Malcolm S. 'Steve' Forbes, Jr.

Running for president is becoming more and more like writing a book: Everybody thinks they can do it. Take publishing mogul Steve Forbes. He's never sought political office, he's got no real political organization, but he decided to join the crowded field of GOP candidates.

Even though the cards were stacked against him--all he really had was a lot of money and a simplistic flat tax platform--Steve didn't enter the game empty-handed. His seat on top of the Forbes empire has brought him national recognition, a forum to express his ideas, and a great deal of money. The voters know where Forbes stands, on economic issues at least. He's on the record on a lot of hot-button issues: free trade, tax cuts, and lower interest rates.

And his position has brought him political allies as well. He's worked with Jack Kemp, and he played an important role in the campaign of New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman. But Kemp and Whitman are no longer GOP luminaries, go-to people in the world of wonkism, and Forbes couldn't parlay a huge bankroll into any real influence, either on the party, or a constituency; after a poor Super Tuesday showing, he left the race. Like Ross Perot and newcomer Morry Taylor, Steve believes that the country should be run like a business, managed by a profit-minded CEO rather than an ideological leader. And like any good businessman, he abandoned ship when the Law of Diminishing Returns kicked in.

Internet Resources:

Steve Forbes for President

This is Forbes' official web page, with special messages, a biography, speeches (though not many), and a listing of his policies--including a few digs at Bob Dole's fiscal policies. It's your one-stop shop for all things Forbes.

Malcolm S. Forbes Jr. Race Information

Another basic primer on the Forbes candidacy, from the San Diego Republican Convention's official site.