Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Wishing winner well, Perot warns he may run in '96 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 92 16:16:30 EST Message-ID: \SE A;ELECTIONS '92;PEROT'S DAY \HD Wishing winner well, Perot warns he may run in '96 \BY Hugh Aynesworth \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES \DT DALLAS DALLAS - Ross Perot, in a stirring windup to his most unusual presidential campaign, hinted last night that if the Clinton administration does not achieve results satisfactory to his followers, he may run again in 1996. Once he grinned while he held a "Perot in '96" bumper sticker high. But he was magnanimous in wishing Bill Clinton well and led three "hip, hip, hoorays" for the defeated President Bush. He said the nation must come together to achieve greatness. He told his followers he hopes they stay together to push for political reforms. "As long as we're together nationwide," he said, "you will have an enormous voice in this country." When the more than 3,000 revelers in the Grand Kempinski ballroom booed Mr. Clinton, Mr. Perot stopped them and said they should immediately start working to help the president-elect. "I want everybody in the new administration to start doing such a brilliant job for the American people that we're all out in the streets cheering about February, don't you?" he shouted. If not, he teased, "you can bring out the old stray dog again." With the band playing "When the Saints Go Marching In" and "Crazy," which he called his campaign theme song, he danced around the stage with his wife and daughters. But the topic kept returning to his future as one after another shouted, "Will you do it again, Ross?" or "Will you stay with us?" "We'll keep on going as long as you want to keep on going," he said. The campaign finale, which resembled a Texas county fair with peanuts, hot dogs, popcorn and chili, was upbeat all the way. "Is there anybody here tonight who's down in the dumps? Anybody want to go home and suck his thumb?" he asked. "No," he answered himself, and the crowd responded similarly. "We can make enormous progress in this country, and we don't have four years to waste, right? We can pick up the shovel in the morning and just clean out the barn." Mr. Perot's running mate, retired Vice Adm. James Stockdale, and his wife were on the dais, as was Orson Swindle, director of Mr. Perot's United We Stand organization. Adm. Stockdale and Mr. Swindle, both prisoners of war in Vietnam for several years, led a tumultuous rendition of "God Bless America" and "America," and Mr. Perot praised them as "the real heroes of the Cold War." Mr. Perot watched the election returns at his North Dallas home until it was clear that he would not capture any electoral votes. Before he arrived, the ballroom was abuzz with news that he was carrying more than 15 percent in some states. That seemed to satisfy many of his backers, who praised his role in the campaign. "He'll be back, and next time he'll go all the way," said Nancy Stewart, a 49-year-old Dallas beautician, as she stuffed a chili dog halfway into her mouth during the rousing rally at the North Dallas hotel. "If he wouldn't have dropped out, the band would be playing a different tune right now," she said. Similar feelings permeated Perot backers who came from all over the Southwest to hear a country band and post-election remarks from their standard-bearer. David Thomas, a 40-year-old dentist from nearby Terrell, said the nation could "never give this man enough credit for making people aware of the real issues" and for "bringing in many, many people who had never been involved in politics before." Harry Dale, 67, of suburban Grapevine said that if Mr. Perot had not dropped out in July, he might have won. Mr. Dale, a marketing executive, said it takes "a man like Mr. Perot to make people face up to the real issues. It was a great mistake when he dropped out back there." Clay Mulford, Mr. Perot's son-in-law and campaign legal adviser, said "tonight is not a losing proposition. He accomplished much of what he intended to." This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM