NATION/WORLD UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
9A
Wednesday, September 27, 1995
Perot may start third party
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Shaking the American political system anew, Ross Perot is pledging to form a new party that will nominate a 1996 presidential candidate and use the ballot clout of independent voters to sway congressional races.
Perot, whose 19 percent showing in the 1992 presidential race exposed deep discontent with the two major parties, said he had no plans to run as the new party's candidate. "This is not about me running for president," he said Monday night. "The last thing I want is for this thing to be about me."
But he did not rule it out.
President Clinton had little to say when asked today about Perot's dramatic announcement. "I'm an ardent promoter of political reform, as you know," Clinton said. "But he'll have to do whatever he wants to do and the American people can make their judgment."
House Speaker Newt Gingrich said that Perot was making a substantial mistake. "I think third parties are a fantasy of delusion — that you're going to go out and do things differently," he said.
Ross Perot
Perot said organizing the Independence Party would begin this week in California and move next to Ohio and Maine, all of which have 1995 deadlines to qualify for
1996 ballots. He said the party's platform would mirror that of his United We Stand America group, including dramatic campaign and lobbying reforms, as well as a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
He said he had no candidate in mind. When asked about retired Gen. Colin Powell, who is considering a 1996 run as a Republican or independent, Perot said, "Certainly we want people of that stature and quality."
Powell, during a morning appearance in California Today, said he had talked with Perot over the weekend about the plan but made no commitment.
"I'll watch and wait and see how this initiative develops and keep my
Most Republicans believe they have the most to lose if Perot runs again, given the conservative tilt of his support since the 1982 elections.
options open," Powell said.
"It's a 'deja-lose' formula that would make 1996 a rerun of 1992," said GOP presidential hopeful Lamar Alexander, the former Tennessee governor.
But GOP Chairman Haley Barbour yesterday said that if Republicans
keep their promises to balance the budget and r e f o r m Medicine, two Perot priorities, a Ross Perot party would never materialize.
Perot said he was leaving open the slim
possibility that the effort could stop at the end of the year — if polls now showing 60 percent of Americans open to the idea of a third party suddenly shift and indicate growing satisfaction with Democrats or Republicans.
the Independence Party, or the Reform Party in states such as California, where a conflict prevents use of the Independence name. The deadline to qualify there is just one month away.
"We want world-class people," he
If the new party qualifies nationally, Perot said it would open its presidential nominating process to anyone with the backing of 10 percent of party members.
The new venture would be named
sad on ONIL's "Larry King Live." "Some weirdo is not going to get 10 percent of our votes."
The group then would choose a presidential nominee through a convention process.
ess, beginning next spring. Petro said it was possible, but highly unlikely, that the party could back one of the major-party candidates.
He said the new party would not field congressional candidates but would endorse candidates from the major parties.
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Tuesday, October 3, 1995
Malot Room, Kansas Union
7:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Facilitators:
Peer Educators
Cindy Allay, Police Officer, KU
Community Education Media Unit (CEUM)
Barbara W. Ballard, Director,
The Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center
Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Program
(SSAP) Center, 115 Strong Hall.
Former介导, contact Rachel Lee at 846-3552.
Present
Def Comedy Jam
Black Student Union and Powerhouse Productions
Featuring: Cherly Underwood Darius Bradford Lavell Crawford and Roman Murray
- Kansas Union Ballroom
- Friday, September 29, 1995
- 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
- $5.00 with a college ID / $10.00 without
- Tickets available at SUA Box Office
AFTER PARTY
Kansas Union Ballroom
FREE with ticket stub
Featuring D.J. Charlie Chan
11:00 p.m.- 2:00 a.m.
more information call BSU at 86
For more information call BSU at 864-3984
We Are Looking for a Few Good Seniors.
1996 HILLTOPPER Awards
- Forms are available at 400 Kansas Union (OAC desk) or 428 Kansas Union (Jayhawker Office).
- Nominations must be turned in by October 5 at 5p.m.
Nominees will then receive an application.
Anyone may nominate a graduating senior.
Jayhawker Yearbook
428 Kansas Union
864-3728