Ross Perot wasn’t interested in politics in 1966, but I was trying to coordinate a statewide campaign. We met for lunch in Dallas because Peter O’Donnell said Ross was a computer whiz who could tell us how to employ ‘critical-path-scheduling’ in our campaign.
Young ones, who know more about computers than this great-grandfather, may not realize that in 1966 critical-path-scheduling was known only to a few at DuPont and the Pentagon. Ross, Naval Academy grad, had been a McNamara computer whiz at the Pentagon.
For Old Timers, contractors now use this computer program daily to keep construction on schedule.
First thing Ross told me, he had only programmed an hour for lunch to discuss what he thought about using computer scheduling for a political campaign.
Three hours later, after he helped me figure out implementing computer scheduling for a political campaign, Ross said he must get back to putting Blue Cross/Blue Shield in the computer business. But he admitted our discussion had awakened his interest in politics.
Fast-forward two decades to the annual national newspaper convention where Ross—now an Independent candidate for President of the United States— opened his speech with these words:
“I know some of you will have trouble understanding my Texas accent. But Walter Cronkite is from Texas. And Dan Rather is from Texas. And, if I find out where they learned to talk, I’ll go there and learn how to speak so you understand….
…for now, I hope you understand what this Texan wants to tell you.”
That’s how I remember Perot’s words. I also remember mine when I left the hall where he spoke. Ross was being interviewed by press when I walked past.
I waved at him. He waved back with a “Hi, Dick.”
I answered, “Hey, Ross, I understood every word you said.” He laughed.