EDITORIAL

Once again, Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) has come up just a

bit short.

This time the position his name was attached to was a judgeship on the

9th Circuit Court of Appeals, an influential seat that had people

discussing the possibility of Cox eventually ending up on the U.S.

Supreme Court.

But as in the past -- Cox has been tied to races for the U.S. Senate

and more than once been named as a possible vice-presidential candidate

-- the reports and rumors did not come together. Because of opposition

from Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), which promised to be strengthened by

Vermont Sen. James Jefford’s defection from the Republican Party, Cox

last week asked the White House to withdraw his name from consideration

for the seat.

Personally, it is a loss for Cox, who essentially would have been

assured a lifetime position at the top of the legal profession. But for

Newport Beach, it could be a big win.

First of all, the early front-runners in the race to replace Cox did

not have strong ties to Newport Beach. While locals John Crean, Bill Cote

and Don Udall expressed interest in the seat, they faced career

politicians who promised to put up a tough, and if necessary, expensive

fight. Newport Beach’s chance of continuing to have a hometown

representative was, at best, up in the air.

Secondly, the city, and the district as a whole, stood to lose its

senior representation in Cox, who is the only Californian in the House

leadership. While there are arguments over how well Cox has wielded his

authority to help his district, there is no substitute for seniority and

connections when it comes to Washington politics.

Most importantly, Newport Beach stands to win big if the congressman

follows through on a statement he made in his letter to Boxer announcing

his withdrawal: “This will permit me to redouble my efforts in Congress.”

There are certainly a number of issues pressing for Newport Beach

residents. The extension of John Wayne Airport flight caps and the fate

of El Toro are the largest. But others -- from the estate tax to Internet

taxation to the status of the San Joaquin Reservoir and the continued

dredging of the Back Bay -- could at any point benefit from Cox’s

redoubled work in the House.

At least, until the next rumor of his moving on grips us.