STRAW POLL AT FAIR SHOWED CLINTON IN THE LEAD

A straw poll conducted by area supporters of Ross Perot from their tent at the Southeast Missouri District Fair last week showed Democratic candidate Bill Clinton as the favorite of many fairgoers.

Clinton, who led at the end of each day in the poll, got 40 percent of the votes of the 3,203 people who registered their opinion.

President George Bush got 31 percent of the votes, Perot 17 percent, and 9 percent favored none of the candidates.

Three percent of the votes were cast for write-ins, mostly names of the individuals themselves, said Gil Degenhardt, one of the leaders of Perot's effort in Southeast Missouri.

Degenhardt pointed out that although Perot is no longer a declared candidate for president, his name likely will appear on the ballot in all 50 states.

"While marking ballots in support for George Bush and Bill Clinton, many expressed previous support for Ross Perot, but unsureness of his ultimate candidacy," said Degenhardt. "A significant number were undecided while some said they would not vote at all in November."

Participation in the poll nearly doubled on Saturday, the fair's largest attendance day, but the percentages for each candidate remained about the same from what they had been for the previous few days of the fair.

The Election '92 booth had copies of Perot's book, "United We Stand," on sale. It sets out his program for dealing with America's problems and challenges.

Proceeds for Perot items sold at the fair and donations that were received will be sent to the Bureau of Public Debt, the IRS agency designated to receive contributions toward the federal deficit, Degenhardt said.