president Roemer WILL break up the too big to fail banks. As former president of a community bank, I recognize the need for banking reform in this nation. Dodd-Frank also needs to be simplified for small banks.
2. I will overturn Citizen's United.
3. The fed needs to be audited. For too long, they've conducted fishy activity against the interests of the American public.
4. We must close tax loopholes that let major corporations get away with tax evasion legally.
5. I support raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.
6. I will simplify patent laws to prevent patent trolling and keep drug prices down.
8. As president, I will seek to renegotiate unfair trade deals to protect US jobs, enforce human rights, and prevent manipulation by other countries such as China.
9. I support a simpler tax code that makes things easier for families and businesses alike.
10. Let's start to pay down our staggering debt by targeting waste in government spending.

As a former congressman and governor, I feel that I've uniquely had to deal with a variety of issues on both a legislative and executive level. Here are some other issues I find important to focus on as we move forward in this campaign.
1. The US needs to scale back our involvement abroad while maintaining a powerful defensive force.
2. The US must halt the expanding prison-industrial system, as millions are wasted on unjust and unnecessary imprisonment.
3. We need to prioritize an 'all of the above' energy policy to move us into the future.
4. I will emphasize border security in any immigration reform package.
5. Gun control issues and abortion belong to the states.
6. College costs need to be brought under control because our students are losing ground to foreign students who can more easily attend university.

This country needs a new direction. It's clear that none in the mainstream of either party will pursue the agenda we need for the US. That's why I am running. We need a fresh face in politics, not an entrenched DC interest. My family and I are looking forward to a great time on the campaign trail, fighting for a better collective future for this country. As we say down in Louisiana, merci beaucoup and bonne nuit!

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Buddy Roemer Staff (I'll do my schedule later)
Campaign Manager: Dr. Paul Ferreira
Campaign Strategist #1: Dr. Sandy Butler
Campaign Strategist #2: Saul Guntler
Press Secretary/Communications: Mark McKinnon* (Real dude)
Policy Director:  Elliot Hill
Social Media: Francine Graham
Treasurer/Finances: Robert Washington
Constituency Mobilization Coordinators: Martha Lopez, Christian Novak

Dr. Paul Ferreira: A veteran of various Republican statewide campaigns, including Scott Brown's win over Martha Coakley, this Medford, Massachussetts native also was director of the political science department at a local university for 15 years. His organizing talent and strategy savvy is unparalleled.
Dr. Sandy Butler: Born and raised in Des Moines, Dr. Butler runs a consulting firm based out of Washington DC. She worked as a strategist on John McCain's 2000 run for presidency and has since coordinated efforts for a variety of county-wide and statewide campaigns.
Saul Guntler: Saul was the assistant campaign manager for a Texas gubernatorial campaign, and contributed greatly in his home area of Austin, Texas. His long time experience in managing a non profit charity makes him a top fundraiser with added political experience.
Mark McKinnon: *Served as Buddy Roemer's press secretary during his 1987 campaign, moved on to work under the Bush administration but got involved with Americans Elect as a prominent Roemer supporter in 2012.
Elliot Hill: A New Orleans, Louisiana professor, Elliot has in depth experience with public policy and platform coordination. A variety of Louisiana campaigns have been aided by his immense knowledge.
Francine Graham: Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland but living in DC, Francine was a chief coordinator of the Occupy DC movements. She was the social media organizer of the group and is glad to use her talents on the Roemer campaign.
Robert Washington: A longtime friend of Buddy Roemer, and a Vietnam Vet, this Houma, LA native was one of Buddy's top advisers in 2012 and is back for another go.
Martha Lopez: Incredibly active as a former Student Body President at Dartmouth University (Class of 2009), Martha knows how to reach out to young people and minorities. She's worked in recent years with all sorts of social justice activist groups as a coordinator and recruiter. She hails from the Bronx but lives in Manchester, NH.
Christian Novak: The son of factory workers in Toledo, Christian worked his way through college and was president of the Ohio Young Republicans. His experience on the advance team of John Kasich and Rob Portman gives him key experience energizing and turning out voters, especially low-turnout constituencies.

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Buddy Roemer Week 1 Schedule

July 1
Meet and greet with voters at Jitterz Coffee-Dubuque, IA
Town hall meeting at L. May Eatery-Dubuque, IA
Seek endorsement from Rep. Rod Blum who also isn't afraid to buck the party line. Buddy will discuss the problem of excessive lobbying and money in politics with Blum, who also wants a cleaner political system
Talking to business owners-Cedar Rapids, IA


"I'm not a Koch product like Ted Cruz and Scott Walker or a Wall Street shill like Paul Ryan and Jeb Bush. I am independent-minded and refuse to sell out the American voters. I will not have a super PAC behind me."

