John Cox might make a run for president

BY SCOTT FORNEK
Political Reporter for the Chicago Sun Times

Excerpts from the Sun Times:

Despite the string of past defeats for lesser offices, the Gold Coast businessman said Thursday it's "pretty likely" he will seek the GOP nomination for the presidency in 2008.

Cox, 50, has a "John Cox for President" Web site up and said he will file the paperwork to set up an exploratory committee with the Federal Election Commission in the next few days.

"I am doing this because there are serious questions that need to be addressed. I care about this country," Cox said. "I care about the issues. And I care about what happens. And that is why I am doing this."

Cox spoke in a telephone interview from Washington, where he was attending the Conservative Political Action Conference.

He said he wants to ignite a national debate about Social Security reform, simplifying the U.S. tax code, the future of Medicare and reining in federal spending.

Cox is a tax lawyer and accountant and manages real estate and investment portfolios. He was coy about how much of his personal fortune he would invest in the race, saying only "I'm going to probably put some in."

Cox said he has already received e-mails from people ready to help. "Maybe its time for a true outsider, not a professional politician, not someone who has been elected to a lot of things," he said.