Pat Choate is Reform Party Chairman.

National Review: On Monday, a judge ruled that you are the legitimate head of the Reform party. Is that the ruling you anticipated?

Pat Choate: I anticipated this ruling because the national committee carefully followed the constitution of the party in its Nashville meeting on February 12. Generally in such conflicts, the federal courts examine whether legal processes were used in the proceedings, leaving political judgements to the members of the political party.

NR: How did this split happen? Was it essentially over where to hold your summer convention — in Long Beach, California or St. Paul, Minnesota, as some have reported?

Choate: The fight over the site for the summer convention was a surrogate for two deeper differences. One disagreement concerned the power of the chairman. Jack Gargan viewed the chair as operating much like a president or governor with others on the party’s executive committee serving in an advisory capacity, much like a cabinet. The party constitution, however, places power with the executive committee for day-to-day operations, leaving to the chair the responsibility to implement those decisions.

The second conflict was between the supporters of Jesse Ventura and Patrick Buchanan. The Ventura forces wanted the 2000 nominee to be a seat-holder for Gov. Ventura, who had promised not to leave his present position for higher office. The Ventura forces, therefore, sought surrogates for the 2000 election — Lowell Weicker, John Anderson, and Donald Trump, among others. When the Ventura forces were unable to block Buchanan’s bid for the nomination, the governor quit the party. Much of the contest over where the convention would be sited was a test of strength between those two forces.

NR: The Washington Post describes your party as “a circus of bureaucratic backbiting and infighting.” Isn’t it a sign of a “hopelessly dysfunctional” (as Jesse Ventura put it) national political party, when a judge has to step in and decide leadership struggles?

Choate: Did you see the GOP’s South Carolina primary or Al Gore’s negative ads against Bill Bradley? That is the face of “backbiting and infighting.”The leadership struggle in the party was settled by the February 12 meeting of the national committee in Nashville. Yet, the deposed officers and some of their supporters refused to accept the authority of that body or the legitimacy of their decision. By going to court and getting an expedited hearing, all sides were assured of a full and impartial airing of views. This was done. Consequently, all can have confidence in the decision made in Nashville. Equally important, the struggle was brought to a conclusion, allowing Reformers to mount a competitive campaign this year. I suspect that the backbiting and infighting between Bush and McCain will continue. Ours is over.

NR: What is Jack Gargan’s future in the Reform party? If he leaves, are you worried that he will take some of your base with him?

Choate: I have asked Jack to remain in the party and assist us mount a strong campaign this fall. He has brought much to the party and can contribute much more. As Judge Moon said from the bench on Monday, the conflict was between honorable people with honest differences.

If Jack does leave, I hope that his supporters will remain in the party and continue their efforts to elect a Reformer as president and Reformers to other federal, state, and local offices. I anticipate few defections.

NR: Pat Buchanan’s campaign — Buchanan Reform — is being sued by the New Hampshire Reform party for misuse of the party’s name. As national chairman, do you support or discourage that suit?

Choate: Ultimately, the question of who will be recognized as the Reform party’s New Hampshire affiliate will be decided by the party’s national convention in August. Each of the contenders will be given ample opportunity to present their case to the assembled body. Then, a vote will be taken.

NR: It’s been reported that Jim Mangia, your party’s national secretary, has been actively recruiting Ross Perot to step in and take the party’s presidential nomination? Is that true? Will we see a Perot entrance?

Choate: Jim Mangia is an admirer of Ross Perot, as I am. At this point in the election process, it is unlikely that Ross Perot will enter the race — though he is always capable of surprises.

NR: You were Perot’s running mate in 1996. Is there a spot on the ticket this time for Pat Choate — maybe alongside Buchanan?

Choate: My wife and I enjoyed my run for vice president in 1996, but my role this year is to serve as interim chair of the party and assist our candidates mount a competitive race. So far, I am enjoying this job.