CANDIDATE'S VA. BACKERS KNEW OF `TRICKS' CHARGE
THEY SAY HAVING IT OUT IN THE OPEN MAY HELP BY SHOWING WHY THEIR MAN QUIT THE RACE IN JULY.

Published: Tuesday, October 27, 1992
Section: FRONT , page A8
Source: By Alex Marshall, Staff writer

© 1992 Landmark Communications Inc.

State and local campaign officials for presidential candidate Ross Perot say they knew all along that fear of dirty tricks by Republicans was probably behind his departure from the race last July.

``A lot of us had heard stories internally about this a couple of months back,'' said Michael Rau, Perot's state press spokesman. ``It was one of a few stories that were going around.''

Said Pat Fridley, Perot's Hampton Roads coordinator, ``We knew he had to withdraw for personal reasons.''

They said Perot's latest accusations, which some have criticized as unfounded or exaggerated, have not shaken their confidence. They predicted the stories might help Perot because people now have a better explanation for his sudden departure last summer.

``We were devastated at the time,'' said Robert I. Low, Perot's 2nd District coordinator. ``I'm glad to hear there's a reason.''

However, they also blamed the media for what they characterized as unfair reporting and said they fear this could drive Perot supporters back to Bill Clinton.

``If the media continues to report it incorrectly, there is a possibility of that,'' Rau said. ``I hope the American voters are looking at issues, not this nonsense.''

The CBS news show ``60 Minutes'' reported Sunday that Perot had dropped out of the race in July because he feared the Bush-Quayle campaign would disrupt his daughter's wedding and distribute doctored photos of her.

Rau and other Perot officials said they did not doubt the stories might be true. They noted accusations that the federal government has investigated Bill Clinton's mother, and another pro-Bush group used computers to alter a photo of Bill Clinton to make it appear that he was with Sen. Ted Kennedy.

``The Republicans have an unfortunate pattern of dirty tricks,'' Fridley said. ``I don't believe Mr. Bush is involved, but he can't control all the campaign people.''

Perot officials criticized ``60 Minutes'' for the way it handled the story. The program approached Perot, they said, not the other way around. CBS News could not be reached for comment.

``He did not divulge this information,'' Fridley said. ``Sixty Minutes had it, and they were coming out with it.''

Said Rau: ``After backing him into a corner and making him tell the story, they have the audacity to say he's making unwarranted accusations. We had no intentions of bringing this up at all.''

They also disagreed that Perot's accusations suggested he might be too obsessed with conspiracy theories. They noted Perot has worked on projects involving Vietnam and Iran that would tend to put his life in danger.

``It comes down to that classic question: Are you really paranoid if someone is out to get you?'' Rau said. ``I can see how the actions he has taken would enrage certain groups.''