Handshakes and “nice to see ya” greeted eager listeners at the door of the presentation of Charles “Buddy” Roemer, an Independent presidential candidate, Wednesday.

Roemer, a Louisiana native, oozes southern friendliness. As the small crowd gathered in the Qatar Ballroom, John Mayer’s “Waiting on the World to Change” filled the room, setting the stage for Roemer’s political platform.

Roemer has had a long political career. He helped rewrite the Louisiana Constitution, served four terms as a congressman and was governor of Louisiana from 1988-1992. He is also founder, CEO and president of Business First Bank located in Baton Rouge.

“I’m the only guy running who has been a congressman and a governor,” Roemer said. “I’ve seen the system up close, and I’ve fought it all of my life.”

During his political career, Roemer has been a member of both the Republican and Democratic parties. Roemer is currently a declared candidate for the Americans Elect organization.

“I’m the first candidate who went to occupy Wall Street,” Roemer said. “They were stunned that somebody in a coat and tie came and actually listened. I’ve been to Tea Party meetings. Occupy and Tea Party smell the same thing, institutional corruption.”

Fighting corruption in Washington and Wall Street is at the forefront of Roemer’s campaign.

“I’m here to be elected and clean up Washington,” Roemer said. “I’ll do it with my first bill. No lobbyist will be allowed to bring a check to a politician, or a fundraiser for a politician. You can lobby or raise money, but you cant do both.”

If elected, Roemer plans to implement a six-point plan which includes: an initiative to provide full disclosure of campaign funding, limit on political action committee donations, the abolition of super PACs, and criminal penalties on law-breaking politicians.

“I love America, but I’m afraid for its future,” Roemer said. “If we just keep sitting on the sidelines and letting special interest run things, we need to take action.”

Roemer applied these plans to his own campaign, limiting donations to $100 per citizen and he is denying all donations from PACs, super PACs and corporations.

Freshman Tori Falter said she enjoyed Roemer’s presentation.

“I didn’t really know much about him before this,” Falter said. “But he has some really strong ideas and is passionate about his cause. If he gains more support, it will be interesting to see what he does.”

Roemer uses social media to reach many of his supporters.

At the request of students, Roemer decided to kick off his college tour at Tulane University. He will be visiting 25 colleges in the next 21 days.

“Politicians tend to underestimate the power of the young,” Roemer said. “College students haven’t been intimated by politics and change.”

Freshman Gina Goorley said she was impressed with Roemer’s platform.

“I’m glad someone for Louisiana is making a national impact,” Goorley said. “He really represents the South well.”