2008 US Presidential Election.

WASHINGTON - Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor whose popularity soared after his response to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, moved closer to a full-fledged campaign for the Republican presidential nomination on Monday.

In a sign that he’s serious about running for the White House, the two-term mayor was filing a so-called “statement of candidacy” with the Federal Election Commission, said an official close to Giuliani’s campaign.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting any disclosure by Giuliani. The former mayor had public appearances in New York scheduled for later in the day.

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MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.-In his stump speech to supporters gathered among the shrimp boats on the bank of Shem Creek, Mitt Romney makes no mention of hot-button issues like abortion or the role of religion in politics. But when the speech is finished, the Republican presidential hopeful is swarmed by reporters asking only hot-button questions: Will conservative voters believe that the formerly pro-choice ex-governor of Massachusetts is now antiabortion? How did he make the conversion? Will evangelical Christians back a devout Mormon like Romney?

Romney, in a tailored suit and flawlessly coiffed hair, insists that voters are more concerned with other issues, like “How are we going to beat the jihadists? How are we going to be competitive with Asia? How to improve our schools and healthcare.”

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards on Monday proposed spending up to $120 billion a year to fix a “dysfunctional” health care system by requiring health insurance for all Americans and helping to make it more affordable.

Edwards said his health care plan, the first offered by a 2008 White House candidate, was designed to force private companies, government and individuals to share responsibility for insurance coverage.

The price tag would be covered by eliminating President George W. Bush’s tax cuts for those making more than $200,000 a year and by cracking down on unpaid taxes, he said.

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DEMOCRATS:

Delaware Sen. Joe Biden: Wants to withdraw most U.S. troops by end of year, leaving about 20,000 in or near Iraq, as part of plan to see Iraq governed as largely autonomous Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish regions. Opposes deployment of 21,500 more troops. Led Senate effort to pass resolution declaring war is against U.S. interest.

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton: Opposes troop increase, favors cap on troop levels, has not specified timetable for staged withdrawal but says U.S. should extricate itself from Iraq by 2009. Has opposed using congressional spending power to end war.

Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd: Opposes troop increase, would cap force at about 130,000 unless Congress approves more, has not specified withdrawal timetable, would not cut off money.

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards: Favors immediate withdrawal of 40,000-50,000 troops, would block money for troop increase.

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WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards called for a tax increase to ensure health care coverage for all as part of a plan that also would require businesses to provide insurance.

The 2004 vice presidential nominee said the tax increase would pay for the plan’s cost of up to $120 billion a year.

“The time has come for a universal health care reform that covers everyone, cuts costs, and provides better care,” said the plan that Edwards posted Monday on his Web site.

Edwards’ plan is the first detailed health care plan to be offered by a Democrat seeking the White House in 2008. Several others are expected to offer competing ideas to help at least some of the 47 million people who are uninsured.

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WASHINGTON - In speech after speech, Democratic presidential candidates agreed on the issues of the day: Global warming must be stopped, universal healthcare is imperative, the crumbling American education system must be fixed.

And on the biggest issue - Iraq - all the prospective and declared Democratic hopefuls speaking to party activists last weekend were also in basic agreement: that the US must extricate itself from the Iraq war. Where they differed was over one question: How?

As the Senate begins debate Monday on competing resolutions on Iraq, the Democrats are fresh out of their own debate on a way forward in Iraq at the Democratic National Committee’s winter meeting. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) of New York demonstrated the challenge inherent in being the early front-runner: As she seeks to win over enough of the party faithful to win the nomination, she is also looking ahead to the general election campaign, when a position too far to the left could hurt her chances among moderates.

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Consumer champion Ralph Nader, whose candidacy in 2000 may have cost Democratic nominee Al Gore the US presidency, said he was open to a possible run for the White House in 2008.

Nader, a veteran of three attempts at the White House under the Green Party and independent banners, told CNN television he had not decided yet but that he is committed to offering voters more choices than the two mainstream parties, the Democrats and Republicans.

“It’s really too early to say. I don’t like long campaigns,” said Nader, who will turn 73 this month, after being asked about the election to replace President George W. Bush next year.

“But I’m committed to trying to give more voices and choices to the American people on the ballot. That means more third parties, independent candidates and to break up this two-party elected dictatorship that is becoming more and more like a dial for the same corporate dollars.”

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WASHINGTON - Arizona Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) says only Washington insiders believe his 2008 presidential campaign may be suffering because he supports President Bush’s decision to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq.

“Well, I think there’s that, maybe, perception inside the Beltway. But outside, a lot of Republicans are rallying to this belief that we need to have a strategy that can win, and realize the consequences of failure,” McCain said Sunday.

“Many people trust my judgment because they’ve known me for many years,” he said. “Look, it’s of secondary importance, but I think we’re doing just fine, and I think polls indicate that.”

McCain pledged to respond to any negative attacks against him during the race.

“Obviously, I would do so, but I hope we would do so in an honorable fashion,” he said. “We will run an honorable campaign. Most people believe that, and I do, too. I’m committed to it.”

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former presidential candidate Ralph Nader on Sunday left the door open for another possible White House bid in 2008 and criticized Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton as “a panderer and a flatterer.”

Asked on CNN’s Late Edition news program if he would run in 2008, the lawyer and consumer activist said, “It’s really too early to say. … I’ll consider it later in the year.”

Nader, 72, said he did not plan to vote for Clinton, a Democratic senator from New York and former first lady.

“I don’t think she has the fortitude. Actually she’s really a panderer and a flatterer. As she goes around the country, you’ll see more of that,” Nader said.

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WASHINGTON - A few senators from President Bush’s own party may determine the outcome of an Iraq war vote this week that would deal a blow to him. These Republicans, up for re-election in 2008, are faced with balancing party loyalty against voters’ anger at a war that is generally unpopular in their states.

On the table is a resolution by Sen. John Warner (news, bio, voting record), R-Va., that would put the Senate on record as opposing President Bush’s decision to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq.

With Republicans ready to use parliamentary delays that would take 60 votes to force a vote on the Warner measure — and some Democrats opposing the resolution — a handful of the GOP lawmakers who face voters soon are likely to play a crucial role.

Democrats hold a 51-49 working majority in the Senate for organizational purposes — with backing from two independents — but all 51 don’t necessarily vote the same way on a particular issue.

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WASHINGTON - Sen. Joe Biden tried on Saturday to stem the damage from the botched launch of his presidential campaign as underdog candidates in the Democratic field looked to gain momentum from the party faithful.

The Democratic National Committee wrapped up a three-day meeting that featured speeches from all 10 candidates already in the race or considering a bid. The front-runners all appeared Friday before a packed ballroom.

The crowd thinned to roughly half on Saturday, but those in attendance were no less enthusiastic. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson stirred them by calling for a primary without negative campaigning and saying he would bring troops home from Iraq by the end of the year.

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