July 2
Rally about trade issues in Centennial Park-Davenport, IA
Seek endorsement from Iowa State Sen. Roby Smith, who like Buddy Roemer is a proven bipartisan problem solver
Rally about bipartisanship at Devil's Glen Park-Bettendorf, IA
Dinner with Davenport Chamber of Commerce-Davenport, IA

July 3
Talk to NC State students about the economy-Raleigh, NC
Seek endorsement from US Rep. Walter B. Jones on the issues of banking and foreign policy, which both Buddy and Walter tend to agree on
Visit the International Civil Rights Center and give a speech on criminal justice reform-Greensboro,NC
Dinner at the Piedmont Club with local party officials and local business owners-Winston-Salem, NC

Excerpt of discussion with Rep. Jones:
Buddy: Too big to fail is too big to exist. The taxpayers get shafted every time Wall Street gambles too much.
Rep. Jones: I agree wholeheartedly. I didn't support the bailout, and I know you didn't either. I'm glad to hear that we're on the same page!


July 4
Meet and greet-Rock Hill, SC
Participate in 4th of July Parade-Columbia, SC
Seek endorsement from former US Rep. Bob Inglis who also comprehends the spirit of bipartisan problem solving and the need for free market solutions to environmental issues. Moreover, Inglis and Buddy agree on the need for compromise and reform in healthcare.
Rally about what it means to be American and enjoy fireworks-Folly Beach, SC

"I love the 4th of July as much as anybody. This day symbolizes what we all should strive to stand for, the values of our founding fathers. Patriotism, honor, a sense of duty, honesty, and acceptance should be instilled in future generations to carry on the dream of Jefferson, Washington, and Franklin."

July 5
Town hall meeting-Charleston, SC
Rally about foreign policy and immigration at North Charleston Theater-North Charleston, SC
Talking to workers at the Boeing Plant-North Charleston, SC
Dinner at Husk with the local Chamber of Commerce-Charleston, SC

July 6
Meet and greet at Berlin Marketplace-Berlin, NH
Interview with local news crew-Berlin, NH
Barnstorm-Whitefield, NH
Meet voters-Littleton, NH
Reddit AMA in the evening and moneybomb all day long

July 7
Town hall-Conway, NH
Lunch with war vets-Freedom, NH
Rally about personal liberty-Laconia, NH
Seek endorsement from State Rep. Edmond Gionet where Buddy and Edmond discuss in depth the benefits of lowering drug penalties, forcing disclosure of donations, and school choice, issues which both candidates agree on
Rally in the town square about income inequality-Lebanon, NH

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Buddy Roemer Statement
"I'm deeply saddened to hear of the health issues ravaging the Fiorina and Clinton families. I'm hoping for the full recovery of Frank Fiorina and Mrs. Clinton. May God bless them as they continue on the path to hopeful full recovery and health once again."

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Buddy Roemer Schedule

July 8
Speech in Wells Fargo Arena-Des Moines, IA
Fundraising picnic-Des Moines, IA
Meeting voters downtown-Des Moines, IA
Talking to Drake University students about college costs-Des Moines, IA
Calling Andrew Napolitano for an endorsement. We agree on the need for a less intrusive government with a smarter foreign policy.

July 9
Meeting voters-Ames, IA
Press Conference-Waterloo, IA
Speech to farmers about the need for legal hemp-Cresco, IA
Fundraiser dinner with Rep. Rod Blum and St. Sen. Roby Smith-Davenport, IA
Seek endorsement from former US Rep. Jim Leach. Both Buddy and Jim agree on having a smarter foreign policy and fixing our broken campaign finance system.

July 10
Meet and greet-Las Vegas, NV
Town Hall-Las Vegas, NV
Fundraiser-Las Vegas, NV
Phone call with NM governor Susana Martinez about an endorsement. Both Susana and Buddy recognize a need to end gridlock in Washington and get things done.

July 11
Meet and greet-Reno, NV
Speech about civil liberties-Carson City, NV
Meet and greet-Sacramento, CA
Meeting with Rep. Devin Nunes for an endorsement. We will talk about agricultural policy and drought management. Buddy wants to help American farmers by loosening regulations.

