Perot Says Reform Party Nominee Will Be A Fresh Face

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, April 26) -- If he runs for president, Texas businessman Ross Perot can spend his considerable fortune on his campaign. If someone else becomes the Reform Party's standard-bearer, Perot could donate no more than $1,000, just like any other contributor.

Because of that and all the tantalizing hints Perot has dropped this spring, many political analysts expect him to run again this fall.

But in an interview with David Frost to be aired on public television tonight, the Texas business tycoon hinted he will not be the candidate.

Perot said the party's nominee, who will be chosen at a virtual convention around Labor Day, will be a fresh face, but not necessarily an unknown.

In other interview highlights, Perot:

Called for an end to personal attacks on President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. "If someone did that to a pet, the Humane Society would have them arrested," Perot said. "I think we are demeaning the office of the presidency."

People should talk about issues and the personal attacks on the Clintons discourage "the best people in the country to ever serve in that office," he said.
Said Clinton has grown in office and has a better staff now than early in his administrration.

"Certainly he has a lot more experience now, and he's very bright and I'm sure he has learned a great deal. And when you look at the team he has around him, that's a much more effective team than the initial team he had around him," Perot said.
Said the country still needs his new Reform Party, because Democrats and Republicans have failed to keep campaign promises, including balancing the budget. He said the nation's political system is corrupt, on par with Haiti.

Perot vowed the Reform Party will be on all 50 state ballots by the fall, although it has qualified so far in only nine states -- California, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah and Virginia.

Perot received 19 percent of the popular vote in 1992, but failed to win a single state or capture any electoral votes.

Perot Says Reform Party Nominee Will Be A Fresh Face

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