Ross Perot on Principles & Values
Withdrew from 1992 race under mysterious circumstances
[In the 1992 race], national polls showed Perot at 19%. With just two weeks left before the election, Perot had momentum. But Perot decided to disclose his “real reason” for temporarily withdrawing from the race the previous July. On Oct. 25, 1992,
Perot startled viewers of 60 Minutes when he announced: “I received multiple reports that there was a plan to embarrass [my daughter Carolyn] before her wedding and to disrupt her wedding. I concluded that I, as a father who adores his children,
could not take that risk.“ Perot also charged that the Republicans were about to release ”a computer-created false photo of my daughter Carolyn.“ He did not explain what he meant.
Perot did, however, state that the sources for these stories were three
people-one a highly placed Republican whom he has never named; the second source a ”longtime friend,“ later identified as David Taylor, a BBC producer; and Scott Barnes [a mercenary soldier whom Perot knew from the Vietnam MIA issue].
Source: Citizen Perot, by Gerald Posner, p.295-96
Jul 2, 1996
UWSA: Focus on issues & solutions without special interests
[The goal of participants in the United We Stand America Conference] was to help find solutions to problems. In looking for these solutions, their only filter was, “Is it good for America?” The only motivation of the participants was to leave a better
future for their children and grandchildren, and to make the 21st century the greatest in our country’s history. United We Stand America sought to achieve three goals with this conference. - We wanted to create an environment for political leaders
and citizens to come together to discuss serious problems-an environment beyond the influence of special interests.
- We wanted to create an environment where the focus would be on issues and not personalities-a place where sound bites would be
replaced with thoughtful discussion; a place where bipartisan bickering would be overcome by positive consensus.
- We hoped this conference would lead to a better-informed electorate willing to look beyond themselves to what is best for America.
Source: United We Stand America Conference, p. xiv-xv
Aug 12, 1995
Decided to run for President based on popular desire
It all started when Larry King asked Ross Perot, “Why don’t you run for President?” Perot responded by saying that he might consider running-but only if the American people clearly wanted him to. Immediately the phone lines lit up. The switchboard at
Perot’s headquarters was also swamped. Over the next several days, Perot made a handful of media appearances. Again, the response was phenomenal. Thousands of heretofore disenfranchised Americans began to cry out to Perot to save the American system
Source: Strong-Man Politics, by George Grant, p. 5-6
Nov 7, 1992
Action, not issues
Issuelessness has returned as the primary issue in the presidential campaign. Perot has attempted to turn issuelessness into a virtue. He says: “Developing policy statements is just not a priority with our volunteers. They’ve said, ‘Everyone has detailed
positions. Nobody implements them.’ Getting good positions is not the problem. Taking action in Washington is apparently an unnatural event. But that’s what the people want. If they put me there, we’ll have action.”
Source: Strong-Man Politics, by George Grant, p. 83-84
Nov 7, 1992
Perot campaign 1992: the people are the owner of the country
The Perot phenomenon that swept the country through the spring and summer of 1992 had little to do with me. It was a spontaneous grassroots movement that has transformed a deep-seated concern with our political system into a positive citizen movement for
reform. Volunteers did it, and they did it without the support of any established party, or any special interest group. There are five principles which animated this movement:The people are the owners of this country. Everyone in government works for
the people. All of us must take personal responsibility for our actions and for the actions of our government. We are a single team. We are all needed in the rebuilding of America. We can’t keep living beyond our means. The size of government
must be permanently reduced. The deficit must be eliminated. Our greatest challenge is economic competition. Our governmental policies should be redirected to stimulate growth, to create jobs, and to open opportunities for all Americans.
Source: United We Stand, by Ross Perot, p.111-13
Jul 2, 1992