Final answer:
Ross Perot was a third-party candidate in the 1992 presidential election who did not have the backing of a major national party, which made him stand out. He garnered nearly 20 percent of the popular vote by appealing to Americans frustrated with the traditional two-party system. His success highlighted the decline of political parties and the rise of independent candidates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ross Perot was a unique candidate in the 1992 presidential election because he did not have the support of a major national party. Unlike his opponents, George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Perot ran as an independent, which was particularly noteworthy given the decline of political parties around the world during this period. Perot differed from his Republican and Democratic rivals in several ways, but the most significant difference was that he was a third-party candidate.
His campaign was fueled by a probusiness and antiestablishment orientation, and he appealed to many Americans who were frustrated with the perceived failures of the two major parties. Even without the backing of a traditional party, Perot managed to secure nearly 20 percent of the popular vote, drawing support from both liberal and conservative voters. This impressive feat for a third-party candidate indicated a departure from traditional party reliance.
In contrast to Perot's success as a third-party candidate, President George H. W. Bush and Senator Bob Dole faced challenges within their own party. Bush had broken his promise not to raise taxes, which alienated conservative Republicans, while Dole was criticized for his noncommittal stance on budgetary matters.