He's back, and sounding a whole lot like a man with the year 2000 on his mind.

The polls indicate that two of every three Americans would still not consider voting for Ross Perot for president. Many say his hour is past, that he made his anti-Washington point back in 1992 and 1996 and now should pack up his homespun aphorisms and exit the public stage.But this billionaire has always been one to give advice, not take it, and this weekend, after a yearlong sabbatical from politics following his '96 trouncing, he once again grabbed the limelight with a thundering speech and a series of appearances on television talk shows.

In the speech on Saturday night he attacked Washington as a place where people lie and steal "blatantly" and asserted that the presence of a strong third party and a strong third-party presidential candidate would do much to right matters. He delivered the address to the faithful who gathered in Kansas City to write a charter for his two-year-old Reform Party, which is struggling hard to find its footing.

Then, flashing a teasing smile, he borrowed from John Paul Jones and roared: "I have not yet begun to fight."

His supporters whooped and cheered, suddenly pumped and eager for more from their long-absent leader.

Ken Lawson, a convention delegate from California, called him "the greatest living American."

Other voices cried out, "Give 'em h---, Ross."

Perot did not disappoint.

"The press keeps writing that you all want me to go away," he said, mockery rising in his throat. "Do you all wish I'd go away?"

"No-o-o-o!"

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"So why don't we take a quick vote? If you want me to stick around, just stand up and let 'em know."

"Yes-s-s-s!"

Sunday, he was less pointed, but no less teasing, on the question of his future as he made the talk show rounds. Each time the question was asked about a third presidential run in 2000 he ducked a direct answer, yet nevertheless managed to sound like a man who was giving some serious thought to another go.

"I will do whatever I have to do," he replied again and again, until the reply constituted a mantra.

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