Nixon's Grandson Running For Congress

We could have another Nixon to kick around. Well, actually, a Cox. In fact, his name is Christopher Cox, not to be confused with the former California GOP representative.

Richard Nixon's grandson is joining the family business.

Like the Kennedys, Carters, Cuomos and Bushes before him, 30-year-old Christopher Nixon Cox is hoping to use his family's political legacy as a springboard to political office.

He's seeking the GOP nomination to run against four-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Bishop in eastern Long Island — a seat Republicans hope to win as part of the party's effort to recapture the House.

In his first extensive interview since announcing his candidacy, Cox told The Associated Press on Tuesday that while he is aware of his grandfather's controversial place in history, it has not yet posed a problem for him on the campaign trail.

"I've honestly only seen upside at this point. Wherever we go people say that my grandfather was their favorite president," said Cox, whose easy smile and bellowing laugh are a contrast to the dour, often awkward man history will remember as the first president to quit the White House, in the midst of the Watergate scandal.

Cox is the only son of Nixon's oldest daughter, Tricia, who married Edward Finch Cox in a White House ceremony in 1971. The elder Cox now chairs the New York State Republican Party.

Chris Cox was born in 1979, five years after Nixon resigned in disgrace. He said voters today are not likely to judge him based on his grandfather's infamous place in history.

"I think bringing up the 1970s is great if you're sitting in a history class, but these are serious times and we need somebody who is going to seriously delve into policy issues and not talk about history," he said.

Good luck with that.