Buddy Roemer Takes Aim at Newt Gingrich

Former Gov. Buddy Roemer of Louisiana, a dark-horses candidate for the Republican nomination who is also gunning for the Americans Elect nomination, came out swinging at former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

"Over the last several weeks, Newt Gingrich has challenged anyone and everyone (almost) in the presidential field to a series of Lincoln-Douglas-style debates. Well, Mr. Gingrich, you are no Lincoln. And for that matter, youre no Douglas, said Roemer in a statement. The concept of a Lincoln-Douglas debate goes back to 1858 when Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas debated one of the most important issues of their time, the issue of slavery. What weighty issues are addressed in these debates? Theyre a circus.

"I challenge Speaker Gingrich to a one-on-one debate to address the issue -- the only one not being discussed: money in politics. Lets hold it here in New Hampshire, where the first-in-the-nation primary has been overshadowed by pandering to national media outlets; where retail politics has been disregarded for carefully staged book tours, added Roemer.

"If Gingrich wont debate me, I wont be sad. There are obviously topics he prefers to discuss, candidates he prefers to debate, and those he wishes to avoid. I wont suggest hes picking contests he knows he can win because hes afraid of losing. But if he wont explain to the American people where he gets his money and what favors he owes to special interests, then he certainly isnt qualified to be president. A president should be free to lead."