"Look, I believe that the federal government has no place snooping in our lives. Police forces look like the military, the government watches our every move and it HAS TO STOP!"

July 12
Touring a tech company-San Jose, CA
Fundraiser with Silicon Valley Execs from Lincoln Lab-San Jose, CA
Talking to college students-Berkeley, CA
Meet and greet-Eureka, CA

"We need a more tech-oriented federal government. Government is too damn inefficient these days and needlessly so. It's time to move towards high-power computerized recordkeeping at agencies and eliminate redundancies and fraud by using tech."

July 13
Fly to New Hampshire
Meet and greet-Portsmouth, NH
Dinner with local Republicans-Dover, NH

July 14
Press conference-Concord, NH
Meet and greet-Effingham, NH
Town hall-Casco, ME
Seek endorsement from Rep. Bruce Polinquin, a fellow problem solver who cares about America's future. Buddy and Bruce have a productive conversation about banking, EPA overreach, and more.

Endorsers
Rep. Rod Blum will be getting Buddy name recognition in his district
Roby Smith will hand out Buddy for President campaign lit to constituents
Rep. Walter B. Jones will talk to voters about Buddy
Bob Inglis will embark on a pro-Roemer speaking/fundraising tour of South Carolina
Edmond Gionet will talk to voters about Buddy

Walter Jones: "Listen, folks. Buddy knows what he's talking about. A balanced budget, leaving unnecessary conflicts, breaking up the biggest banks."

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AD-Experience

"Buddy Roemer might just be the most experienced candidate in the GOP field. He spent years in congress, fighting for legislation to protect American citizens. He was Louisiana's 52nd governor, and while holding that office, he tackled a whopping budget deficit and a staggering amount of bureaucracy. Buddy founded Business First Bank and created jobs, all while running a highly successful community bank worth millions of dollars. There's no doubt that Buddy Roemer has the experience, leadership, and track record to lead. He just needs your support."

Ad running in:

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Buddy Roemer Presser

REPORTER: "How do you react to the news of the various candidates dropping out?"
BUDDY: "It comes to me as no surprise that candidates are dropping like flies. I was hearing a lot of the same from the field anyway. Bush, Trump, Quayle, Rubio; it's been interesting to see this latest crop. Perhaps most fascinating is Bush's endorsement of Bill Gates. I'm a bit surprised for sure."

REPORTER: "Some have accused you of being a liberal. How do you deal with these attacks"
BUDDY: "I let my record field the attacks. I paid down Louisiana's deficit, which is something most other conservatives in this field haven't been able to do. I consistently stood for life as a representative and governor. Also, as a community businessman, I've always supported regulatory relief for small business and a simplification of the tax code as a whole. I'm more conservative than most others."

REPORTER: "Which other Republicans do you like, if any? Also, what makes you different?"
BUDDY: "Everybody's got important ideas to contribute. I like Rand Paul's focus on smaller government. It's an important message. Moreover, I appreciate John Kasich's focus on helping the poor. However, I see the rest as Wall Street candidates. I'm the only candidate who's pledged to fight inequality using the free market. I'm the only fighter for Main Street and not Wall Street."

REPORTER: "What do you think about dealing with ISIS?"
BUDDY: "We need responsible solutions. A ground war, as suggested by folks like Cruz and Walker, is not smart. It's fiscally irresponsible, ineffective, and leads to a high loss of life. We need to ramp up our drone strikes and provide military aid to allied governments willing to fight ISIS. Moreover, the denizens of Africa and the Middle East need help. It's the US' role to provide humanitarian aid through a new 'Marshall Plan'. I'd call it the 'Be a Buddy Plan'. Not only does this help those who need it, but it also prevents radicalization and builds long term alliances."

REPORTER: "How would you react to Putin's expansionary sentiment?"
BUDDY: "America must ramp up our diplomatic and economic presence in Eastern Europe. Moreover, economic sanctions against Russia should be stronger."

