Who the hell is Tim Roemer where did his name came from? More importantly, why has he become the front-runner over our beloeved "reform" candidates for DNC Chairman?
CNN has the details
Reid and Pelosi are backing former Indiana congressman and 9/11 commission member Tim Roemer in the multi-candidate race, according to senior Democratic party sources.
With their support, Roemer immediately has an advantage over the declared candidates, former presidential candidate Howard Dean and former Clinton aide Harold Ickes.
Now before everyone gets fired up, there is more below the jump...
The former Congressman Roemer has not indicated that he is running for the Chair of the DNC, but one must wonder why else Reid and Pelosi would both come out and support a candidate if he wasn't.
For Harry Reid, this follows a pattern of support for anyone but Howard Dean.
CNN continues...
Roemer's experience on the 9/11 commission, together with the fact that he comes from a "red state" -- one that voted for President Bush -- were decisive factors in Reid's decision to back him, the sources said.
I am tired of this nonsense that our best candidates for important offices have to hail from red states, or red parts of states.
But before we all start calling for Harry Reid's head, and asking Tim Roemer to stay home in the race for DNC Chair, let's learn more about the man, shall we?
From his 9/11 commission biography
Tim Roemer is president of the Center for National Policy (CNP) and a distinguished scholar at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, a non-profit research and educational institution dedicated to improving public policy outcomes. Prior to joining CNP, Roemer was a partner at Johnston and Associates. From 1991-2003, Roemer represented the Third District of Indiana in the U.S. House of Representatives...
So, that's that. And we thought we knew more about how the process was going to unfold after the meetings in Orlando.
I am sure Roemer will not be the last name that is tossed into the mix. From everything I have read, it is a pretty wide open field. For those of us that have already selected our "reform" candidate of choice, we now have another name to contend with.
Nothing we cannot overcome.
I will close with Roemers's positions on various issues for those that wish to read on. They are a mixed bag from his "issues 2000" webpage
Thanks for listening,
Tim
Tim Roemer on the Issues
# Voted YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
# Voted YES on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes. (Apr 2001)
# Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortions. (Apr 2000)
# Voted YES on barring transporting minors to get an abortion. (Jun 1999)
# Voted YES on Constitutional amendment prohibiting Flag Desecration. (Jul 2001)
# Voted NO on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
# Voted YES on requiring states to test students. (May 2001)
# Voted NO on allowing vouchers in DC schools. (Aug 1998)
# Voted NO on vouchers for private & parochial schools. (Nov 1997)
# Voted NO on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. (Mar 1994)
# Voted NO on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
# Voted YES on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
# Voted YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
# Voted NO on allowing suing HMOs, but under federal rules & limited award. (Aug 2001)
# Voted NO on Prescription Drug Coverage under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
# Voted YES on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
# Voted NO on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. (Oct 1999)