Posted on Thu, Feb. 26, 2004
R E L A T E D L I N K S
• Archive of Hudson columns
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."
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http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/8043045.htm