Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 26, 1995 TAG: 9509260078
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN KING ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
In a turnabout that could dramatically reshape the 1996 elections, Ross Perot vowed Monday night to establish a new, reform-minded political party that would nominate a presidential candidate and try to swing congressional races.
Perot, whose 19 percent showing in the 1992 presidential race exposed the deep discontent with the two major parties, said he had no intention to run as the new party's standard bearer.
``This is not about me running for president,'' he said. ``The last thing I want is for this thing to be about me.'' But he did not rule it out.
He said he had no candidate in mind and refused to suggest prospects. Of Colin Powell, Perot said, ``Certainly, we want people of that stature and quality.''
Perot said his United We Stand America political organization would spearhead efforts to certify a new party in California, Maine and Ohio - all of which have 1995 deadlines to qualify a new party for the 1996 ballot.
He said on CNN's ``Larry King Live,'' he would pause to see if voters believe the Democratic and Republican parties have answered concerns. If not, the effort would continue in the other 47 states.
``It will not be owned by the special interests,'' Perot said.
The new venture would be named the Independence Party, or the Reform Party in states where a conflict prevents use of the Independence name, he said. The party would open its presidential nominating process to anyone who could get the backing of 10 percent of the new party's members.
The party then would choose a nominee through a nationwide convention process next spring. He said it was possible, but highly unlikely, that the party would back one of the major party candidates.
He said the new party would not field congressional candidates, or at least not on any widespread basis.
Perot said its agenda would mirror that of United We Stand: campaign finance and lobbying reforms including a gift ban, trimming congressional and presidential pensions and balancing the budget.
``This is not a vehicle for a Perot campaign,'' said Joan Vinson, the Maryland executive director.
``If he wanted to run for president, there is a lot easier route available,'' said Platt Thompson, the United We Stand executive director in California.
If the effort succeeds, Vinson said, the party could offer ``a candidate like Colin Powell or Bill Bradley or Ross Perot or Sam Nunn.''
State requirements for certifying a new party vary widely. Generally, third-party and independent candidates seeking to get on the ballot in Virginia have until mid-August of the election year to file petitions signed by 0.5 percent of the state's registered voters.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB