Alrighty Guys, here my "latest" instalment...more of an revison of the last installment with some hints at some possible foreshadowing...enjoy
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Waiting for Perot:
The Independent's No. 2
Gov. Bill Clinton’s announcement of his Vice Presidential Running Mate on July 10th, only a few days before his respective party’s convention, caused quite a stir within the nascent Perot Campaign. From within the campaign’s inner circle, many including the candidate himself, due to faltering numbers in the polls, and Clinton’s pick of Richards, were later reported to have been serious considering dropping out of the Race entirely. However, One of Perot’s top campaign advisers Russ Verney would hear nothing of it and said the best way to counterattack the Clinton pick, would be to stick it out, and for them to hit them back as hard as they hit them.
Many Political analysts, during the weeks after the Democrat Primary season had floated around several names that could be possible contender’s for the no 2 spot. The most obvious choice, would be retired New Hampshire Senator Warren Rudman; someone with strong ties inside the beltway but also as someone concerned over the deepening national deficit. Rudman, however took his name off the Perot “Short List” after clearly stating that, “I would not serve as Vice President for anyone ever.” One of the next highly sought after picks, was that of supply-side conservative, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Jack Kemp. His name was noted to often be brought up within Perot circles and that a political marriage between the two in ’92 would bolster Kemp’s chance for the G.O.P. Nomination in ’96. However, Kemp went against some of his closest allies and declined the offer, stating that his “Loyalty to the Republican Party will be enough to get me, where I’m going.”
On July 12th, 1992...One day before the Democrat National Convention, Ross Perot publicly announced his choice in, former Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization affairs…Dr. Alan Keyes. Many of the political analysts throughout the nation, were quite shocked by the choice, thinking that Perot’s long standing support of POW’s would be more of a factor in decision. However, as Russ Verney explained, Keyes offered three things to help balance Perot on the ticket. Number one were Foreign Policy credentials…As Keyes was largely remembered as the defender of Reagan’s opposition to economic sanctions in South Africa and his sometimes controversial ambassadorship to the UN, but he did possess enough experience to balance the notion of Perot being largely a “Domestic” candidate. Secondly, a Baby-boomer like Clinton, his youthful vitality was chosen in order to help Perot appeal to the younger generations. Also with Keyes being a prominent African American, that also helped Perot’s appeal to Black voters, which had largely dwindled due to the now infamous “You People…” remark earlier in 1992 during the NAACP Convention. Although the Texas Billionaire was speaking about the general economic plight amongst African Americans in the United States, the comment had haunted the Perot campaign ever since.
Due to Keyes’ acceptance to be Perot’s running mate however leaves a void in the Maryland Senate Race, which Democrat Incumbent Barbara Mikulski was largely favored to win. The Pick does provide a slight boost, to Perot’s poll numbers which largely, with the number of blacks and social conservatives outweighing those who were rather turned off by Keyes’ more Right-Wing leanings. However, problems soon begin to arise and are more evidently seen between Perot’s Centrist approach and Keyes’ Moral Conservatism.