Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 22, 1992 TAG: 9203220112
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GEORGE KEGLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Smith is a Democrat and her husband, David, is a Republican "and we're both fed up," she said.
Saturday's news included the fact that supporters are encouraging the Texas billionaire to consider a run for president.
The Smiths' attitude may be exactly what Perot needs for his plans to make an independent bid for the presidency.
He hasn't announced a campaign but he's talked about it and he's already caught the eyes and ears of some voters, if a telephone poll of a dozen Roanoke residents is any measure of his appeal.
Besides Barbara Smith's interest, Perot has Inez Ripley's vote and five other people said they want to hear more about what he thinks. One was opposed, two people said they had never heard of Perot, one reserved comment and another doubts Perot has a chance.
Perot made his fortune in traditional Texas ways. Born on a cotton farm, he went to the Naval Academy and later worked for International Business Machines. He founded Electronic Data Systems and sold it to General Motors for $2.5 billion. GM later paid him another $700 million for his stock.
A political conservative and a high-profile patriot, Perot worked for the aid of U.S. hostages in Vietnam in the 1960s and he financed the rescue of two of his employees from a prison in Iran in the 1970s. He paid $15 million to own the first book printed in English and $1.5 million for the Magna Carta and donated both to institutions.
What does all that mean to Roanoke Valley voters?
Smith, who is director of the Refugee Resettlement Office in Roanoke, said she is "so sick of infighting and outfighting and scandals. Ross Perot represents at least somebody new." Smith said she has "tremendous respect for his acumen and business sense." She's for "anybody else than some of the candidates on both sides."
Ripley, who spends a lot of time watching business markets, said a Perot candidacy "would be a fine thing. The man has got some sense; he's level-headed."
Her complaint with George Bush is "that he's not minding the store. He's got his mind on re-election." Perot "has proved he can make it on his own. We need that kind of politician." Ripley is pleased that Perot "is not under any obligation to anybody or any interest." She hasn't heard "anything about his honesty and integrity" and she believes he "could turn the economy around."
One problem Perot faces is recognition. Four of the dozen people interviewed had never heard of him or had no opinion.
Dorothy Lord, a retired secretary who moved back to Roanoke after a career in New York, said she hadn't heard of him before. Perot "is just like Dan Quayle, he came out of the woodwork," she said.
Joe Stoutamire, an architect, said he knew nothing about Perot. "If he has $2 billion, a good platform would be to help pay off the national debt," he said.
Fred Banner said a Perot race for the presidency is not a good idea. "A lot of people are unemployed as a result of Perot's takeovers. He sort of took things in his own hands." Banner, vice president for data processing at Advance Auto Parts, places Perot "in the category of a ruthless businessman."
Burman Snider, a machinist for AMP Inc., said, "I can't imagine he [Perot] would do any worse than George Bush. . . . If he said the right things, I'd support him." Snider said he's "not overly enthusiastic about Bill Clinton [so] I'm wide open for suggestions."
Jim Robertson, a retired General Electric Co. shop worker, said he likes Perot's attitude toward foreign affairs. "He's conservative and he wants no salary. He's going to try to get jobs and get employment to stay in the states."
Ethel Smith, an English professor at Virginia Tech, said she likes Perot because "he's a good person. He did good work for kids in the ghetto. I don't see anybody else doing that." Smith said she "knows a lot about Perot and most of it is good. He has used his money well."
Betty Jo Johnson, a Norfolk Southern pricing clerk, said Perot's plan to seek the presidency is "a wonderful idea. . . . He's a fresh face. The others are so predictable. I like his looks."
Bush "doesn't quite do it and Clinton looks like a roustabout," she said. Johnson heard Perot tell a television audience that government should be run by the people and that the people in Washington are fighting among themselves "and he's exactly right."
Carl Mann, manager of Lotz Funeral Home in Vinton, said Perot is a long shot "and I won't say I'll vote for him, but I want to know more about him."
Bill Rakes, president of Southwest Virginia Savings Bank, said he's reserving comment on Perot because he's heard little about him.
The Rev. U.N. Broady has heard that Perot might run, "but I figured he's just blowing off steam. He probably doesn't have a chance."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB