Posted on 03/14/2007 7:46:53 PM PDT by Spiff
Some 9/11 families, FDNY protest Giuliani
Eyewitness News
(New York - WABC, March 14, 2007) - Rudy Giuliani held his first New York City fundraiser on Wednesday night in his not-yet-official bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
But for a man who's banking on his September 11th reputation, there is strong opposition from victims' families and New York firefighters -- and it's getting nasty. Eyewitness News political reporter Dave Evans is in Midtown with the story.
Rudy Giuliani is hoping to raise about $2 million dollars at Wednesday night's fundraiser at the Sheraton in Midtown. But a lot of people are not happy about it and do not see Rudy as a hero from that most tragic time in our city's history.
It is a carefully crafted image: the hero of 9/11, America's mayor. But now the international firefighters union is on the attack.
In November of 2001, firefighters were furious. They accused the mayor of prematurely scaling back the search for remains at ground zero. The union's president last week wrote "the fundamental lack of respect that Giuliani showed is unforgivable."
Peter Gorman, Uniformed Firefighers Officers Association: "It was disrespect for human life, human remains and human dignity. And it was really the straw that broke the camel's back. There were so many issues before 9-11 that speak volume about his failed leadership."
Today in Washington, the union hosted a forum with almost every single candidate for president. John McCain was there, Barack Obama showed up and Hillary Clinton got a huge welcome, after ripping politicians who court firefighters only during a campaign.
"It's great for the photo ops but how about taking care of the people who have taken care of us across our country," Clinton said.
Rudy Giuliani, though, wasn't there. The union at first considered not inviting him. It back tracked. Giuliani then said he'd come, but later changed his mind.
Earlier this week Giuliani said firefighters are his heroes.
"Some tend to be heavily Democratic unions, so you're going to have all kinds of agendas there but it does nothing for my bond with firefighters or what I would do for them if I were president of the United States," Giuliani said.
Despite the flap over firefighters, many 9/11 families still back Giuliani.
Lee Ielpi, 9/11 victim's father: "I think we should look at what Giuliani is capable of doing for the country. He did it for the city before 9/11. He did it for the city after 9/11."
Giuliani held a baseball theme at the Sheraton with popcorn, crackerjacks and hot dogs -- and the backdrop behind the podium looks a like like Yankee Stadium.
By ANNE E. KORNBLUT
The New York Times
April 20, 2006
After months of speculation about her political future, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton opened her campaign yesterday: the Senate one, that is.
Mrs. Clinton, running for re-election in New York with a huge war chest and minimal opposition from the Republicans, celebrated her endorsement by two firefighters' unions at a ceremony that was an implicit kickoff to her Senate race.
She has held numerous political fund-raisers and often deflects questions about her plans for a 2008 presidential race by saying she is merely running to keep her current seat, but until yesterday Mrs. Clinton had not made the sort of purely political appearances typical of a political race.
The endorsements were particularly significant for Mrs. Clinton, since neither union supported her 2000 candidacy for the Senate and city firefighters jeered her during a 9/11 benefit concert at Madison Square Garden.
"It is a great honor for me to have their support now," Mrs. Clinton said, after introductions by Steve Cassidy, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, and Peter L. Gorman, president of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association. She hailed the firefighters as "the bravest people that have ever served any city."
No SPAM in "this" thread?
Oh my goodness.
What an anomaly.
Maybe the poster doesn't SPAM threads he posts, but s\he sure SPAMS the forum.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/user-posts?id=255
I don't care if he is union, democrate, republican or santa claus.
Having compassion for lost brothers and having an opinion on how remains are handled is not to be dismissed over speculation of elections.
I don't care who he voted for.
That is right. There is no SPAM on this thread. And you are the champion of the hate posts here.
Somehow, I don't think you'd be saying that if a union thug was being critical of Duncan Hunter or someone else more to your liking.
Sacrificing principles and cheering on the other team just to "get" someone is generally more destructive to you then the person you are out to get.
Apparently some Democrats aren't for the presumptive GOP nominee.
This is news?
Peter L. Gorman was a Giuliani hater before 9/11. He's just using the issue to promote Hitlery over Giuliani.
9/11 isn't about politics for all of us.
LOL! Righto. That's why you're here ---to feel the love for Rudy Guiliani.
LOL! Righto. That's why you're here ---to feel the love for Rudy Guiliani.
LOL! Righto. That's why you're here ---to feel the love for Rudy Guiliani.
Anyone got a time share offer? We got an easy mark right here.
I don't care who he is for or against. He was and still is upset about the recovery.
That should not mean more or less because of who he votes for.
It may not be for you, but it almost certainly is for the union thug ragging on Rudolph Giuliani. Just keep that in mind, please. I think that's all people are trying to say to you.
I've never been part of a union.
He's not upset about the recovery. He's trying to use the issue against Giuliani in order to promote his DemonRat candidates and agenda. He backed Gore and Kerry for President.
If I seen him on campaign growns, I will. But I call bullshit when people are screaming politics over people we all cried over.
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