 Ross Perot appeared on the February 20 edition of Larry King Live on CNN , his fourth appearance on the show since 1991 . After a lively interview concerning political issues , King directly asked Perot if there was " any scenario in which [ he ] would run for president . " Perot firmly stated that he did not want to run , but spontaneously affirmed that he would begin a campaign if " ordinary people " signed petitions and helped him achieve ballot access in all 50 states . He set up a phone bank at his office on March 12 , staffed with volunteers to inform interested voters and supporters on how they could assist Perot 's potential campaign . Supporters viewed the candidate as an " action man ... who can get things done ... [ and who ] takes care of his people " . They were angry at President Bush for reneging on his promise not to raise taxes . The New York Times speculated that Perot 's " iconoclastic , take @-@ no @-@ prisoners persona and anti @-@ politics politics " would appeal to the " angry frustrated electorate " . But Republican consultant Karl Rove characterized Perot as an " untested wild man " . He rejected any financial donations for more than $ 5 , and stated that he would personally fund a potential campaign . Perot spent $ 400 @,@ 000 of his own money in the first month , however , he largely spread this message via television , capped by a March 18 National Press Club speech , which aired on C @-@ SPAN . 
