It has been 20 years since Ross Perot‘s independent bid for the White House, but he doesn’t like to talk about that much.
Notoriously media shy, the former Navy veteran and Texas businessman shut down as soon as our conversation transitioned from the troops (the reason why he was in town) to anything politically-tinged. “It’s been a privilege to be able to work with the military and help people and it’s very nice of them to recognize it tonight,” Perot told Yeas & Nays before the founders of the GI Film Festival presented him with their first ever Lifetime Hero Award at the Newseum. (And a painting from military artist James Dietz, to boot).
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“But the real issue is, we’ve got to take care of those people,” he continued. So, if that’s the case, how’s the current administration doing? But Perot wouldn’t look under the hood. “Well, I don’t want to make any comments,” he replied. “About anything.” He also said he purposely keeps his work with the military on the down low. “Just keep it quiet, thank you,” Perot said, ending the conversation.
Once Perot took the podium he was all smiles and stories about one of his all-time favorite military heroes James Robinson “Robbie” Risner, a prisoner of war in Vietnam who spent years in solitary confinement. “This is the spirit that’s in the Air Force and in the military and in the special operations,” Perot cooed.
Later in the evening at a private dinner for Perot, also at the Newseum, the former candidate was nowhere to be found. GI Film Festival organizers explained that his travel plans had changed, perhaps unexpectedly, leaving those who paid $250 for a ticket or $3,500 for a table, toasting to nobody.
