Ross Perot did surprisingly well in Sunday's first presidential debate, says this year's Deseret News panel of citizen election watchers.
Perot, who ran a distant third in pre-debate polls in Utah, used wit, humor and tough talk to show up both Democrat Bill Clinton and President Bush, a Republican, panel members said.But even though panel members were impressed by Perot, he didn't change their minds.
"I supported Perot before he got out of the race," said mortgage banker John Gillette. "He did really well in the debate. But I'm not going to vote for him, not after he bailed out (of the race in July)."
Gillette, who describes himself as a dissatisfied Republican - at least as far as presidential politics is concerned - said he was disappointed in Bush.
"He makes me want to vote for Jim Baker, if only he was on the ballot. Bush just doesn't get it. So many people are dissatisfied and he keeps talking about the status quo. He blames it all on Congress, and to some extent that's true. But he's been there, too."
Even though Gillette likes what Perot is saying, he's still leaning, reluctantly, toward Bush. "The Democrats aren't saying anything new - talking like they have for the past 20 years.
"Ross Perot made what I believe was one of the biggest political blunders in the nation's history when he got out of the race," said Gillette. "If he hadn't done that, he could be leading them all today. But how can you trust the guy now?"
Independent voter Mike Sullivan, an aerial photographer, liked Clinton early in the year but has turned more toward Perot. He was hoping Perot would do well in the debate, and the bantam Texas billionaire's answers moved Sullivan more solidly into his camp.
"They all did well, I think. But Perot did very well. I like him even more and plan to vote for him."
Like Gillette, Sullivan didn't think Bush was very strong in the debate. "But he didn't make any major mistakes; no one did. Perot talked about the real problems that concern me, jobs, the deficit and the economy."
Laura Van Wagoner, an 18-year-old Democrat attending the University of Utah, said she was also impressed by all three debaters and especially surprised at how well Perot did. "He was witty, I didn't expect that, and I was impressed with his answers - he was tougher than I thought he'd be." However, she is still leaning toward Clinton, who she believed also did a good job Sunday night.
Independent voter CaroLyn Johnson, a tax consultant, said Perot surprised her also. "I feel a bit unsettled (by the debate) because they all did so well. Perot - well, he gave me some food for thought. I'm still leaning toward Bill Clinton, however." Some commentators said Clinton needed to look presidential during the debate.
Johnson believes Clinton did that. "Bush is pushing his years of experience. Well, he does have that. But Clinton has the new ideas. I'm going to watch the next two debates very closely."