GREENLAND — Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer on Thursday told local Rotarians that he is the best candidate in the Republican presidential primary because he avoids special interest groups and puts America before his own party.

GREENLAND — Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer on Thursday told local Rotarians that he is the best candidate in the Republican presidential primary because he avoids special interest groups and puts America before his own party.



"I'm a proud Republican, but I'm a prouder American," Roemer told a crowd of Rotarians and guests at Portsmouth Country Club.



Roemer, Louisiana's governor from 1988 to 1992 and a four-term member of Congress, admitted he may be lesser known nationwide but is by far the most qualified.



"I'm running for president and no one knows me," he said. "I'm the only guy running for president who's been both a congressman and a governor."



Having been out of office for nearly two decades, Roemer said it was the current field of candidates that sparked him to re-enter politics. He said while he knows all of the other candidates well, he would never vote for any of them.



"There are decent people running, but there's not a president there," he said.



Roemer said the problem with the current candidates is that they cater to special interest groups. "You know who controls America?" he said. "Special interest groups do."



As a former Democrat turned Republican, Roemer said his issues with the presidential field include President Barack Obama, whom he called a "weak" leader who has only made problems in America worse.



"I love it when we Republicans talk about the president like he's brought anything to the table," he said. "I don't blame him for this recession; he just made it permanent."



Roemer said he also understands how important the first-in-the-nation primary is — so much so that he recently rented a small apartment in Manchester that costs him $738 a month.



Having attended Harvard University, Roemer said he spent a great deal of time in New Hampshire, particularly at the home of Robert Frost in Derry.



"I'm a Frost man," he said.



Roemer also discussed issues with Rotarians by saying he is an advocate for increasing domestic oil drilling, eliminating the federal Department of Energy and dramatically reducing government spending. He cited his campaign slogan, "Free to Lead," as the reason why he's the best candidate.



"I don't have all the answers, but I'm old enough to know what to do and I'm young enough to get it done," said the 67-year-old. "I can't change the world, but I can have a small role in changing America.



"Here I come, New Hampshire; I'm not going away."