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Buddy Roemer General Schedule

July-January
July
Fundraise heavily using the internet
Meet with Governor Branstad
Barnstorm in Iowa (With Jim Leach and Rod Blum) and South Carolina (With Bob Inglis)
Reach out to Young Republican groups
Emphasizing Buddy's credentials
Approach fmr. Iowa SoS Matt Schultz for an endorsement
August
Bus/Barnstorming tour up the east coast (Charleston, WV-Caribou, ME)
Focus on increasing name recognition in New England through Town Halls in NH, MA, VT, and ME
Fundraising online
Flesh out issue responses
Approach fmr. Senator Olympia Snowe, fmr. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, and fmr. MA Governor William Weld for endorsements
Visit Iowa too
September
Barnstorming throughout Nevada to get name recognition
Talking to Republicans in Nevada and California
Holding Town Halls in New Hampshire and courting Libertarian-leaning voters
Rallying and touring small towns in Iowa
Opening offices across Iowa
Holding moneybombs online for fundraising
Approach fmr. NM Governor Gary Johnson, fmr. Rep. Richard Baker, and various Iowa state reps  for endorsements
October
Attacking Ted Cruz's extremism on the trail
Barnstorming tour (IA, NE, KS, MO, OK, TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC)
Meeting voters in South Carolina
Opening offices in South Carolina
Approach fmr. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, Louisiana State Senate President John Alario, Louisiana Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, and fmr. Louisiana Lt. Gov Paul Hardy for endorsements
November
Visiting the rest of Iowa's counties and increasing name recognition
Fundraising via small donors
Building up social media popularity
Courting the Libertarian-leaners in Iowa
Touring IL, MN, and WI
Thanksgiving with the family in Des Moines
Meet with members of the Ripon Society, Karen Kwiatkowski, and call Kansas Rep. Barbera Bollier for endorsements
December
Fundraising and organizing in Nevada
Big surge in online fundraising
Organizing volunteers at our Iowa offices
Organizing volunteers in New Hampshire
Barnstorming in Iowa, Nevada, and South Carolina
Town halls in New Hampshire
Christmas with the family in Manchester, NH
Meet with NH Insurance Commissioner Roger Sevigny, NH State Rep. William Infantine, and fmr. US House candidate Marilinda Garcia for endorsements

Roemer for President Ads

1. Sick and Tired Social Media: Nationwide
"Like this page and donate here if you're sick and tired of DC gridlock, special interests, and a government that's too damn big!"

2. Values Radio: Iowa, SC
"Buddy Roemer lives out the same values that everyday Americans swear by. Hard work, determination, resilience, and a passion for helping others. Through his time in congress and as governor of Louisiana, Buddy Roemer became accustomed to fighting for the American taxpayer, be it against ridiculous earmarks, amnesty, wall street, or gun control. Vote for your Buddy, vote Roemer."

3. Big Brother Radio: Nevada, New Hampshire
"Reading our emails, watching our every move, censoring our internet. The big government/big business axis keeps getting more intrusive, which is why I support American privacy rights and an end to crony capitalism. Business and the government have teamed up, and I'm here to keep them both under control! Vote for your Buddy, vote Roemer.

4. Unfair TV: New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Michigan, Ohio
"I look around and see shuttered factories, closing family farms, and a broken immigration system. This is happening because both parties let it be. Nobody stood up and stopped irresponsible trade deals. Nobody stepped up for the family farmers when DC unloaded even more regulations onto them. Nobody fought for the small businesses when Obamacare passed. It's time for a change of course. I believe in fair trade that protects American jobs and borders. I pledge to renegotiate NAFTA if elected president. I believe in simplifying the tax code to be more business friendly and fairer. I believe in a better future, which is why I ask you to stand with me!

5. Life TV: Iowa, South Carolina
"Everybody else says they're pro-life, but let's have a look at their record. Yes, most of the others are anti-abortion, just like Buddy Roemer. However, it soon becomes clear that the GOP field by and large isn't pro life. Most of the field supports foreign entanglements that lead to thousands of deaths. Most of them support the death penalty too. Buddy Roemer stands against the anti-life trifecta, abortion, war, and the death penalty. Vote life, vote for a Buddy.

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Not to be rude viva but how will Marilindia Garcia who I've met and Matt Schultz who is Ted Cruzs Iowa chairman who both are in the tea party endorse a LIBERAL REPUBLICAN.

Buddy Roemer's not a liberal Republican.

"I stand with the Tea Party in opposing the foolish Obama/Bush bailout of Wall Street and Stimulus Packages. I oppose the ACA. I oppose amnesty. I'm pro-life. As somebody who's talked to Occupy Wall Street although I think their solutions are generally not correct, I sense the same anger in the Tea Party and Occupy, and I'm the candidate who stands against big government and crony capitalism. I speak for the angry voters in America."

