Giuliani Would Offer Tax Cuts

To Help Pay for Insurance

Former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R) released a health care proposal that avoids the expansion of government programs and tax increases on the wealthy that have defined the plans put out by Democratic 2008 contenders Barack Obama and John Edwards, but also would cover far fewer people.

When employers offer health insurance to workers, those expenses can be written off. Under Giuliani's plan, families could also exclude as much as $15,000 in health-care spending from their taxes. The former mayor's plan would also offer tax credits to low-income individuals and calls for efforts to reduce the number of lawsuits filed against doctors.

Giuliani's campaign did not release an estimate, but health-care experts said the plan resembles a proposal from President Bush in his State of the Union speech this year calling for coverage of 7 million of the uninsured.

In a speech in Rochester, N.H., Giuliani sharply contrasted his approach with those of Democrats, saying, "If you take more people and have government cover it, it's called socialized medicine." The more important contrast in the campaign may be with fellow Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney. As governor of Massachusetts, Romney signed a universal health-care bill that expands public programs such as Medicaid and requires individuals to buy insurance -- a step Giuliani opposes.

-- Perry Bacon Jr.

OBAMA ON THE AIRWAVES

In Iowa, Campaign Ad Urges

New Limits on Lobbyists

Barack Obama also released a new ad in Iowa focused on his promise to limit the influence of lobbyists if he is elected president.

In a 30-second spot called "Take It Back," Obama says of lobbyists: "They think they own this government. But we're here today to take it back."

To emphasize the point, Obama's campaign also will put signs in its offices around the state that read: "Not Paid for by PAC or Federal Lobbyist Money."

-- Perry Bacon Jr.