GOP Presidential Candidate Cox Criticizes Media, Thompson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Laura Grock/Martin Janis & Co.
(312) 943-1106

September 6, 2007

(MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE) - Are American voters any more decided on the Republican candidates for president than they were six months ago? GOP presidential candidate John Cox gives an unqualified, "no." "Poll after poll shows that American voters are fed up - fed up with the debates and the candidates for president. Last night's Republican debate was - sadly - no exception. Someone needs to say it - the media have not been doing their job."

Cox has been routinely shut out of nationally televised presidential forums, including last night's New Hampshire debate sponsored by the Fox News Channel. In a letter to Fox News Channel's political director, Marty Ryan, dated August 23, 2007 Cox outlined numerous reasons for being admitted into the September 5th Republican debate. Among them, Cox's invitation to participate in national presidential forums, such as MSNBC's upcoming nationally televised debate on November 6th, the Values Voters Debate in Ft Lauderdale on September 17, and his ballot certification in states like South Carolina.

Numerous opinion polls taken nationwide reveal that the American people are unhappy with the tenor of the presidential debates, the candidates and what they offer. "The major news outlets have refused me the opportunity to answer the tough questions that need to be answered in these debates. The media has failed and the candidates continue to fail to answer the American people. Fox News Channel has given democracy a pass once again."

Last night's Fox News Channel debate included former Governor Mitt Romney, Senator Tom Tancredo, former Governor Mike Huckabee, Senator John McCain, Senator Brownback, and former New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani. In a post-debate real time Peoplemeter poll, pollster asked voters about their opinion of the candidates. None of the participants expressed confidence in any of the current presidential candidates. Noticeably absent from the debate was Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson - who recently announced his late-start candidacy for President on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

"Apparently, the Senator believes running for the presidency is a joke. That must have been why he announced his candidacy on Jay Leno," criticized Cox. "Well, I am here to tell Fred Thompson that the presidency is not a joke. This is about the future of our country, about Iraq, about whether the U.S. will become a second-rate country behind China. Thompson should be ashamed of himself."

Cox says that people are deadly concerned about Iraq and no candidate has stepped forward with a plan. "According to the recent IMF report, the Iraqis should be pumping oil like crazy, getting that money into the economy and building a working economy and stable society," criticized GOP presidential candidate John Cox.

Iraq's economy is not growing as quickly as expected, as the anticipated expansion in oil production within the country "has not materialized," the International Monetary Fund said. The IMF report, released after consultations with Iraqi officials in August, said Iraqi oil production has remained steady at about 2.0 mln barrels per day, virtually unchanged since 2004. The report said fiscal surpluses in 2005 and 2006 reflect an underspending on oil facilities. Oil revenue is critical to funding Iraq's government, as it is the source of a majority of government revenue. IMF directors encouraged Iraq to step up reconstruction efforts, particularly in the oil sector.

On the question of the U.S.'s military gains, Cox had this to say, "The surge may be working and we will hear about the military gains in September - but what about the living standards in Iraq? No military victory will hold if unemployment is still 50% and if the electricity and water don't even work. This is no joke."

If you are interested in interviewing John Cox or having him on as a guest commentator on this issue, please call Laura Grock at (312) 943-1106.

ABOUT JOHN COX

John H. Cox, 52, is the first announced Republican candidate for President in 2008. A self-made millionaire businessman and attorney, Cox made his fortune running successful companies in real estate, law, and venture capital. He helped turn around major potato chip manufacturer, Jays Foods, saving hundreds of jobs and turning millions of dollars in loss into profit. He served on the steering committee for Jack Kemp for President and on the boards of charitable organizations, such as the USO. He is a former president of the Cook County Republican Party in Illinois.

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