Rep. Chris Cox: GOP's perfect vice president

Human Events, Jul 21, 2000 by Hillyer, Quin

Ask any political analyst to list the ideal characteristics for a running mate for George W. Bush, and the pundit would describe somebody who is telegenic, wellspoken, intelligent and Roman Catholic. He'd also be conservative enough to energize the Republican "base" but thoughtful and moderate of demeanor, be recognized by the press for being substantive on policy, and would boast a record of bipartisan accomplishment. Finally, he (or she) would hail from a state of great electoral importance, be a few years younger than Bush but with considerable Washington experience, and be particularly strong on issues where Vice President Gore is noticeably vulnerable.

In short, the pundit would describe U.S. Rep. Chris Cox of California, the chairman of the House Republican Policy Commitee.

Why Candidate Bush Needs Californian Cox

By all accounts, ranging from those of columnist Bob Novak to the Associated Press and the Austin American Statesman, Cox has.emerged from "dark horse" status to reach Bush's proverbial "short list" of vice presidential possibilities. Here's why George W Bush needs Chris Cox:

Cox is the "security" candidate. He's about the only person around who's well an expert on three of this campaign's top issues: national security, Social Security and financial securities.

On national security, he's an authority on Asia, technology transfers to China, nuclear espionage and Russia. On the first three, he is well known for crafting a unanimous, bipartisan consensus for the socalled Cox Report. He has a long history of demonstrating expertise on Russian iss-ues, and even speaks Russian. And he's a strong supporter of missile defense.

Those are all areas, of course, on which Gore should be politically vulnerable.

On Social Security, Cox is an eloquent advocate of the kind of investment plan that Bush advocates. "If we leave Social Security exactly as it is," Cox told me in April, "it's poised to go off a cliff. . . . And that threatens the future for today's yours- ger workers."

Finally, on an issue of crucial for the stock market boom that has turned a majority of Americans into an "investor class," Cox was the author of the only bill ever to be. voted into law over Clinton's veto. Ca lled the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, it protects shareholders from spurious, "fishing expedition" lawsuits.

If Al Gore is a cyber-Geek, Chris Cox is cyber-cool. Cox doesn't loudly and ludicrously claim that he created the Internet, but coolly goes about his business while dictating speeches into a hand-held device that converts his words into print. Name a new technology, and he likely already uses it. Guess which of the two men will earn more votes from "new economy" workers from Silicon Valley to Seattle?

Cox is pithy and seemingly unflappable. He knows how to start every answer with a good sound bite-and then follow up with a concise and detailed explication. For instance, as a guest on a New Orleans radio station recently, he was pressed on why he voted for Permanent Normal Trade Relations. "Because I was able to amend the bill to help promote human rights," Cox immediately answered. Great sound bite.

Then there's California. Recent polls in that electoral-vote Mecca show a Gore lead ranging from 11 points down to three. Cox is no guarantee to carry the state for George Bush. But he would put California in play and make Gore spend precious time and money defending the his lead. Cox, 47, would appeal to the state's boomers (and those across the country) and its high-tech industry, as well as energize the conservative base without unduly scaring Democratic voters.

Finally, as an added bonus, a Cox candidacy would probably make it easier for a President Bush to govern, by helping ensure a Republican majority in Congress. Five California House seats are tottering-- but by turning out the Republican base, candidate Cox could help save them.

In sum, the brainy Cox-former editor of the Harvard Law Review, and someone well respected by the press-is just the right prescription for a Bush campaign looking for a politically potent blend of energy and gravitas. Like Ronald Reagan before him, Cox is somebody conservatives can rally around, while expanding the party's base. In short, he's as perfect a vice-presidential choice as Republicans have ever found.

HOW'S YOUR POLITICAL I.Q.?

1. There has been discussion that the Republican National Convention this year will do away with the traditional keynote address. Who was the keynote speaker at the last GOP convention?

2. Who was the first woman to make a keynote address at a GOP national convention?

3. Who was the first women to make a keynote address at a Democratic National Convention?

4. Who was the first African-American to make a keynote address at either party's National convention?

5. In 1956, Democrats decided to handle the keynote of their national convention differently by featuring a keynote film, Pursuit of Happiness, before the traditional speech. Who narrated Pursuit of Happiness?