Michigan Attorney General Points to Performance
Cox Promises Continued Results
In May 16 Talk to Eastside Forum
“One thing I've tried to do since I have been Attorney General is to show results,” said a confident Mike Cox, who brought his re-election bid to the May 16, 2006, ERC Forum in Grosse Pointe Farms.
Speaking at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Cox detailed his progress in pursuit of Medicare fraud, unpaid child support, consumer protection, Ford Foundation governance, and tobacco settlement collections.
Looking forward to success in his November reelection campaign, Cox reflected on the challenges faced by President Abraham Lincoln.
Cox said that Lincoln was a man of resolve despite losing five of his first seven elections. Cox said that today we read more about Lincoln's presidency than about any other president, yet, at the time, many believed Lincoln would lose his re-election campaign.
“We wouldn't remember anything about him if he hadn't won,” Cox said. “Part of how we are judged is how we fare on Election Day. We have to show determination and deliver results.”
ERC Introduces
Added Forum Feature
Marti Miller, ERC chairman, inaugurated a new feature at the May Forum monthly forums.
Starting at with the May 16 meeting, coffee and dessert are available before the meeting's 7:30 p.m. call to order.
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Cox said, “Democrats want people to think they are the party of consumer protection.” Yet, he said, during his first three years in office the consumer protection division recovered more than $35 million, including more than $12.9 million in recoveries directly to Michigan consumers. This is more than recoveries by any other Michigan Attorney General during a comparable period.
Cox said, “Republicans believe in less government. We are the party of the free market, empowering the citizens.”
He said, “Republicans also look out for the most vulnerable-children and seniors.” Cox reported that $25 million has been collected in delinquent child support payments.”
According to Cox, all of these collections and the prosecution of numerous Medicare fraud cases demonstrate that Republicans deliver results.
Race for Governor
Turning to the race between Dick DeVos and the incumbent Governor, Cox said, “In Michigan, there are 400,000 people looking for jobs.” He said that while U.S. unemployment is down to 4.7%, Michigan unemployment is about two points above the national average.”
By comparison, he said, today's national unemployed numbers are lower than during the Clinton presidency.
But in Michigan, Cox said, “We have a chief executive who doesn't look at results. She talks about what's trendy, then forgets to follow through.”
The Attorney General said, “The Governor hasn't delivered on good policy.”
Pointing to the relationship between good policy and politics, Cox said, “I believe that when you deliver good policy, the politics will take care of itself.”
With confidence, Cox added, “I will be delivering policy results. I can guarantee that I will win!”
Cox's Reelection Campaign
Cox noted, “November 7 is coming upon us very quickly.” Applying his passion for results to his campaign, Cox asked, "What does 'results' mean for us? Today, it means victory!"
Although the Attorney General race doesn't get the same attention as the contest for governor or Federal office, Cox said, “The campaign is going very well.”
Ford Foundation
During a question/answer period, Cox was asked about the inquiry into Ford Foundation activities. Cox said that because the foundation exists as a Michigan entity, he is responsible to ensure that donor intent and corporation governance comply with Michigan statute.
He said stakes are high, as the foundation has $11.4 billion in assets and makes $500 million in annual grants. Cox noted that from 1937 to 1950, 97% of grant recipients included hospitals, museums, and local charities located in southeast Michigan. Yet from 1998 to 2003, recipients in southeast Michigan accounted for just one-quarter of one percent of foundation grants.
Cox stated the foundation has a fiduciary obligation to be a good steward and avoid any conflict of interest. In this regard, he noted that Ford Foundation vice President and chief investment officer Linda B. Strumpf has also served as a member of the Ms Foundation for Women investment committee. Strumpf, he said, was drawing salaries from both non-profits while $6.5 million was granted by Ford to the Ms Foundation.
“It doesn't pass the smell test,” Cox said.
Tobacco Settlement Payments to Michigan
Cox explained the State's battle to collect its share of the tobacco settlement. He said Michigan is to receive $280 in annual settlement funds as agreed by the five largest U.S. tobacco companies. This year Michigan is in a dispute with these companies over their withholding of $30 million of their annual payment to the State.
Education & Experience
Born in 1961, Cox entered the Marines after graduation from Detroit's Catholic Central High School and graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1989. He then went to work for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office where he prosecuted organized crime cases ranging from public corruption to drug and gang-related homicides. Cox has tried more than 125 jury trials, in addition to hundreds of bench trials, with a conviction rate in excess of 90 percent.
In 2000, Cox was appointed Director of the Wayne County Prosecutor's Homicide Unit, which prosecuted approximately two-thirds of all homicides in Michigan.
He and his wife, Laura, a former federal agent, have four children.
