From: barrett@cloudgen1.gatech.edu (James Barrett)
Subject: PEROT: Larry King (7/17) transcript (PART 2 of 2)
Organization: Georgia Tech College of Computing
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 23:30:12 GMT


     Transcript of Larry King's Interview with Ross Perot

    Here is the text of CNN's Larry King Live interview
 Friday with Ross Perot.

    KING: With Ross Perot, again, we're holding over, and we
 thank him for joining us. Next Wednesday, our guest will be
 Vice President Dan Quayle.
    We'll go back to the calls. Stockholm, Sweden, hello.
    Q: Yes, Mr Perot--
    PEROT: How are you?
    Q: Thank you, sir, fine. Do you understand that when
 somebody like you, and after what you have generated in that
 country, which I personally as a Swede like very much your
 country, America--when somebody like you and what you have
 generated cannot pull it off, ie, if you cannot take power
 back from the established mafia in the media or in power,
 then what hope have the American people got?
    PEROT: Well, the American people are the strength in this
 effort, and they can do it. I can assist them, I can provide
 support for them. I'm certainly willing to do that, working
 together. Now, the key here in this whole effort, we've got
 to lock arms and just go do it if the people want to. We'll
 find out in a few days, and if they do, we'll be off on the
 rocket.
    KING: I'm sure you're going to let us all know if they
 do.
    PEROT: Oh, no, it will not be a secret.
    KING: Because you've got them going door to door here.
 You ought to give them a name, Ross.
    PEROT: Will not be a secret.
    KING: American something.
    PEROT: Oh, no, they will pick their--see, again, the
 typical way would be to get a New York firm to pick a name,
 pay a million bucks. No, no, we'll have a meeting, the
 people will pick the name. It'll be their name.
    KING: Austin, Texas, hello. We're on the formation of a
 3d party here tonight. I don't know what else you can call
 it. Austin, Texas, hello.
    Q: I have a comment and a question. My comment is, why
 don't we call this effort the Patriot Party. My question is,
 Mr Perot, if we the people get you on the ballot in all 50
 states, will you honor your commitment to us?
    PEROT: I feel it's much better--now, again, we're going
 to debate this, we're going to discuss it, we'll have a lot
 of fun doing it--I feel it is a much better course of action
 to give both candidates a chance to sign on to our program
 and to get every member of the House and Senate to sign on
 to our economic programs, the other fundamental programs
 that we feel are vital to the country's future.
    Then the system goes into effect January, 1993, and hums.
 We can accomplish a lot more that way than we can focusing
 on just getting 1 person in.
    KING: Obviously, he's asking, though, if you're on the
 ballot in all 50 states, if the protest vote is huge--which
 is doubtful, if everybody turns away from Republicans and
 Democrats; if elected, you will serve, I guess is what he's
 asking. If a miracle were to occur.
    PEROT: Yes, but I'll make him a big bet right now--
    KING: That you won't.
    PEROT: That between now and November, the American people
 will see an incredible sensitivity from both parties, it
 will help you rebuild your confidence in those parties and
 off we go. Now, you can't go home then. We'll have to stay
 around to keep that sensitivity alive.
    KING: Bill Clinton said that yesterday Ross Perot paid
 this party the ultimate compliment by claiming his chances
 have been erased by a revitalized Democrat party. Would you
 comment on that?
    PEROT: Well, when you look at where they were on the
 first night we talked, and when you look at where they are
 today it's an incredible turn around, Larry. That's just a
 fact.
    I deal in facts. See, and everybody takes that on out
 that I'm endorsing this. I'm endorsing nobody. That just
 happened.
    KING: Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa says, "Back to the old
 Presidential politics now. More negative campaigning."
    PEROT: Well, my proposal to the volunteers is that we
 draw a line in the sand and tell these folks to stand for
 something and just fire their opposition research teams on
 day 1. And if they don't we don't even want to hear from
 them any more.
    KING: Deerpoint, Cal, hello.
    Q: Hello. Mr Perot. Former naval officer, my respects
 sir.
    We know that Bush and Clinton can repeat your words, but
 we also know that they do not really understand the problems
 that this country faces, and worst of all, we know that they
 don't know how to solve them.
    Question: It's being speculated that the White House has
 a revealing tax item on you and the question is; Has the
 White House and the IRS illegally digging into your taxes?
    PEROT: I don't know, but when you look at how much taxes
 I've paid in my life. And I pay them right down the center
 of the field, they don't have anything like that.
