John Cox, a Republican presidential candidate, took a bold stand Monday calling for Republicans and the party to disassociate themselves from President George W. Bush.

"This last outrage with the immigration compromise is just the straw that broke the camel's back for a lot of good Republicans," Cox said.

Cox admits he voted for President Bush twice, but said he believes the President's principles will compromise the party - and its success in the 2008 election.

"I believe in the Republican Party and the principles of the Republican Party," Cox said.

Cox visited all 99 counties in 2006 in announcing his run for president. He said he plans a similar tour for 2007 in July.

• Listen to audio of Cox's comments

Labels: audio, John Cox

Nine Republican presidential candidates addressed this year's Lincoln Day Dinner fundraiser in Des Moines on April 14.

Each candidate was given 10 minutes to address the crowd, which numbered more than 1,000.

Those attending and speaking were: former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Arizona Sen. John McCain, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo, former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore and businessman John Cox. California Congressman Duncan Hunter had to cancel his appearance after airplane trouble.

• New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani
• Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney
• Illinois businessman John Cox
• Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee
• Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo
• Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore
• Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback
• Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson
• Arizona Sen. John McCain
• Read IowaPolitics.com coverage

Labels: Des Moines, Jim Gilmore, John Cox, John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, RPI, Rudy Giuliani, Sam Brownback, Tommy Thompson