Ross Perot

Definition

Ross Perot was a billionaire businessman and politician who ran as a third-party candidate in the 1992 and 1996 U.S. presidential elections. He is best known for his focus on fiscal responsibility, government reform, and his opposition to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which resonated with many voters disillusioned with the two major political parties.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ross Perot founded Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and became a billionaire before entering politics.
2. In the 1992 election, Perot received about 19% of the popular vote, a significant showing for a third-party candidate, which impacted the outcome between Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush.
3. Perot's candidacy highlighted issues such as the federal budget deficit and trade policies, bringing them into national discussion.
4. He famously used infomercials to reach voters directly, discussing his views on government reform and economic issues.
5. Perot's 1996 campaign was less successful than in 1992, garnering only about 8% of the vote, but he still influenced discussions around key policy issues.

Review Questions

• How did Ross Perot's candidacy in the 1992 election impact the traditional two-party system in the United States?
  • Ross Perot's candidacy in the 1992 election significantly disrupted the traditional two-party system by drawing attention to issues that many voters felt were neglected by both major parties. His strong performance, receiving nearly 19% of the popular vote, demonstrated that there was substantial support for a third-party alternative. This shift not only highlighted voter discontent with the status quo but also influenced both Democrats and Republicans to address fiscal responsibility and trade issues more seriously in their platforms.
• Evaluate the role of third-party candidates like Ross Perot in shaping public discourse around economic policy in the 1990s.
  • Third-party candidates like Ross Perot played a crucial role in shaping public discourse around economic policy in the 1990s by bringing attention to key issues such as the federal budget deficit and trade agreements like NAFTA. Perot’s focus on these topics resonated with many voters who felt that their concerns were being ignored by the major parties. His candidacy forced both Democrats and Republicans to reconsider their positions on fiscal responsibility and trade policies, ultimately impacting legislative discussions during that period.
• Assess the long-term effects of Ross Perot's political campaigns on future third-party movements in America.
  • The long-term effects of Ross Perot's political campaigns can be seen in how they inspired future third-party movements in America to advocate for reform-oriented agendas. By demonstrating that third-party candidates could achieve significant electoral support, Perot set a precedent for others to follow, encouraging new movements focused on specific issues such as environmentalism and social justice. Additionally, his use of media to communicate directly with voters paved the way for modern campaigning strategies that leverage technology and social platforms, allowing new candidates to gain traction outside of traditional party structures.

Related terms

Third-Party Candidate: A candidate who represents a political party other than the two major parties (Democratic and Republican) in an election, often advocating for alternative policies.

NAFTA:

The North American Free Trade Agreement, implemented in 1994, which created a trilateral trade bloc between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, aiming to reduce trade barriers.

Populism: A political approach that seeks to represent the interests of ordinary people, often contrasting with the elite or established political powers.