Ross Perot predicted Monday that the Whitewater investigation and related inquiries would develop into "Watergate II" if President Clinton was re-elected and asserted that Clinton should have done "the responsible thing" by stepping down.

"I think the responsible thing for any president that has this many problems to do would have been to resign," Perot, the Reform Party's Presidential nominee, told an audience of 3,000 people at Virginia Polytechnic Institute here. "But he certainly is not going to do that. The people will have to make the decision."Perot then asked, "Is it responsible and in the best interest of our country to elect a president who has the next two years of his life facing Watergate II?"

Although Perot has rejected the Dole-Kemp campaign's entreaties for him to withdraw and endorse the Republican ticket, his recent attacks on the president's character closely resemble Bob Dole's own latest criticism of Clinton.

In speeches and other public remarks, starting with his address at the National Press Club in Washington last Wednesday, Perot has leaned heavily on the analogy of Watergate, the scandal that forced President Richard Nixon from office 22 years ago, in reciting accusations that echo Dole's con-tention that the president is not a leader whom the American people can trust.

He exhorted his audience, primarily students: "If you love your country and you love your children, how can you even consider voting for a president who has huge moral, ethical and criminal problems facing him? Just think about that."

Perot also said Monday he might make another run for the White House in the year 2000. "Whatever it takes for this country," he said on CNN's "TalkBack Live."

Asked by host Susan Rook if that meant yes, Perot said: "That's as blunt as I can put it. If `yes' means more to you, I will do whatever it takes as long as I'm here, and I plan to be here a long time to try to pass on a better country to our children and grandchildren."

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