Giuliani Says Lower Taxes

I'm Kid News Reporter Michael Riordan reporting on the campaign trail.  On January 16, I covered a Rudy Giuliani event in Panama City, Florida.

It's all about a big win in Florida for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has crisscrossed the state for weeks before the January 29 primary election.

On January 16, he held a rally at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City. He greeted a crowded room full of excited supporters as he came to discuss what he thinks is the key to winning Florida's 8 million votes.  He is hoping a win in Florida will give him the momentum he needs to win key states on Super Tuesday, February 5, when 22 states go to the polls.

"This election is very important, and I need your help," Giuliani said. "And with your help and support, we will win the Republican nomination, and we will win the presidency, and we'll move this country in a direction of strength, security, prosperity, and growth. These are the cornerstones of what I want to do."

Giuliani said his first priority is lowering taxes. He presented a new income tax form that would make income taxes easier to file. He asserts the average citizen could save many hours and approximately $7,000 a year by using the new income tax form. He also wants to make President George Bush's tax cuts permanent.

Giuliani also supports rapid increases in personnel and modern equipment for all branches of the military.

"It is important to reverse the damage of the peace dividend of the 1990s after the cold war. We have never made up for the deep cuts that were made in those days," he said.

His next topic was immigration. People who are in America illegally should have to "get in line, pay a fee, and learn how to read English, write English, and speak English," he said.

Giuliani has had the Sunshine State to himself for much of January. That will change after January 19, when his Republican rivals turn their attentions from the caucuses in Nevada and the primary in South Carolina. (Democrats also hold a primary on January 29, but candidates have not campaigned in the state by the request of the national party organization. The Democratic National Committee said it will not seat Florida Democratic delegates at the national convention as punishment for moving the primary date into January.)

Photo: Michael Riordan