More consequential than 1992

Ross Perot died this week. He was 89.

Perot is best known for his independent run for president in 1992. He garnered 19 percent of the popular vote.

He, it has been claimed, cost incumbent George H.W. Bush his reelection and put Bill Clinton in office.

Perot ran again in 1996 after forming the Reform Party, but his second campaign was not as successful as his first.

Perot, a billionaire, was quirky and sharp-tongued. He railed against the nation’s growing budget deficits and the country’s trade imbalance.

His first run was a phenomenal shift in national politics. He was the most successful independent candidate since Teddy Roosevelt with his Bull Moose party.

The presidential run for 2020 does not have a Ross Perot, but it is shaping up to be as surprising.

In the field of 24 or so Democrats, Eric Swalwell has already dropped out. Some candidates have not gained any traction while favorites have fallen and unknowns have soared. And, it is just beginning.

Despite Swalwell, the Democrat contenders number the same because billionaire Tom Steyer has officially declared his candidacy.

Steyer has spent millions of dollars on advertising to persuade people to petition for the impeachment of President Donald Trump, although this will not be the crux of his campaign.

All of these candidates are dedicated to stopping Trump at one term.

At the moment, even one Republican has the same goal. He is William Weld, Trump’s one Republican challenger.

We won’t hear “Ross for Boss” again. But this election cycle could become as lively as when Perot was challenging both major parties and all of America.

It could be much more consequential as well.