Inside the Beltway

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Call to arms

When it comes to combating our crime epidemic, the nation's capital might learn something from the state of Florida, where it's just been reported that the crime rate has dropped for the 14th straight year, to its lowest mark since 1971.

"This report shows that staying tough on crime works," Florida Gov. Jeb Bush told the Associated Press. "Law-abiding citizens that have guns for protection actually probably are part of the reason we have a lower crime rate."

Rudy run?

As for one politician whose popularity skyrocketed after he got tough on crime, we are told this week that former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani most likely will enter the 2008 Republican presidential sweepstakes.

"At this stage, it's more likely that he will run than not," a top adviser to Mr. Giuliani tells Inside the Beltway.

God turns 50

It made little news given all the week's turmoil, but the Senate has just agreed to a resolution reaffirming the 50th anniversary of the formal adoption of the national motto of the United States — "In God We Trust."