Ross Perot is causing much whistling in the dark among Washington's political cognoscenti lately.
Consider Eddie Mahe, longtime GOP expert and consultant.Last week with the Perot balloon at the top of two major polls, Mahe observed its rise would last only as long as the hot air. When that cools, as he foresees, the trip will quickly end.
Maybe. Except there's not the slightest evidence to back Mahe's forecast except wishful thinking. Like the battery-driven drum-beating TV rabbit, Perot just keeps on going and going and going.
The times have seldom been as ripe for an independent candidate for president.
The economy remains in the pits. The national debt is measured in trillions. Millions are without work. We're unable to control the rising violent crime rate. We can't repair our streets and highways. Health-care costs are heading for the moon and millions are without health-insurance protection.
These and a thousand other problems confront a people torn by frustration and disgust, angry at government and politicians. No doubt the last straws were the check kiting and post office scandals in Congress.
They were certainly unimpressed by what the two major parties put forth in the presidential contest. They could hardly be blamed for viewing President Bush and Democrat Bill Clinton as simply "more of the same."
Bush, who looked like a hero in Desert Storm, has suddenly become unable to express himself effectively on TV. He gives the impression of a man under great pressure and indecisive. His opponent, known in his native Arkansas as "Slick Willie," has a boyish smile and plays the saxophone. He may be better suited for that than he is to lead America out of the wilderness.
So the emergence of the gnome-like Perot on TV made quite an impression on America, and we can be sure he planned it that way. Here, suddenly, was a man talking what sounded strangely like common sense, something unheard in Washington for many decades.
This little guy with oversize ears and a nose that would make Jimmy Durante cry, doesn't mince words. The TV tube shows us a strong, decisive man who understands problems and how to solve them.
Clearly, Perot doesn't mess around with a lot of gibberish, which suits most Americans just fine. He states his points clearly, and seldom explains how he's going to accomplish them.
This lack of explanation drives the media herd to distraction and earned Perot strong criticism. But apparently, most of his supporters are unfazed, confident that this pugnacious plain talker can override the Washington bureaucracy and give the country back to the people.
Even if Perot fails in his effort it may ultimately bring about much needed reform in Washington. But of course the small Texan has no intention of losing. At this point he's beginning to look like a winner unless George Bush starts being decisive.