    But the way the game is played today, I am certain they
 have looked at every piece of paper that the IRS has ever
 had from me, but again, I am certainly 1 of this country's
 more prolific tax payers.
    My frustration is: I don't have more to show for it. I've
 paid for front row seats. I'm sitting in the bleachers
 waiting for the team to show up.
     KING: I guess it's public record. How much taxes do you
 pay? Like in 1991.
    PEROT: All told, I wish--I looked that up.
    KING: A ballpark figure.
    PEROT: Huge numbers. The total in my life is a staggering
 number. I'm privileged to be able to do that Larry, and I'm
 glad to be able to do that. But by golly, I'd like for them
 to spend it to build something for all these good people out
 there.
    KING: We met a group from Palm Beach, Fla. When we come
 back, there's a group that's been waiting patiently. We're
 glad we're able to carry over a little, so we'll hear from
 them in Sherman Oaks, Cal. There they are. We'll be back and
 hear from Mike Norris; their Perot coordinator right after
 this break. Don't go away.
    KING: Welcome back to Larry King Live. You're looking at
 the headquarters of the Los Angeles County Perot petition
 committee. They got over a million votes. A million people
 rather signed to put--a million 4--1 million 4 hundred
 thousand people signed ballots to put Perot's name on the
 ballot in California, where it will be by the way. And in
 Sherman Oaks is Mike Norris, that committee's co-
 coordinator.
    Mike, do you have a question or comment for Ross?
    Q: Ross, how are you tonight?
    PEROT: I'm great. Listen, I still remember those 2
 rallies. That was a great day, wasn't it?
    Q: Yes. It sure was.
    Ross, for being the vehicle that allowed millions of
 Americans to unite and to teach us the real power that we
 have, we're grateful.
    I would like for you to understand however the anger
 that's out across the heartland of millions of volunteers
 who feel that we've climbed in the ring, and we're standing
 shoulder to shoulder and we don't feel that you've climbed
 into the ring with us. So please understand that anger.
    My question to you is: That as we go forward with this
 movement, as it must, we must address the social issues that
 are out there. Can we count on your financial support to
 help keep this movement alive?
    PEROT: Oh, absolutely. I'll be with you every step of the
 way in this role that we're talking about tonight. I'm
 totally comfortable that in this mode, what we're doing is
 good for our country.
    If you ever say, okay what's in Perot's mind. One thing.
 Am I doing the right thing for the country and the people? I
 don't have a personal agenda. I am very comfortable with the
 things we're talking about tonight being really good for our
 country. And I'll be delighted to participate in it and
 support it.
    KING: And chair it?
    PEROT: If they want me to, I'll be delighted to chair it,
 but that's not a cry--Let's assume, they said look Perot, we
 want your support and help, but we want you to sweep out the
 floor at night. I will play whatever role--
    KING: But you will financially support it?
    PEROT: Financially, certainly. And I'll be glad to chair
 it if they want me to and lead it. To be a spokesman for it.
 But it's so precious, and you are so incredible. I wish you
 could have been in California with me.
    KING: Mike, does this idea wet your appetite?
    Q: Absolutely. It's more important then the man. It's
 more important then any of us. We've got to keep this
 movement alive and address the issues that were terminal to
 our society in February and they are still terminal to our
 society if we don't address them.
    KING: Would you agree that you have to get started on it
 right away?
    Q: Today. Action today.
    Mr Perot, I would invite you to come out to California
 and to meet with us out here. We know that our state leader
 is there and his is 1 voice. There are lots of voices out
 here and we'd like for you to come and listen to us.
    PEROT: That's exactly what we'll do. I agree with you
 that every day is precious. Clock's ticking down. And we
 certainly will do that.
    KING: And what will you--thank you Mike. What do you want
 President Bush and Bill Clinton to do?
    PEROT: I just want to lay out a platform that includes a
 lot of things. But it's not my--
    KING: Do you want them to--
    PEROT: Excuse me. Excuse me. We've got to have all our
 volunteers to say this is our platform. And that will take a
 little time, not a lot of time. Because we have a pretty
 good consensus among us about what we want to do.
    KING: And you want them to address--
    PEROT: Then we will lay this out to them, and say now
 will you support this or not? And we'll get in great detail
 on the fundamental issues of the economy.
    KING: Will you also tell us what you think of the
 Republican and Democratic party platforms?
    PEROT: Well, you're asking me that extemporaneously. I
 think it would be better--
    KING: They're going to have a platform. Democrats have
 one, Republicans are going to have one.
