Topic: Political Platform

Jim Welch describes the 1994-1995 efforts to form a new political party in Texas. Unlike other states, the Texas group moved quickly to establish a platform and bylaws aimed at dispersing power away from a centralized authority. Welch notes that the national leadership in Dallas eventually rejected their proposed bylaws for giving too much power to the people.

The Texas committee continued to develop a political platform despite orders from the Dallas national office to disband. Jim Welch explains that Ross Perot changed his mind about a new party, opting instead to allow established Republicans and Democrats to speak at their convention. The committee planned to use proxy votes to regain control from the national leadership.