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NewsSeptember 27, 1992

Missouri's 8th District supporters of Ross Perot want the Texas businessman to restart his independent presidential candidacy, says Mary Martin, chairman of the Perot steering committee for the district. "The results of our informal polls throughout the district have indicated overwhelmingly that our volunteers are behind Ross Perot to come back and run for the presidency," said Martin at news conference in North Cape Girardeau County Park. Friday...

Missouri's 8th District supporters of Ross Perot want the Texas businessman to restart his independent presidential candidacy, says Mary Martin, chairman of the Perot steering committee for the district.

"The results of our informal polls throughout the district have indicated overwhelmingly that our volunteers are behind Ross Perot to come back and run for the presidency," said Martin at news conference in North Cape Girardeau County Park. Friday.

"We think he is the best man for the job," said Martin. "Perot stated this week that he may have made a mistake in pulling out, that neither Bush nor Clinton have addressed many of the issues that face the American people.

"Perot, in an appearance on CBS Television Tuesday, said that there was too much talk about Murphy Brown and an old draft issue on the airwaves instead of discussions on the deficit and other critical issues," said Martin.

Martin said a report in The Los Angeles Times Friday that said the Texas billionaire had decided to re-enter the race was based on rumors.

"We don't know whether he's going to run or not," said Martin. "That's up to Ross Perot. But, if he follows the lead of his supporters, he will run."

The Times said sources close to Perot indicated he would make the announcement Monday on "Larry King Live" on CNN.

"We've been in touch with Perot people in every county throughout the 8th District," said Patrick Aldredge, the Perot coordinator at Jackson. "The response has been tremendous. A total of 98.5 percent of Perot volunteers support his return as a candidate."

Parot supporters met in news conferences simultaneously throughout the nation Friday to reveal the feelings of his volunteers.

"Perot requested supporters in each congressional district to get input regarding what we would like to see happen," Martin said. "We've been conducting surveys over the past two days, asking two questions: Do we feel that Bush and Clinton are dodging the real issues and do we want Perot to run for president and do so right away?"

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The answers to both of these questions were a resounding "yes," said Martin.

"We feel that Perot is the only candidate who cares enough about the future generations to accept the challenge with us to face the difficult choices and make the hard decisions that will have to be made in order for us to pass along a better country to our children," said Martin.

"Even if he doesn't declare his candidacy, we can still make our presence known," said Jim Coates of Jackson, a Perot supporter. "He's still on the ballot and I'll vote for him."

Asked about getting his platform to the people at this late date, Aldredge said the platform was set.

"Perot's platform is his book," said Aldredge. "He outlines everything he stands for in it."

The book, "United We Stand," was written by Perot this year. It is a 118-page paperback that lists Perot's first priority as that of balancing the budget.

"Perot tells us that the only way to do this is to reduce spending and generate revenues," said Martin. "We feel Perot is the man who can do this."

Martin said the majority of 8th District supporters still had confidence in Perot despite his announcement in July that he was dropping out of the race. "If he decides to run again, he will have strong support from the 8th District," said Martin.

Aldredge said he was surprised to hear Bush's remarks from Springfield last week that the Missouri Perot Coalition was swinging its support to him and the Republican Party.

"President Bush has been misinformed," said Aldredge. "We have not delivered any message that Perot has gone to the GOP. A few individuals may have switched their support, but not the Perot group as a whole."

Meanwhile, Clinton and Bush campaigns will be sending high-level officials to Dallas to meet with Perot, who invited representatives of both camps to meet with him and his volunteers. Deficit reduction the key subject.

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