Attorney General Mike Cox, a Republican candidate for governor, was the target Tuesday of a radio attack ad accusing him of failing to adequately investigate the much-rumored, never-proved party thrown by then-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick at the Manoogian Mansion.

Cox campaign officials almost immediately attributed the attack, sponsored by a shadowy Washington-based nonprofit, to rival GOP candidate Rick Snyder, an Ann Arbor businessman. Snyder’s campaign denied the charge with equal vehemence.

The 60-second ad takes Cox to task for describing the alleged party as an “urban legend,” for interviewing Kilpatrick about it in private and “undercutting” a State Police investigation. It closes with: “Incompetence? Maybe. Call Mike Cox … and ask him, ‘Was justice served?’ “

The Foundation for a Secure and Prosperous America paid for the ad. It has sponsored so-called issue ads in the past supporting Republican candidates, including U.S. Sen. John McCain when he ran for president in 2008. Aides to Snyder have links to McCain and a consultant with the foundation, but a spokesman, Jake Suski, said Tuesday that Snyder’s campaign had “absolutely nothing” to do with the ad.

No one from the foundation could be reached.

There has been wide speculation in Michigan political circles about the effect Cox’s association with the Kilpatrick scandal would have on his campaign. Cox has likened it to “gum on my shoe.” But the ad is the first direct attack to make the link, asking, “Urban legend? Or an urban cover-up?”

Cox spokesman Nick DeLeeuw said the ad was a false personal attack and not connected to issues that matter to voters. Stations broadcasting it will be asked to stop, he said.

Source:freep.com/DAWSON BELL