Illinois businessman running for president

Freeman Klopott
Keene (NH) Sentinel Staff

Saturday, February 3, 2007

Republican John Cox has already taken two unsuccessful shots at political office in his home state of Illinois, but he's not letting that hold him back from trying to take a seat behind the president's desk in the Oval Office.

The Chicago businessman-turned-politician wants his life story - from small beginnings on Chicago's south side to multimillionaire - to represent America to the world.

He has already been making his rounds through New Hampshire, opening an office in Manchester last month and stopping in Keene on Friday.

Cox admits getting elected is a long shot, but he said he's hoping his combination of fiscal and social conservatism will play well with Republicans who might feel the party has strayed from its core values.

If elected president, Cox, who is anti-abortion, would replace the income tax with a national sales tax, and would apply market-driven solutions to help cut costs in health care and Social Security.

"I don't believe in government doing the job," he said.

Then there's Iraq. Cox said a troop increase isn't necessary, and cites generating economic growth as a top priority there.

Cox said he would cut down on U.S. offensive maneuvers there so more troops could be stationed along oil pipelines to help increase oil production. This, he said, could provide the cash necessary for Iraq to rebuild itself.

Cox shakes off his status as a relative political newcomer - his biggest goal is to get politicians out of politics, he said.

In Illinois, Cox ran for seats in both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate, but never made it past the primaries. He did serve as president of Chicago's Republican party, but he has never held an elected position.

He said he decided to run for president because not one of the candidates in the already crowded field was able to convince him they would get anything done.

That's because "to me they're part of the problem. Ambitious career politicians are in politics for the money and power," Cox said.

Their goal, he said, is to create a big government where political handouts turn into cash payoffs at election time. That's why the income-tax system has gaping loopholes for the rich, Cox said, and why congressmen fight to get on committees that write tax code.

Also, Cox said, getting away from what he calls Illinois' dominating liberal political machine will help his chances.

"The presidency shouldn't be for sale," he said. "Not accepting public money isn't a badge of honor."

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