Anybody who saw coverage of any major Kerry campaign events saw Schaitberger puckering up on stage. Here he's holding hands with his favorite fella. You may recognize him from numerous annual appearances on the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon.
Posted on 03/12/2004 9:48:11 AM PST by areafiftyone
When, in the future, the Bush campaign is “using firefighters for their photo op,” the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) “will loudly and aggressively” make known the administration’s cuts to federal funds for first responders, Harold Schaitberger, the group’s general president, told The Hill.
Schaitberger, responding to a controversial campaign ad featuring fire fighters, said President Bush has “the right to focus on his performance and leadership during a catastrophic and disastrous day.”
But he added that the use of images in the ad, “by any candidate, for any reason, is unacceptable,” especially for “partisan, purely political reasons.”
Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) is among several GOP members who have jumped to the president’s defense, calling the criticism of the ads “totally political” and “purely partisan.”
Schaitberger said the administration had “failed the profession,” and he listed initiatives for first responders that the administration cut, including programs to add staff and equipment to firehouses.
The IAFF has called on Bush to apologize for including the images in his ad campaign and to pull it from the air. Schaitberger said a delegation of local firefighters submitted a resolution passed on the issue to Bush’s campaign headquarters, but was left waiting for 45 minutes and departed without meeting any campaign officials.
Republicans dismissed the IAFF request as politicking. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said he “wouldn’t have run the part [of the ad] where the body was brought out.”
But he added that “everybody realizes that one of the strongest aspects of [Bush’s] presidency is his leadership after Sept. 11” and that he has “every right to use this as an issue.”
Lott added, “I love firefighters and policemen as individuals and as a group, [but] I don’t think much of their unions.”
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) called the IAFF criticism an “outrageous charge,” adding that it is part of the political “silly season.”
Lott predicted that in the end, “firemen will vote for Bush and the bosses will endorse” Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.).
The Bush campaign did not return calls seeking comment.
The IAFF played a critical role in helping Kerry secure the Democratic nomination and could play a role in the general election.
The group, seen as one of the most effective labor unions, admits that it usually has operated under the radar screen. However, the voice and stature of firefighters has increased since Sept. 11.
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) called the firefighters “one of the most active and effective organizations in their endorsements. They really come out for whoever they endorse.”
The IAFF endorsement means the Kerry campaign will have the support of a credible group willing to criticize the administration on homeland security and for trying to capitalize on Sept. 11.
The administration’s response to the 2001 terrorist attacks is a cornerstone of Bush’s re-election campaign, as evidenced by the first batch of ads he has aired.
But these first spots also brought controversy over the use of the images from Sept. 11, including those of firefighters. The IAFF, along with the families of some victims, has been most vocal in condemning the ads.
The relationship between the Bush administration and firefighters turned sour quickly after the terrorist attacks.
The IAFF and Congress wanted more federal funding for firefighters, which the administration opposed. Schaitberger argued that this has resulted in fire stations being closed and fire fighters being less safe.
Though Schaitberger calls Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge “a great American patriot” and “an honorable man,” the two never saw eye to eye on the role of the federal government in funding first responders.
Regarding differences between the administration and Congress on federal first- responder funding, McCain said, “We’re still working on that.”
Kerry campaign spokesman David Wade said Bush’s “broken promise to the firefighters of this country makes it more difficult to argue their effectiveness on homeland security.”
“It is one thing to put your arm around a firefighter,” but another to make good on a promise “after the bagpipes stop wailing,” Wade said.
Bush often surrounded himself with firefighters and other first responders after the terrorist attacks, but the IAFF is now focused on getting him out of the White House.
Asked whether the IAFF’s reaction to the Bush ads reflects the union’s support for Kerry, Schaitberger said only that there is a “perfect contrast” between the candidates. “[Kerry] has responded to fire fighters and their community throughout his career,” he added.
The Kerry campaign knows how much the IAFF endorsement has meant to the candidate’s winning the Democratic nomination. Wade said the majority of meetings Kerry held in Iowa took place in firehouses, adding that there is not a “harder-working, more loyal organization within organized labor.”
Clinton said that the fire fighters “have national standing but also local influence all over the nation.”
Schaitberger said he believes his organization is so effective because fire fighters “are part of the very fabric of their communities.” He said firehouses are a place of “safety and trust” and build a connection with citizens.
That comment coming from someone who was booed off the stage by the heros at the September 11th benefit. Keep dreaming Hillary.
Pity, isn't it!
They attempted to exploit 9/11 to renegotiate for more money.
Firefighters Union Thug Leaders to go after Bush...
It is time for every fire fighter to stand up and be counted. Let them take their stand.
Schaitberger Stumps for Kerry
January 28: John Kerry surged to a convincing win the nation’s first Presidential Primary. Senator Kerry won handily over longtime frontrunner Howard Dean by a margin of 39-27%. Kerry bested all other candidates by at least 3 to 1 margins.
Since the IAFF unveiled its endorsement of Kerry at a Firehouse in Manchester last October, New Hampshire Fire Fighters have been at the forefront of Kerry’s efforts in the Granite State.
Led by State President Dave Lang, IAFF affiliates and members played host to Senator Kerry and sponsored a series of events to introduce the “Fire Fighters Candidate” to New Hampshire voters. Most notably, the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire organized dozens of “Chili feeds” where Senator Kerry doled out gourmet firehouse chili and talked politics with potential voters. These events reached thousands of voters.
After Kerry’s surprise victory in Iowa, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger spent the last week in New Hampshire on the campaign trail helping to keep Kerry’s momentum going.
"I spent a week here in New Hampshire because John Kerry represents our future. In my thirty plus years on the line, no Presidential candidate has ever embraced the fire service and the IAFF like John Kerry. He is our Real Deal," said General President Schaitberger...
This has all the earmarks of a sleazy old shakedown to me.
Who are these guys and do most firefighters belong to this one union?
Anybody who saw coverage of any major Kerry campaign events saw Schaitberger puckering up on stage. Here he's holding hands with his favorite fella. You may recognize him from numerous annual appearances on the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.