Romney Represents The 1 Percent And Gingrich Is Their Lobbyist

Original Link: http://thinkprogress.org/special/2011/12/02/381013/gop-presidential-candidate-roemer-romney-represents-the-one-percent-and-gingrich-is-their-lobbyist/

By Zaid Jilani

GOP presidential primary candidate and former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer has distinguished himself from the rest of the field by allying himself with the 99 Percent, visiting Occupy Wall Street and Occupy D.C., and running on a platform of attacking Big Money and special interest influence in politics.

This afternoon, during an appearance on MSNBC, Roemer took both the media and his opponents in the race to task. Roemer told MSNBC that he has yet to hear a single question from debate moderators about where the leading candidates are getting their money from. He also concluded that former Massachussetts Gov. Mitt Romney represents the 1 Percent and that Newt Gingrich is their lobbyist:

ROEMER: [Addressing MSNBC anchor] I have yet to hear a question from you political experts during the debate about where did you get your money?

(crosstalk)

ROEMER: I know, I didn’t mean to pick on you for it, I’m sorry. But I am passionate about this. Look, there is a difference between the one percent who rule the country and the ninety-nine who suffer their mistakes. I believe that Mitt Romney represents the one percent and I believe that Newt Gingrich is the lobbyist for the one percent.

Watch it:


The New Hampshire Union Leader editorial board agrees that Romney represents the 1 Percent, as publisher Joe McQuaid said his paper refused to endorse the former Massachusetts governor for this reason. Although he never registered as a lobbyist, Gingrich has had a long career as an influence peddler since leaving office, working for the ethanol industry, oil industry, health interests, and Information Technology companies, for starters.