Perot will not seek Reform Party presidential nomination

DALLAS (CNN) -- Ross Perot will not run for the Reform Party's nomination for president in 2000, his political strategist said Friday.

Perot

Instead, Perot is asking the nominating committee to put the term "no endorsement" in lieu of his name, strategist Russ Verney said. That would allow Reform Party members to endorse no one.

Conservative commentator Pat Buchanan is the front-runner for the party's nomination.

Verney said the Texas billionaire decided against running in the primary because he had no intention of actually competing for the White House against Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore.

In a June 30 letter to Michael Farris, chairman of the party's presidential nominations committee, Perot said, "If the Reform Party nominates me, I cannot appear on enough general election ballots to have a chance to be elected president.

"If your committee determines that my candidacy can be listed on the nomination ballot as 'No Endorsement' to allow a meaningful vote to members of the party who believe the other qualified candidates do not represent the Principles of Reform, I agree to be a candidate," Perot said in the letter.

"A 'No Endorsement' vote would mean there is no national nominee of the Reform Party," Perot added. "If your committee determines that the rules do not allow my candidacy to be listed as 'No Endorsement', I decline the opportunity to seek the Reform Party's presidential nomination."

Perot has been the Reform Party's presidential standard bearer for the past two elections.

MORE STORIES:

Friday, June 30, 2000

• Perot will not seek Reform Party presidential nomination
  
• Video: As the face of organized labor changes, so do political alliances
  
• First lady's New York campaign rakes in $5.1 million since March
  
• Clinton signs e-signature bill into law
  
• Clinton rallies union support for Gore
  
• Senate OKs $11 billion spending bill after pork protest
  
• US Senate to vote on China bill by late July-Daschle
  
• Arkansas Supreme Court files suit to disbar Clinton
  
• Candidates compete on 'somewhat conservative' landscape
  
• Confederate flag's last day over South Carolina Capitol
  
• Ted Kennedy's GOP challenger is knocked off the ballot
  
• Gore appeals to Latinos, citing GOP hold on Hispanic nominee
  
• Lott says will try to block Cuba sanctions easing
  
• Lance Morrow: It's Vice Presidential Speculation Month
  
• Richardson dismisses GOP calls to quit
  
• Video: Fears of violence in Los Angeles
  
• Video: Richardson's trials provoke hard feelings in Hispanic community
  

ARCHIVES