Charlotee Chair ofCommissioners: Rep.Cox Voices big doubt about Bush

[surfermaw]

Posted on Thu, Feb. 26, 2004






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COMMENTARY


Cox voices big doubts about Bush

DON HUDSON


Whenever Ronald Reagan came on the television, Tom Cox got up from his chair and stood at attention.

"To show the man respect," said Cox, the Republican chair of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners.

When Cox watched the State of the Union address last month, he kept his seat. That was the night he realized he didn't trust George Bush, the man he voted for three years ago.

"What I said was, `I don't believe this BS,' " Cox said. "It is just talk. ... He has become more like the guy before him.

"I can't believe the guy."

No, Cox won't attend today's fund-raiser for Bush at the Charlotte Convention Center. He doesn't want to hear any more Bush speeches. He wants Bush to answer questions.

Questions about foreign policy. Questions about the economy. Questions about the president's own integrity.

"He may be as bought and paid for as John Kerry," Cox said. "That $140 million has come from somewhere. Some chips are being called in."

Cox's biggest beef? Bush's huge budget deficits.

"As much as anything, he's a Washington big-spender," said Cox, who helped make cuts, blocked a tax increase, and came up with a balanced county budget. "We have a deficit as far as the eye can see."

More

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/8043045.htm

[wryter2000]

1. Borrow and spend

This is our wedge issue. Borrow and spend.

[leyton]

2. This is good news.

Although obviously the guy isn't going to endorse Kerry, it's good to see that Republicans like him might stay home on election day. I don't think Cox is the only Charlotte Republican politician to distance himself from Bush (although he might be the only one to do it to this degree) - I believe Rep. Myrick is doing the same. Would that NC were a swing state, but alas, it will probably swing Republican in the end.

Interesting that he, a Republican, and I, a Democrat, have the same problems with Bush. "Questions about foreign policy. Questions about the economy. Questions about the president's own integrity."