Giuliani, Edwards report income
By JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani reported a whopping $16.1 million in earned income over the past 16 months, most of it in speaking fees, according to financial documents filed Wednesday.
Democratic hopeful John Edwards reported earned income of $1.25 million, the biggest single source of which was a hedge fund that employed him part time. He and his wife, Elizabeth, reported $29.5 million in assets, including millions invested in the hedge fund — the Fortress Investment Group.
Giuliani’s report provides the first detailed picture of his vast holdings and income since his term as mayor of New York ended more than five years ago. Since then, Giuliani parlayed his image as an in-charge mayor during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks into lucrative speaking fees and business enterprises.
He reported $13 million to $45 million in assets, including his share in Giuliani & Co., a partnership that provides an array of consulting services. He also listed income from dividends and interest on many of those investments of at least $411,332 and as much as $3.3 million.
The reports were part of a flurry released Wednesday by the Federal Election Commission. The deadline for filing was Tuesday, though several candidates received 45-day extensions, including Democrat Hillary Clinton, and Republicans Mitt Romney, John McCain and Tommy Thompson. Republican Jim Gilmore asked for and received a 30-day grace period.
Romney says voters will accept a Mormon
WASHINGTON - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney says he also is troubled by the Mormon church's past practice of polygamy, but that he can overcome voter concern about his religion.
"What's at the heart of my faith is a belief that there's a creator, that we're all children of the same God and that fundamentally the relationship you have with your spouse is important and eternal," he said Sunday on CBS' "60 minutes."
But the former Massachusetts governor acknowledged that "there's part of the history of the church's past that I understand is troubling to people."
"Look, the polygamy, which was outlawed in our church in the 1800s, that's troubling to me," he said. "I have a great-great grandfather. They were trying to build a generation out there in the desert. And so he took additional wives as he was told to do. And I must admit, I can't imagine anything more awful than polygamy."
Romney, who has five sons with his wife of 38 years, says he was worried he might lose her to somebody else when he left his Michigan high school sweetheart behind in college while he did two years of missionary work in France.
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2008 presidential race candidate Romney's health care plan says everyone pays
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney re-ignited that debate last month when he announced a plan to expand health coverage to all the state's residents, with a caveat that those who don't buy coverage could face a penalty.
"We can't have as a nation 40 million people — or, in my state, half a million — saying, 'I don't have insurance, and if I get sick, I want someone else to pay,' " says Romney.
It's the question behind all health care debates: Who should pay?
Romney's plan says everyone should: The state would work harder to enroll all residents eligible for Medicaid; employers, most of whom already offer insurance, would be encouraged to continue doing so voluntarily; and individuals who don't have insurance would have to sign on to one of two new insurance pools, one of which would be subsidized for lower-income residents.
Here's a video of 2008 presidential race candidate Mitt Romney talking about his health care plan.Romney lists potential running mates
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on Thursday dropped some names of potential running mates in the 2008 presidential race, but added such speculation is a bit premature.
Among those Romney mentioned for the second slot on the Republican ticket were three Southerners: South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
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Young Voters Outreach
The 2008 preisdential race candidates are geraed up to win the youth's crucial vote. With their Web logs, Facebook profiles and college rallies, the 2008 presidential candidates are lavishing attention on a group that displays unbridled enthusiasm early in the campaign but tends to lose interest when the voting starts.
Here's a sample of youth outreach efforts in the presidential campaign:
Republican Mike Huckabee: The former Arkansas governor, 51, has a Web site geared to young voters and will soon start a blog from his campaign travels. He also plays bass in a rock band, Capitol Offense.
Democrat Joe Biden: The Delaware senator, 64, has spoken at college campuses, bought full-page ads in college newspapers and used a variety of podcasts and Web sites to reach young people. "Part of it is built on celebrity," said spokesman Larry Rasky, "but it can also can be built on a passion for the issues."
Republican Mitt Romney: The former Massachusetts governor, 59, is reaching college voters through campus GOP groups in Michigan, South Carolina and other key states as well as through online networks and Web sites with features such as Mitt-TV. "The governor stresses technology and innovation — that appeals to the crowd that grew up in the information age," said spokesman Kevin Madden.
Democrat Dennis Kucinich: The Ohio congressman, 60, doesn't just work the college vote — he visits high schools and junior high schools, too. He favors extending the right to vote to 16-year-olds. "I reach out to young voters and young voters reach out to me," he said. "They're doing it because of my strong stand for peace, my efforts to protect the environment."
