Do You Want a Revolution?

Hagelin received a presidential nod when the Reform Party split into two factions during its national convention in August, with Pat Buchanan taking the other nomination. The Federal Elections Commission recognized Buchanan as the official party candidate, which made him eligible--and made Hagelin ineligible--for $12.6 million in federal funds.

With his running mate, Nat Goldhaber, Hagelin has garnered support from the New York Independence Party, the Natural Law Party and what he terms "the best of the Reform Party" to try to sustain the party founded by Perot.

But when Hagelin describes his hobbies, his speech shifts from a directed political mantra to a moment of reflection.

He waxes philosophically on designing high fidelity home audio equipment: "It's the fun of design and creativity," the Harvard-educated quantum physicist says.

He is also a pilot, and calls flying "liberating." But he says his political goals share those ideals.

Hagelin's Harvard degree led him to a Congressional think tank on science and public policy, which led to a frustration with the inability of non-profit organizations to compete with for-profit organizations for government attention, which led to candidacy for the Natural Law Party in 1992 and 1996.