WATERLOO - As more and more presidential potentials stream through Iowa, one Republican candidate has come clean about his intentions.

Chicago businessman John Cox returned to Iowa this week for the fifth time since he announced his candidacy earlier this year. Cox made stops across northeastern and central Iowa, including Independence, Oelwein and Iowa Falls.

"Clearly the (U.S. Sen.) John McCains of the world, the (Massachusetts Gov.) Mitt Romneys and the (U.S. Sen.) Bill Frists - they've all been out there for a long time," he said Wednesday during a telephone interview with the Courier. "… I'm out working to get the name recognition we need."

He has visited all 99 counties. He's spoken at seven county conventions, three district conventions and the state party convention. He's also set up campaign committees in 25 counties.

While he's never held public office, Cox is no stranger to politics. He served as chairman of the Cook County Republican Party. He launched bids for the U.S. Senate in 2000, U.S. House of Representatives in 2002 and Cook County Recorder in 2004.

That lack of experience in public office may also be a blessing for Cox when it comes to swaying an electorate tired of Washington insiders, he said. The crop of potential candidates includes two governors and three multi-term senators.

"I looked at all the people being talked about running for president and the trouble is they're all good people," he said. "I just didn't see a Ronald Reagan in there."

He said his background as a self-made millionaire businessman presents an alternative to career politicians.

Among main issues have been replacing the income tax with a national sales tax, reforming social security and introducing litigation reforms.

During a joint meeting with four county GOP organizations on Saturday in West Union, Cox introduced himself to more than 200 party activists. He said events focusing on retail politics allow him to expand his name recognition.

"The issue here is that people need to see me," he said.

Jon Hapgood, Buchanan County GOP chairman, said he had not heard of Cox before, but was impressed when he listened to him speak,

Getting enough support in the state to get noticed alongside heavyweights like Romney and McCain will be an uphill battle, he said.

"It can be done, but right now he'd be a dark horse at best," Hapgood said.

For more information about Cox, go to www.cox2008.com.

Contact Josh Nelson at (319) 291-1565 or josh.nelson@wcfcourier.com