Perot Says ‘No’ To Another Run For President; Is Building Party

Billionaire Texas businessman Ross Perot answered “no” Thursday when asked if he would run for president again but said it’s likely the new party he’s forming will field a candidate.

Asked directly if he would run for president this year, Perot said: “No, we are busy creating a new party that will belong to the people of the United States and not to the special interests.”

Perot said “we’re working night and day” organizing that party and getting on the ballot, instead of focusing on another race.

“My job is helping create that party,” Perot said. “We’re not talking about a Ross Perot candidacy. We’re talking about creating a new party for the American people.”

Asked again if he would launch a second run for the White House, Perot said: “No, this is not about me. This is about getting the party created so the people have a choice.”

While appearing to rule out a second race for the White House, Perot is a maverick known for shooting from the hip and often changing course. During his 1992 run, he dropped out of the race during the summer, then got back in within a matter of months and was a force in the election.

Both political parties are closely watching Perot for a decision on his intentions this year, mindful of the effect he had when he ran in 1992. Running as a third-party candidate, Perot captured 19 percent of the popular vote.

Most analysts say Perot drained enough support away from then President Bush to hand the election to Bill Clinton. Republicans are worried about a repeat of that in 1996.

President Clinton’s strategists have said they are building into their political planning the assumption that there would be major candidates beyond the two parties.

While saying he wasn’t running, Perot did make it clear he wants his new party to be a force this year. Asked if the new party would field a presidential candidate in 1996, Perot said: “Absolutely, unless one of the two parties comes up with George Washington the second.”

Perot later modified that to say “we will reserve the right to endorse their candidate” if it is acceptable contender. Asked about the current crop of candidates, Perot declined to comment.

His comments were made during a taping of Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press” program to be aired later this month.