Perot Abandons His Campaign

Ross Perot supporters are understandably disappointed and disheartened at the news that our candidate has withdrawn from the presidential race (July 17).

The media are already chalking this up as a personal Perot defeat, the actions of a petulant autocrat who, unable to master the political game, has decided not to play.

They are wrong. Perot did not “lose,” nor will his influence end with his candidacy. He inspired the largest, most successful grass-roots effort in political history. For millions of supporters nationwide, his challenge was the revitalization of interest in the governance of our country, an exciting time of dialogue, and a renewed hope that the people--not the entrenched self-serving political system--is in charge of America’s destiny.

Perot’s spark may not have become a national conflagration, but it certainly fired up the major political candidates. Before Perot, there was little from either about the deficit, or the budget, or their burdens on future generations.

Perot and his supporters had an unprecedented impact on the body politic in America, and, hopefully, on its future direction. An astute Ross Perot saw the fires burning. Now, sadly but surely, someone else must lead the brigade to put them out.

DORIS O’BRIEN

Vandenberg Village