Outsider Takes Aim At Oval Office

Candidate John Cox opens Queen City digs

The Manchester Daily Express, Manchester, NH
Jan. 4, 2007
By Dan Magazu

The Queen City played host to another presidential candidate from Illinois again yesterday, but John Cox doesn't exactly draw crowds like U.S. Sen. Barack Obama did last month.

Last March, Cox became the first Republican to formally enter the 2008 presidential race. He also became the first of what's likely to be many long-shots to make a bid at the White House.

Yesterday, about 20 people showed up when Cox opened his campaign office at 788 Elm St., in space above the Merrimack Restaurant. "This is a small group but a hearty group," Cox said. "We're going to make some noise here in New Hampshire."

Cox is a successful Chicago attorney, accountant and investment manager who has been traveling to Iowa, New Hampshire, and other key election states, trying to convince people that he should be the next president. Originally a Democrat, Cox was drawn to the Republican party by Ronald Reagan's fiscal and social conservatism.

If elected, Cox would like to abolish the federal income tax and the Internal Revenue Service and replace them with a national sales tax. He would also look to lower gas prices by drilling for more oil in the U.S. and seeking alternative energy sources.

And Iraq? Cox believes that the country's oil industry needs to be built back up to support the people, before troops should be withdrawn. "If you don't have hope for the future in terms of prosperity, it's hard to support a government," Cox said. "We need to build the country's economy."

On his campaign Web site, www.cox2008.com, Cox describes himself as a born again evangelical Catholic. He opposes abortion and gay marriage.

It's not his first run for office. In 2000, Cox ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Congress in Illinois' 10th district, finishing fourth out of ten candidates during the primary. In 2002, he ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in Illinois, finishing third in the primary.

He does not see his lack of political experience as a disadvantage.

"John McCain has never run a business," Cox said. "My experience is different experience. It's not better or worse."

Among those on hand, Bob Bjorkman of Derry sees Cox's lack of political experience as an advantage.

"I like the fact that he hasn't been a politician all his life," Bjorkman said. "I think that's a point in his favor."

Bjorkman heard Cox speak last July, liked what he heard, and immediately signed up for his campaign.

"I fell in love with him," Bjorkman said.

Part of the reason Cox believes he can win is because of the nature of the first-in-the- nation primary.

"People in New Hampshire want to talk about politics," Cox said. "They relish in the tradition of the primary."