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Roemer's Schedule January 3-9

January 3
Meet and greet with Keene State Students-Keene, NH
Town hall about the economy at Dartmouth University-Hanover, NH
Sunset speech about free trade-Sunapee, NH
Dinner with local Republicans-Claremont, NH
Meet with: NH Rep. Phil Straight, NH Rep. Jack Flanagan

January 4
Fundraiser-Marlborough, NH
Rally about foreign policy-Nashua, NH
Meeting the local Republican-Nashua, NH
Meet and greet-Hudson, NH

"Ted Cruz tried to call us irrelevant as he tricks voters into following him into a bloody Middle Eastern ground war struggle. This will cost millions of lives and dollars alike. Have we forgotten the words of George Washington? NO MORE unconstitutional foreign occupation! Iraq was a mistake that Cruz, Haslam, Ehrlich, and Kasich want to repeat."

January 5
Meet and greet-Derry, NH
Town hall-Merrimack, NH
Touring small businesses-Manchester, NH
Rally about immigration-Manchester, NH
Meet with: NH Rep. David Luneau

January 6
Meet and greet-Burlington, VT
Meet and greet-Syracuse, NY
Speech about jobs to the Syracuse College Republicans-Syracuse, NY
Rally about regulation-Rochster, NY
Meet with: NY-27 Rep. Chris Collins

"College costs too much these days. However, as a liberty loving Republican I don't support big government forcefully lowering prices. We need a strong free market solution."

January 7
Flight to Des Moines
Fundraiser dinner-Des Moines, IA
Meet and greet-Logan, IA
Rally about pro-life stances-Sioux City, IA
Meet with: Liberty Iowa representatives

January 8
Meet and greet-Le Mars, IA
Talking to farmers about overbearing agriculture regulations-Germantown, IA
Rally about gun rights-Estherville, IA
Speech about inequality-Waterloo, IA
Town hall-Waterloo, IA

"Inequality is staggering right now. I don't support class warfare and I don't support the ridiculous stratification that currently exists. The 1% is playing us like puppets through lobbying and super PACs! Stand with me against the vested DC-Wall Street interests! I oppose corporate welfare."

January 9
Fundraiser-Cedar Rapids, IA
Rally downtown about jobs-Cedar Rapids, IA
Talking to Iowa University students-Iowa City, IA
Meet and greet-Iowa City, IA
Meet with IA Senator Tim Kapucian

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Gary Locke would like a Private Debate with Buddy Roemer.... if it is okay with everyone.....

It's cool with Buddy. How do you want to do this?

"1v1 me m8."

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After talking to Dar I have decided to come back in, Governor Branstad never got sick and his endorsements are staying with him. I'm really sorry for all those who have asked for my endorsement but this is for certain. Terry Branstad is once again running for President.

Yay for miraculous cures!

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BREAKING NEWS: BUDDY ROEMER LEAVES GOP RACE, EXPLORING REFORM PARTY BID

"Today, i had to make a tough decision. We've been watching the polls closely here at HQ and it appears that we're not only behind just about every other GOP contender, and their big special interest money makes it hard for me to catch up. This corrupt primary system relies too much on money for my tastes, so I'm dropping out of the GOP race and will give some time to test the waters for a Reform Party bid for the presidency. Citizens United has made it impossible for a candidate unbeholden to PACS and Wall Street to win. It's quite clear that what Ross Perot emphasized nearly 25 years ago still applies. We need to shrink bureaucracy and cut spending while protecting poor Americans and tackling trade imbalance. The Obama years have failed us, but I'm afraid the Cruz, Ehlrich, Kasich, Locke, or Gore years will fail us too. I'll still gladly participate in the healthcare forum, because at the end of the day, I'm here for the American taxpayer, not my own political gain. As I continue my exploratory efforts, I'll be releasing statements analyzing the remaining candidates' plans. I ask that my endorsers stick with me until I make a final decision on the Reform Party run."

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Buddy Roemer Announcement

"After a long process of deliberation, I'm announcing the end of my campaign. I realize that to fight my way up through a third party bid will be nearly impossible, and it seems that we haven't gained much traction in the field. Thus, I believe my endorsement can make some waves and get some of our issues to the forefront of the debate. I am announcing today, my endorsement of Governor Bill Haslam! Governor Haslam has a great record as Tennessee governor, and while I don't see eye to eye with him on all of the issues, he stands against irresponsible trade and for limiting Wall Street and big union money in politics. As a DC outsider, I think he'll do a dandy job showing the bureaucrats to the exit door. Thank you all who have supported me through this time, financially and sentimentally. It's been a good ride, but I feel that it would be an unsustainable venture to continue. I'll be glad to work with Governor Haslam on his journey to the White House!"