Perot Refuses Reform Party Bid to Thwart Buchanan Candidacy

Ross Perot rejected supporters’ efforts to put his name on the Reform Party’s primary ballot Friday, clearing a hurdle for Pat Buchanan’s presidential bid.

Russell Verney, Perot’s spokesman, said the Texas billionaire decided against running in the primary because he had no intention of actually competing for the White House against Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore.

“Ross Perot will not appear on the Reform Party nomination ballot,” Verney told Associated Press.

A daylong series of meetings at Perot’s office in Dallas included “intense pressure” on the two-time candidate to put his name on the ballot in an effort to stop Buchanan, Verney said. But Perot resisted such a “negative reason” for running and also felt it would be unethical to seek the presidential nomination but not actually run, Verney added.

Though Perot declined to make a statement about the situation Friday, he is said to be dissatisfied with Buchanan’s candidacy. Verney said Perot might make a public statement about his feelings before the party’s nominating convention, which will be Aug. 10 through 13 in Long Beach.