Cox Prepares For Hillary Showdown

Gearing up for a possible run for Senate against Hillary Rodham Clinton, former President Nixon's son-in-law Edward Cox announced the formation Wednesday of an exploratory committee that includes Henry Kissinger and other GOP elders.

The New York lawyer also accused Clinton of being "more concerned about the polls in Iowa and New Hampshire" than the needs of New Yorkers.

"She parachuted into New York solely for the reason of running for the Senate and now she's running for the presidency," said Cox, who is married to Nixon's daughter Tricia. "How can she focus on the problems of New York when she's really thinking of running for the presidency?"

The exploratory committee includes Kissinger, Nixon's national security adviser and secretary of state; Theodore Roosevelt IV, former chairman of the League of Conservation Voters and a managing director at Lehman Brothers; and William H. Taft, a former ambassador to NATO and legal adviser to the State Department.

Clinton repeatedly has said she is focused on her re-election. "While the Republicans sort out their nominating process, Hillary Clinton will continue to stay focused on working for New Yorkers," said Howard Wolfson, a spokesman for Clinton.

Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro has been mentioned as a possible Republican candidate.