While many presidential candidates argue whether the war in Iraq can be resolved militarily or politically, Republican candidate John Cox is pushing an economic solution to U.S. woes - one that begins with increasing Iraq's oil production and using the revenues to rebuild the nation's economy.

Cox, a businessman from Illinois who presents himself as the most consistent conservative in the Republican race, discussed his views on Iraq, taxes, immigration and other issues when he met Monday with The Sentinel's editorial board.

Generally lacking in money, celebrity and a resume of high-level government work, Cox has nevertheless visited New Hampshire 15 times in recent months in an effort to broadcast his message, which includes harsh criticism of the Bush administration's handling of the war.

"The mismanagement has been horrendous," Cox said, pointing out the unemployment rate in Baghdad is roughly 50 percent, four years after the invasion of Iraq.

An opponent of Bush's decision several months ago to send an additional 20,000-plus troops to Iraq - the so-called "surge" - Cox said he would put more emphasis on using the American military to protect Iraqi oil infrastructure, and on getting Iraqi oil revenues into the hands of the Iraqi people, so they can have food, shelter, health care and other basic needs.

Comparing Iraq to a business and its current political leaders to managers, Cox said they should be replaced if they can't make progress.

"I'm not saying the Iraqi government are our employees, but you know, we put them in power," he said.

Protecting Iraqi oil fields isn't just for the Iraqis, in Cox's view: It's also important for this nation's security, he said. If that oil fell into enemy hands, it would empower that enemy to "do a lot of damage," he said.

"We don't want those oil fields in the hands of al-Qaida," he said.

On the domestic front, Cox's proposals include eliminating the income tax and the payroll tax, replacing them with a 23 percent sales tax.

Manufacturing is a key generator of growth in the U.S. economy, but the income tax chases that growth away, he said.

Cox also supports eliminating the departments of commerce and education, along with the Internal Revenue Service.

He said he supports federal spending on education, but believes the money can be given to the states in the form of block grants, allowing state and local officials to decide how to spend it.

"We don't need a federal program for them to be accountable to, with a whole bunch of bureaucrats receiving a whole bunch of reports that they file in a whole bunch of file cabinets that nobody ever reads," he said.

On immigration, Cox said he supports cutting off employment of illegal immigrants and sending them back to their home countries, if possible.

Forcing immigrants to return home can be "heartbreaking" in some cases, but it's unfair to allow people who broke the law to benefit while those who apply for legal entry into this country continue to wait, he said.

"You've got to hurt somebody in this whole thing," he said.

After unsuccessful efforts to get into the Republican presidential debate in South Carolina last month, Cox is now fighting for a spot in the debate in New Hampshire next month, he said.

"I haven't gotten the CNNs of the world or Fox News to cover me as a credible candidate yet," he said, but he believes the time he's spent campaigning in New Hampshire - 60 days, he estimates - should count toward his inclusion in the debate.

Cox said he's serious about winning the presidency, and he said he can - if the national media covers his campaign.


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