Cox for VP?

Former conservative colleagues in the House of Representatives are boosting Christopher Cox, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) since 2005, to be Sen. John McCain's vice presidential running mate.

A White House aide under President Ronald Reagan, Cox served 16 years as a congressman from Orange County, Calif., and was chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee. He was named as a federal appeals court judge to begin President George W. Bush's administration, but withdrew after Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer of California announced her opposition.

Former Rep. Rob Portman of Ohio, who also was a member of the House leadership before joining the Bush Cabinet, is being promoted for vice president by Washington insiders. But Cox's backers in the House argue that Portman lacks Cox's stature in the conservative movement, which they say McCain needs.

Republican Loser

Important Illinois Republicans are urging dairy mogul Jim Oberweis, who last Saturday lost the district previously held by Speaker Dennis Hastert, to drop out of the competition for a full term. However, it is unlikely Oberweis would consider stepping aside.

Oberweis, who had lost three previous bids for statewide office, won nominations both to fill the unexpired term of the resigned Hastert and for the two-year term. After losing his self-financed campaign to businessman-scientist Bill Foster for the short term, Oberweis is given little chance in a November rerun.

Losing Hastert's predominantly Republican district means the Democrats can gain two to four additional congressional seats from Illinois in this year's elections.