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W wants to bond with Bravest

BY MICHELE MCPHEE in New York and HELEN KENNEDY and KENNETH R. BAZINET in Washington
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

WASHINGTON - President Bush wants to watch the Republican convention from a New York City firehouse and "bond" with the city's Bravest, officials said yesterday. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is also scouting out firehouses so he can watch it with the heroes of 9/11.

"Both Bush and Schwarzenegger want to bond with city firefighters," said one city official who asked not to be named.

FDNY spokesman Frank Gribbon said, "The President of the United States is welcome in any fire facility in the city."

The President intends to watch Wednesday night when Vice President Cheney addresses his party. Bush takes the stage on Thursday night.

Bush campaign spokesman Kevin Madden said only, "I can't confirm any details related to President Bush's schedule in New York City, other than the fact that he's looking forward to accepting his party's nomination on Thursday night."

An evening in the firehouse could rekindle memories of one of Bush's finest moments, standing in the 9/11 rubble with a bullhorn and surrounded by weary firefighters.

The campaign is also anxious to avoid the furor that erupted when it used an image in one of its commercials of a firefighter's body being carried out of Ground Zero.

Sources in Washington said Team Bush hopes to roll out a show of support from some of the city's Bravest.

The city's Uniformed Firefighters Association has yet to endorse a candidate, although the national umbrella firefighters union is backing Sen. John Kerry for President.

"We have not made an endorsement. We have not made a decision on whether we are going to endorse anyone," fire union President Steve Cassidy said yesterday.

Union officials have acknowledged they have received calls and E-mails from some members who say they are with Bush.

Those same union leaders hope Bush will take notice of the cutbacks that the FDNY has undertaken since 9/11.

"Any firefighter would welcome a visit from President Bush, but maybe President Bush should stop by one of the firehouses Mayor Bloomberg has shut down," said Peter Gorman, president of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association.

Schwarzenegger is keeping a low profile in New York, possibly to keep the fairly liberal governor from overshadowing the President.

The Govinator's glitz will be toned down. Cameras are banned when Schwarzenegger slips into town Monday and he is turning down all requests for media interviews while in New York. He will visit a school in Harlem, attend a gala at Planet Hollywood and leave town before Bush speaks Thursday.