Ross Perot blamed President Bush Thursday for causing the banking crisis with sloppy deregulation and said lobbying for foreign governments by Bush campaign aides was a major reason "all this is fouled up" in Washington.
Perot insisted he could work with Congress even though he is running as an independent, because if the American people "elect me as their servant, that would send a message to Congress. I think that would close the grid-lock."The Texas computer tycoon's comments came as he fielded calls from viewers on NBC's "Today" show, taking a seat occupied two days ago by Democratic candidate Bill Clinton and continuing his strategy of appealing directly to voters through television.
Perot was scheduled to stay for an hour but agreed to stay for two, and "Today" invited Clinton back. Bush has declined similar invitations.
During his appearance, Clinton suggested weekly debates.
When asked what he thought of that, Perot said he was eager to debate but that once a week was probably too much and that Bush would never agree.
"His vocal chords would go again," Perot said with a laugh, a reference to a voice problem Clinton had during the crowded primary stretch.
Perot said he would not raise taxes except as a last resort - or unless the country went to war, when he said a war tax would get every American involved in the effort.
He ridiculed the current attempt, supported by Bush, to pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, characterizing it as another attempt by Washington to sidestep responsibility for the deficit and wasteful spending.
He challenged Clinton and Bush to join him in calling for a ban on foreign countries lobbying Congress and on foreign interests giving money, directly or indirectly, to lawmakers.
Perot hit Bush again when saying a major problem with the economy was a banking crisis that had cut off capital and credit to small businesses, particularly in inner cities.
"You know who was in charge of deregulation," Perot said. "If you don't, it was Vice President George Bush. No villains here, he just doesn't understand business."
When asked by a California caller to say something positive about his opponents, Perot said Clinton's rise from tiny Hope, Ark., was "a tremendous example of the American dream" and called Bush "a fine man with a world-class first lady wife, first-class children. These are fine people."