    PEROT: The Republicans will. I would suggest that from
 our point of view, we're more interested in what is their
 position on these things. Let them have their platforms and
 what have you, but we'll try to certainly have everything
 the Republicans need before they announce their platform.
    We want to be fair to the Democrats and give them a
 chance to review our positions. In particular, we're totally
 focused on the country and its future.
    KING: Would you sit down with both of them?
    PEROT: Oh certainly. I'd do anything that's good for this
 country.
    KING: Would you serve both of them? Supposing President
 Bush, or President Clinton said, "Ross, I'm elected. You've
 got this big party. It's now a 3d party. Come to Washington.
 Be Secretary of Commerce."
    PEROT: I would--let's assume that this group comes
 together and does what we're talking about. I need to stay
 with this group and not get tied inside the system.
    Now, let's assume there's an emergency of some kind and
 they want me to come up and work night and day for nothing.
 Again, I would go to my volunteers and I would say I think I
 probably need to go do that. The volunteers say, "Yeah, go
 ahead and do it." I'd go do it and come back.
    KING: This is probably going to be a party, isn't it? I
 mean, I don't know what else you could call this, but a
 party.
    PEROT: I would prefer not to call it a party because I
 think we have--again, we'll debate that and the volunteers
 decide--
    KING: Okay. I don't want to give you a name. Semantics
 count.
    PEROT: We're sort of like an auditing firm here.
    Make sure that everybody's doing the right thing for the
 country.
    KING: Fort Lauderdale, Fla for Ross Perot.
    Q: Memphis, Tennesse.
    KING: I'm sorry. Memphis you're there. Go ahead.
    Q: Yeah, Mr Perot I would like to ask you can states take
 your name off the ballot without your permission, or how
 does that work?
    PEROT: Some states can, some states can't. Any state that
 wanted to take my name off the ballot; say if the volunteers 
 wanted to and it required me to do it, I'd be glad to do it.
    KING: But you are not going to be overt to do it?
    PEROT: No. No, I'm just taking the reverse case. The
 volunteers get together and say we'd like to take Perot off
 the ballot, but under the law I'd have to take myself off--
    KING: You would?
    PEROT: This is bottom line.
    KING: But you are going to do nothing overt to say take
 me off?
    PEROT: Oh no. No no. I'm just saying that's the worst
 case situation if they want me to.
    KING: Saint Paul, hello.
    Q: Hi, Ross.
    PEROT: How are you?
    Q: State coordinator from Minnesota.
    PEROT: Terrific.
    Q: We were with you from the start. We're still with you.
    PEROT: You guys are great. What are you turning in?
    Q: We're turning in next Tuesday.
    PEROT: That's what I heard today.
    Q: We've already made a big difference and that's--
    KING: Wait, wait, wait. He's talking about turning in
 what? To put Perot on the ballot in Minnesota?
    Q: Yes I am.
    KING: And you're excited about this?
    Q: Oh, we're very excited about this.
    PEROT: Oh, of course.
    KING: You're not running.
    PEROT: We've been on the phone with these guys. They are
 the greatest in Minnesota. How many did you have to have,
 and how many are you turning in?
    Q: We had 2 thousand and we're building from 50,000. We
 needed 2000 and we're building from 20.
    KING: Wait a minute. You needed 2000 votes to get on the
 ballot in Minnesota. You are 50,000 plus.
    Q: Right.
    KING: And you are excited about this even though Ross is
 taking a turn here.
    Q: That's what I'm saying. And I called to ask him when
 and where are we going to get together so we can move
 forward?
    PEROT: Okay. I've been traveling all day today. Would you
 check with your state coordinator. Find out exactly when and
 where, because I think it's being set up right now.
    KING: For like the first of the week.
    PEROT: No. It's right away. And if you--
    KING: Well, this is Friday.
    PEROT: I know. But it's like maybe this weekend. That's
 the reason I'd like you to know now.
    I was assured during the day that everybody had been
 contacted. But I'm sure you've been on the move all day
 today since you're bunting up. Check with your state
 coordinator, or call Dallas and we'll get the word right to
 you.
    KING: Ross, what would you say to the media? The
 collective media. Newspapers, print, us, television about
 covering this campaign? You've had experience from it--
    PEROT: My only suggestion is that in the whole process, I
 think, unfortunately we've created an environment where the
 best people in this country, who can do the finest job in
 Washington would not consider running for office. And people
 need to think that through and say, "Does it really--are we
 helping or hurting the process by making it so demeaning and
 negative that nobody that could really do the job will get
 near the job?"
