Republican fundraiser hosts 2008 presidential hopeful

By GREG PIERQUET

For the first time in more than 50 years, the 2008 presidential race will not include an incumbent or a sitting vice president. So, over the next two years Iowans will be receiving more visits and calls than usual — many from candidates they have never heard of before.

Chances are, presidential hopeful John Cox, will be one of those unknown candidates. One reason for that is he has never held a public office. Another is that he comes from Illinois, a state where Republican presidential candidates have faired badly in recent years. The candidate recently touted his national vision at the Marshalltown Republican’s 18th annual fundraiser on Friday, Aug. 11.

“I’m a conservative from a blue state,” he said. “That makes things difficult.”

To say he is a conservative — to some Republicans — would be an understatement. In fact, the reason that Cox is running is he feels the Bush administration has done a poor job, in some regards, of keeping to historically Republican ideals such as small government. He was disappointed in the way Republicans like Arizona’s John McCain have strayed on the party’s emphasis on certain issues.

He identified himself as a Reagan Republican, or someone who, according to him, places a heavy emphasis on national defense, states’ rights and family values.

“We’re not Democrats, so we need to stop focusing on their issues,” he emphasized. “We’ve seen a huge increase in government spending, and that’s something we need to address.”

One way Cox would like to change that fact is by eliminating the Internal Revenue Service altogether.

“We need to get rid of income taxing in its entirety,” he said. “How much more simple would it be for no one to have to send in a tax return, and how much money would that save the country to employ all those people?”

Cox, who has held numerous leadership positions working on campaigns for people like Jack Kemp in the 80s and 90s, has never experienced victory for himself in the political arena. When asked what had taken from previously failed campaigns, he was adamant about his goals and ideals.

“I’m not changing who I am,” he insisted. “I’m still talking about big ideas like reforming our tax system and family values.”

He said he was excited about the next two years, noting that he is doing everything he can to visit as many areas as possible in Iowa.

“I’m on a mission and 2008 is a wide open year,” he said. I just don’t see [other candidates] making the bold moves that I’m willing to make.”