Campaign Notes Independents

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Was billionaire H. Ross Perot serious when he declared his availability for a presidential draft? In making his surprise announcement on CNN's Larry King Live last month, the Texas businessman said he would enter the race as an independent -- but only if supporters collected the 800,000 or so signatures necessary to get him on the ballot in all 50 states. He inspired volunteers sporting ROSS IS MY HOSS buttons to launch petition drives in many states.

Perot calls for a radical populism using citizens' input to attack economic and social problems. To fund the national debt, he would ban deficit spending, bill Japan and Europe for defense costs and overhaul the tax system. He would also sell government planes to curb travel costs, shorten political campaigns and pressure Congressmen to give up re-election war chests.

It is too early to tell how many state ballots Perot can get on, but one thing is certain: Perot need not worry about raising money. Says he: "We will not fail for lack of funds."