    For example: It's getting very difficult to get people to
 take appointed positions at the cabinet level, because of
 the grueling. Now if you want to see worse case, I'd go back
 to Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill. If it ever gets any lower
 then that, I don't want to be in the country.
    KING: Can you tell me in 30 seconds--pinpoint--How bad is
 the economy, really?
    PEROT: It's in a very fragile situation.
    KING: How bad?
    PEROT: We're too far in debt. Now, keep in mind: I wish I
 could tell you. It's like a weather forecast on the economy.
 It's not like physics. You can't say exactly when it will
 break, but we're at the point now where we need to go to
 work. We need to go to work in a careful, sure footed way.
 And the White House and Congress need to work night and day
 together.
    KING: We have 1 more caller coming in from Los Angeles.
 Hello.
    Q: Hello. Ross. It's Cher. I've been trying to get you
 for days, and I guess this is the only way I'm going to be
 able to get you.
    KING: Is this Cher? Hi Cher.
    Q: Hi Larry, how are you?
    KING: How are you.
    PEROT: Good to hear your voice.
    Q: I want to tell you something. I'm so passionate about
 what you're doing, and I feel so strong. I love my country
 so much. It's done so much for me. I would be willing to
 give up everything I'm doing and come and be 1 of the
 volunteers as long as I know that if I got into it, you
 wouldn't quit and that we could really do something.
    There's no way in good conscience I could endorse
 President Bush or Bill Clinton, because I do not believe
 that either one of them either knows or cares what's best
 for the country. I think they just talk good talk and I
 don't believe that they are going to do anything. And I'm
 frightened for our country, I'm frightened for my children.
    PEROT: Here's the key. Don't worry about quitting. But as
 we go deeper and deeper, if we come up with better ways to
 do it, we will adjust and shift. But--
    Q: It's not adjusting and shifting that I worry about,
 it's that whether you like it or not, you are the focus.
 It's like you are the father of this patriot movement.
 Whether you like it or not, you have to be there. It's like
 every small movement, every child movement, every infant
 movement needs a father. And you have to be it, whether you
 like it or not.
    PEROT: I am happy to provide the leadership role. But in
 any organization I'm a part of--since human life is fragile,
 I want to make sure that this thing has a lot of steel in
 the foundation. And in a very short period time will go on
 with me or without me. That's just good business and I'm
 sure you agree with that.
    KING: Do you want Cher to contact you in Dallas?
    PEROT: Absolutely.
    KING: Cher. Did you mean that, that you would give up
 part of your career for this?
    PEROT: Now don't do that Cher, but I would love to have
 your help.
    Q: I'll tell you something: My country, this country has
 made--It's not--It's like I've made everything out of myself
 that I've wanted to make and it's no good for me to go on
 with seeing other people not being able to--you know, other
 people walking homeless in my town and people not being able
 to have a college education, and people of different races
 and cultures not loving one another and not wanting to help
 one another. And I swear to God, it's the most important
 thing. I know our country's in a terrible way, and I know
 economically we're at a place that's like being at the edge
 of a cliff. And if something doesn't happen, then I can't
 imagine what's going to happen to the rest of my children's
 future, and their children's future.
    PEROT: Well, you've summed up, very eloquently what
 millions of volunteers feel and these things that cause them
 to go out and work to get this done.
    I am really excited about meeting with the state
 coordinators and developing the next step and then perusing
 it aggressively. And the 1 thing that would be very precious
 is it would continue to always to bubble up from the
 grassroots, because that's where the common sense and wisdom
 come from.
    KING: We're out of time. Thank you Cher. Thank you Ross.
    PEROT: Thank you.
    KING: We have not heard the last of Ross Perot. Can we
 say that?
    PEROT: Well, it's up to the volunteers.
    KING: We thank you for joining us for this hour and a
 half of Larry King Live. We have been with you for a special
 extra half hour tonight because of Mr Perot's appearance and
 the news of yesterday and today.
    We'll be back Monday night with Ambassador Bob Strauss.
 Next Wednesday night, our TNT special: Larry King Extra with
 the likes of Jack Lemmon, Kirk Douglas, and Anthony Quinn.
    And Vice President Quayle next Wednesday. Thanks for
 joining us on Larry King Live for Ross Perot. Yours truly
 Larry King. See you Monday.

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James C. Barrett (barrett@cc.gatech.edu)| "I'm speechless...               
Georgia Tech College of Computing       |      I am without speech." - George