Two days before its nominating convention, the Reform Party split loudly in two Tuesday as supporters of founder Ross Perot walked out of a closed meeting, leaving backers of Pat Buchanan inside and the party's future in question. Convention called to order.
Nominee can recommend a running mate, but the delegates choose one.
Perot's supporters have threatened to seek legal means to block Buchanan from receiving the money. The shouting and shoving that accompanied Tuesday's events showed the intensity of the dispute. Mangia and Perot aide Russell Verney, communicating over walkie-talkies, led a walkout of about half those inside the meeting, guiding them down the street to another hotel where they planned their own proceedings. Bay Buchanan dismissed the uproar as sour grapes from the old guard as its grip on the party weakens. The Buchanan campaign has amassed a formidable majority of delegates to this week's convention.