Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 14, 1995 TAG: 9508140106
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: DALLAS LENGTH: Medium
Ross Perot dangled the prospect of another presidential run Sunday as he demanded Congress act quickly on budget and political reforms, but offered his supporters little guidance for their spirited debate over how to best use their ballot clout.
Closing his three-day United We Stand America conference, Perot referred to the presidency as a ``hitch in hell'' because of constant political attacks and said he had little zeal for another independent campaign. But he would not rule out a 1996 bid, and suggested he might have no choice if Washington ignored the wishes of his loyalists.
In a closing pep talk, Perot told his supporters he ``would be nothing without you.'' But his speech was silent on the debate raging within their ranks: how Perot personally and the United We Stand organization could have the greatest influence on Congress, the 1996 election cycle and the growing independent political movement.
``No more gifts, no more cash, no more junkets, no more meals - no more nothing,'' Perot said to cheers.
In the short term, Perot said his organization would demand fast congressional action on an array of priorities, from tough campaign finance and lobbying restrictions to term limits and the balanced budget amendment.
Looking down the road, he said conference participants wanted Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security made more efficient; a simpler tax system; and a law requiring voters to approve proposed federal tax increases.
``There is a consensus that we have to do this,'' Perot said. ``Now we have to have the courage and the will to do this.''
Deeply skeptical of the promises made by Democratic and Republican leaders in two marathon days of speechmaking here, some Perot loyalists made the case during a day of workshops that he was the only hope if Washington is to clean up its politics and put the country's fiscal house in order.
``Ross Perot is still the only one that I feel that I trust to bring the good people of both parties together and do what is good for America,'' said Barbara Foster, a Connecticut homemaker.
Others, however, believe United We Stand's power - and Perot's influence - are greater if he does not run.
``I just think it makes sense for us to be a swing group that has the power to scare both parties, so that they get things done,'' said Deborah Lehmann, a hardware store owner and United We Stand activist in southern California.
Perot said anew Sunday that he favored this course.
Appearing on NBC's ``Meet the Press,'' Perot said being president was his ``worst nightmare'' but that if he ruled out a 1996 run this early, ``the odds we will get these reforms are zero.'' To guarantee he will stay on the sidelines, Perot said of the two major parties, ``They've got to stand, deliver, and do these things.''
In a brief interview, Perot said he had no timetable for deciding. ``There is no urgency,'' he said.
Russ Verney, the national United We Stand executive director, said a decision on an independent run could wait until late spring 1996. If Perot wanted to run as the candidate of a new national party, he would have to act sooner because of ballot deadlines. But Perot said he has no interest in that approach.
There was, however, considerable interest among the Perot loyalists in launching third parties in their states.
Tom Blomquist, a leader in the infant New Jersey Conservative Party, said Perot supporters from 12 additional states had pledged to form third parties. For now, these efforts will proceed independently and focus on state races, ``but if we are successful in a good number, then we can meet and figure out how to convert it into a national party.''
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB