As many of our readers have already heard, two-time Presidential candidate and fiscal hawk, Ross Perot, 89, passed away after a long-fought battle with Leukemia.
Although Perot never held office, he is the most successful third-party candidate in the modern era, receiving 19% of the popular vote (and no electoral votes) in the 1992 election.
Perhaps more importantly, Perot’s populist campaign, strong opposition to free trade (think NAFTA), calling for a balanced budget, and pushing for entitlement reform – paved the way for a Donald Trump Presidency.
Perot embodied the American Dream, a rural boy who went on to become an Eagle Scout, U.S. Naval Academy graduate, and a self-made billionaire.
A larger than life figure, who seemingly had his hands in almost everything.
In addition to running for President, Perot: hired a team of retired U.S. Army Special forces to retrieve his employees from an Iranian jail, spent his own money searching for missing Vietnam POWs, funded Steve Jobs after he was ousted from Apple, and purchased a copy of the Magna Carta for the National Archives.
All while pushing for a balanced budget.
Many of our readers are aware that Ross Perot wasn’t a saint. Many would not vote for him due to his support of Planned Parenthood, “assault weapons” bans, and Mitt Romney.
Still, it is hard to imagine a figure more influential in the modern era, than Ross Perot, a man who embodied both the American spirit and the American Dream.
Please share!
Remember to check back with the Colorado Citizen Press. We’re always looking for good stories to write about. Please use our “Citizen Tip Line” early and often. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@COCitizenPress)!