Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 16, 1995 TAG: 9507110109
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHICAGO TRIBUNE
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Medium
But at least the governor was talking this week, and his words on Thursday were meant to settle any questions about his political ambitions.
``Let there be no doubt in anyone's mind: I am running for president,'' Wilson said in a nationwide telephone conference call with 600 supporters.
With that statement, Wilson tried to reassure voters and potential campaign donors that two months of forced silence, missed opportunities and negative publicity would not keep the Republican out of the 1996 presidential race.
He announced that he would make a ``declaration of candidacy'' next week on the ``Larry King Live'' talk show, a popular forum for politicians since Ross Perot's 1992 presidential campaign.
Wilson, 61, has not been able to formally announce his candidacy because he was not able to speak. What was supposed to have been minor throat surgery in April left Wilson mute for a crucial two months when he had hoped to be introducing himself to American voters.
With his throat still not completely healed, Wilson's aides said, he would not be campaigning full steam until sometime in July, and the news led some political analysts to question whether the governor now has enough time to build support and undo the negative images that have dogged his campaign.
``The clock is starting to be one of Pete Wilson's greatest opponents,'' said Stuart Rothenberg, an independent political commentator in Washington.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB