Republican candidates campaigning in Florida have discussed a variety of proposals to increase the federal government's role in insuring homeowners' against losses incurred by natural disasters, including hurricanes.

1. Giuliani challenged McCain and Romney on the issue at the Republican debate in Boca Raton on January 24
2. Local concerns often take on large roles in primary contests, such as the ethanol proposals heard during the 2008 Iowa Caucus

• Google News: Catastrophic Fund Plan

• WSJ.com: "Catastrophic-Fund Plan Moves to Fore in Florida" (January 26, 2008)
  • One reason for the state of Florida moving up its primary to earlier in the schedule was to focus attention on th eneed for a national catastrophe fund. The notion was originally backed by the state's governor, Charlie Crist.
• CBS News: Giuliani: Romney + McCain = "Me" (January 25, 2008)
  • Giuliani: "I see this as both a humane solution and a fiscally conservative solution. Some of the other candidates, I think maybe not being here as often as I have, I don't think understand the issuea s much as I do."
• The New York Times: In Fla., Giuliani Tackles Insurance (January 16, 2008)
• MNSBC.com: Rudy/McCain on catastrophic insurance (January 22, 2008)
• Associated Press: McCain, Romney Jockey for Top Spot (January 25, 2008)
  • Giuliani said at the debate: "Senator McCain has said that he does not support a national catastrophic fund as a backstop. I do. Senator McCain believes that FEMA should handle this."
• FloridaToday.com: "GOP hopefuls battle in Boca" (January 25, 2008)
• SunSentinel.com: "Ignoring need for catastrophe fund would be disaster" (January 25, 2008)
• American Prospect: Tapped: Candidates on Catastrophes (January 24, 2008)
• Google Blog Search: Catastrophic Fund Plan

• YouTube: Giuliani ad: "Jumpstart" (Time 0:30)