 Twenty @-@ five states required that a presidential candidate have a running mate to appear on the ballot . As a result , Perot named retired Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale , who had been awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during 7 1 ⁄ 2 years of captivity as a POW during the Vietnam War , as his " interim " running mate in late March . Stockdale would remain in the position throughout the campaign . A Boston Globe report suggested that Boston University President John Silber was also considered as a running mate . During an Associated Press interview in April , Perot commented that he might begin a campaign before his supporters achieved ballot access in all states . In New York , ballot access appeared to be the most difficult to attain . In a five @-@ week summer period , the campaign would be required to compile 20 @,@ 000 signatures from non @-@ primary voters , including 100 from each of half of the state 's Congressional districts . Perot conceded that he might not appear on the state 's ballot , but stated that he may run anyway . 
