Former U.S. Rep. and Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer is planning to push for the Republican nomination for president in 2012.
Roemer voiced his intention while giving a presentation Tuesday to a group of young entrepreneurs on campus about not fearing failure in the world of business.
Roemer told the group he is still conferring with his family and the board at Business First Bank where he is president, but he would likely make a formal announcement in March.
“In early March, I would like to go and give this type of presentation across Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina and see how it goes,” Roemer said.
In a passionate speech about his highs and lows as an entrepreneur, Roemer repeatedly digressed into his beliefs about the need for political reform in Washington.
“I think it is time for us to teach our current leadership that they can’t be corrupted by the money they are getting,” Roemer said. “I want my Congress and president to get their money from the people not from special interest. I’m going to show them how to do it, and I’m going to change the law. America is not for sale.”
Roemer also said he wouldn’t accept any campaign contributions more than $100.
“There are things all around us that we do a certain way out of habit that we don’t have to do that way,” Roemer said. “I’m going to run for president with a $100 limit. Every politician in America will laugh at me — you watch me whip their ass.”
Roemer was governor from 1988 to 1992 and likened his potential run for president to his winning run for governor against Edwin Edwards.
“He used to say, ‘The boy is sharp, but he can’t win. He won’t get the money,'” Roemer said. “I whipped his butt on that issue. It can be done.”
During most of the speech, he sounded sure of his candidacy, but he said he would rather see real change than be president.
“I’m not hungry to be president. I’m hungry to be in a country that continues to improve and is free of the corporate and special interest money,” Roemer said. “So we will see what happens. But unless I do this, it won’t change.”
Roemer was speaking to University students at the opening meeting for the student group I am Entrepreneur. Group President Kenny Nguyen said his group is for students throughout campus who want to network with other young entrepreneurs.
 
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Contact Xerxes A. Wilson at [email protected]