Ross Perot Endorses Ann Richards in Texas Gubernatorial Campaign

Ross Perot, the Texas billionaire, surprised the nation by endorsing Ann Richards, the incumbent governor, in her re-election campaign against George W. Bush. Perot's endorsement is seen as a crucial moment in the race, as it could potentially sway conservative voters who have been leaning towards Bush. Perot's backing of Richards is a significant move, given his own history of running as an independent candidate in the 1992 presidential election, where he siphoned off 19% of the vote.

Key Takeaways:

• Ross Perot's endorsement of Ann Richards is a significant moment in the Texas gubernatorial campaign, potentially swaying conservative voters who have been leaning towards George W. Bush.
• Perot denied any grudge against the Bush family, stating that his endorsement was not part of a "sour grapes" campaign.
• The Bush campaign quickly dismissed Perot's endorsement as a "repackaged photo opportunity," arguing that Richards' ties to President Clinton would ultimately hurt her campaign.
• Perot has been a vocal critic of the Clinton Administration's policies on health care, trade, and foreign affairs, and has given millions of dollars to Republican causes.
• Richards has been trying to dissociate herself from President Clinton, who has been unpopular in Texas, and has been running on a campaign of fiscal responsibility and independence.
• Perot's endorsement of Richards could help her among white male voters, a key demographic for Bush, but may not be enough to give her a significant boost in the polls.
• The endorsement is part of a broader trend of Perot's support for Democratic candidates, including Governor Roy Romer of Colorado, whom he endorsed two weeks ago.

Statistics:

• Ross Perot won 22% of the Presidential vote in Texas in 1992, slightly higher than his national vote share of 19%.
• George H.W. Bush won 40% of the Texas vote in 1992, while Bill Clinton took 37%.
• The Bush campaign has gotten a significant boost from campaigning by the candidate's parents, including the recently released autobiography of Barbara Bush, which accuses Perot of sabotaging Bush's re-election campaign in 1992.
• Perot has agreed to pay at least $1 million for the Republican National Committee to broadcast informational programs about health care in prime time on major television networks.
• Richards has turned a $6 billion budget deficit into a $2 billion surplus as governor, according to Perot.

Sources:

• "Barbara Bush: A Memoir" (Drew/Scribners)
• Ross Perot quoted in CNN's "Larry King Live" program
• Karen Hughes, George W. Bush's communications director
• Richard Murray, a political science professor at the University of Houston
• Mark Graham, photographer for The New York Times