6.16.00
Cox for Veep!

6.16.00
Loud and Clear

6.15.00
Crime Makes a Comeback

6.15.00
Trojan Horse Legislation

6.15.00
Noah Pollak Responds

6.15.00
Gore's Phony Accounts

6.14.00
Why Blast the NBA?

6.14.00
Al Gore, Slumlord

6.14.00
Packing the Peace

6.13.00
Convention Chair Gets Schooled

6.13.00
No Con-Census For Domestic Violence

6.13.00
Losing the Peace on English in the Schools

6.12.00
Weird Week for Puerto Rico

6.12.00
A MacNelly Appreciation

6.12.00
Just One Factor

6.12.00
Not So Hot News

6/16/00 2:00 p.m.
Cox for Veep!
Why would George W. pick anyone else?

By Arnold Steinberg

xcerpts from Christopher Cox's resume: a) Harvard Law (Harvard Law Review). Harvard Business School. Simultaneously. (b) Partner, Latham & Watkins, prestigious international law firm. (c) Senior associate counsel, President Ronald Reagan. (d) Age 47, Member of Congress, Ca-47.

More about Cox. He is (an increasing rarity in politics) a married father; and (an oxymoron nowadays) a pro-life Catholic. Family values, great wife, three young kids.

As Paul Harvey would ask: What's the rest of the story?

Cox is one of 23 Members of Congress within (and a victim of) the competitive Los Angeles media market, number two behind NYC. Consequently, he receives little coverage in Southern California media. The mighty Los Angeles Times, even in its Orange County edition, gushes over Orange County's IQ-handicapped Loretta Sanchez (who took the Dornan seat), while barely reporting on the brainy Cox, the region's political superstar. Indeed, the L.A.-based television and radio signals, which report political diversity instead of political substance, reach more than 40% of the state's voters — all of LosAngeles County, Ventura County, the Inland Empire of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, and Orange County, of which the seemingly obscure Cox represents the most affluent and most Republican part.

Cox received national coverage for what became known as the "Cox Report" — his meticulous indictment of the transfer (theft?) of U.S. high-tech security secrets to China. Even now, Cox heads the House Speaker's Action Group on Russia, which includes the committee of Armed Forces, International Relations, Intelligence, Appropriations, and Joint Economics. Take note: Cox knows free market/economics and foreign affairs/nationaldefense. His knowledge of public policy is encyclopedic. He is articulate, he can be eloquent. Can he loosen up? Yes. And, with coaching, set the standard for political debate.

The unpretentious Chris Cox has never been one to beat his own drum. When the repeal of the death tax passed, he did not receive the credit. Yet, Cox (partly inspired by his economist friend Art Laffer) first introduced repeal in 1993, when he could gain only 20 co-sponsors (by 1998, he had 200). He led the House in opposing discriminatory taxation of the Internet. An expert in venture capital, he deserves even more respect in Silicon Valley.

Trivia: what's the only legislation that became law over Clinton's veto?

Chris Cox's securities law reform.

All this understatement may change with media speculation on W's running mate. Unlike some prospects, Chris Cox looks better, closer. He's not just another smart face. He's philosophical, not ideological. He's affable. Democratic Party guru Susan Estrich said she disagreed with fellow Harvard Law classmate Cox on almost everything, but she liked him. Is it because he's the real thing?

No schmoozer or glad-hander, Cox is a listener. He is civil, respectful, tolerant, earnest. Long ago, he must have read the equivalent of Bennett's Book Of Virtues. He sometimes talks the way he writes (with parentheses). But uniquely bright and humble, he will respond quickly to seasoned direction. Can he find happiness giving sound bites? Yes, if he must.

Over the years, he has passed up two chances to run against Senator Dianne Feinstein. Pete Wilson wanted him for lieutenant governor. Following Gingrich's '98 fiasco, Cox flirted with running against Bob Livingston for Speaker. When Livingston resigned, Cox supported Dennis Hastert and later became House Policy Chair, the fourth-ranking member of the leadership. Now, the time may be right.

Campaigning for Bush, VP nominee Chris Cox would be covered more here than anywhere, and finally become the well-deserved media star of the state's dominant Los Angeles media market, Cox could decide this state for Bush: Chris Cox for Vice President.

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