ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, October 27, 1996 TAG: 9610290011
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WARREN, OHIO
SOURCE: Associated Press
Directing most of his criticism at President Clinton, Ross Perot campaigned this weekend in Florida and Ohio, two battleground states heatedly contested by the president and Republican Bob Dole.
Both major parties are ``bought and paid for by foreign interests and special interests,'' Perot said Saturday at a rally of 1,200 people in Warren, Ohio.
``Is there no sense of decency left in this country? Is there no sense of shame?'' Perot asked. ``There must not be if you look at those polls, right?''
He criticized Clinton's fund-raising practices, said the Whitewater investigation involving Clinton's wife had created ``a really awkward situation,'' and suggested that the president puts U.S. troops in danger to ``get a bump in the approval ratings.''
``He is a really good actor, he makes a really great show. Keep in mind that running this great nation is not show business,'' Perot said.
At one point, Perot said: ``I can't understand why American women are crazy about this guy.''
Although polls strongly suggest otherwise, Perot and his supporters insist he's not here to play spoiler. He rejected Dole's bid last week for him to drop out and endorse the Republican.
``Don't tell the pollsters that you're coming,'' Perot urged a cheering Pensacola, Fla., audience.
Although some tracking polls last week indicated Perot is creeping upward, his numbers in most polls remain in single digits, less than half his 19 percent nationwide showing in the 1992 election.
His campaign officials and supporters argue that the polls are misleading and can't gauge the kind of disaffected-voter support that is his base.
``It's a silent vote,'' said John Varga, a retired steelworker in the Youngstown area. ``People don't talk about it much, but you'd be surprised at how much support he has.''
``I think Dole is a better man than Clinton, but Perot is a better man than both of them,'' said Gene Deaton in Pensacola, a musician and registered Republican who just joined Perot's campaign six weeks ago. ``It's blossoming now.''
This week, Perot is scheduled to be at rallies in seven states, most at college campuses from Virginia Tech (on Monday) to Northwestern University to Stanford University.
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS PRESIDENTby CNB