Posted on 07/12/2007 10:09:00 AM PDT by hardback
Ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani's campaign blasted back at the nation's largest firefighting union today, e-mailing reporters a quote from a firefighter who calls the IAFF's criticism of Giuliani "unfortunate" and "not surprising" for "union bosses."
Here's the statement from Lee Ielpi, who served on Manhattan's Ladder 2.
“It’s unfortunate but not surprising that the IAFF union bosses have once again taken the low road in a move clearly out of step with their membership. In 2008, I expect these same union bosses to endorse Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama or John Edwards, so today’s comments are just a first step in that process.
Fortunately, rank and file firefighters know the difference between politics and leadership.” The IAFF plans to release a web documentary video today at 5:00pm
The campaign also e-mailed reporters a research document showing the IAFF's ties to the Democratic Party.
It's unusual for Rudy's campaign to respond to attacks in this vein; it means that the IAFF"s criticism is taken seriously (and personally).
The IAFF is a labor union, and it leans D. But it's also among the more independent unions in the country, regularly hosting briefings with top Republican leaders and endorsing GOP candidates.
Several Republicans attended its presidential forum earlier this year One of the two unions that produced today's video endorsed Pres. Bush in 2004.
(Excerpt) Read more at marcambinder.theatlantic.com ...
Very clever, this Giuliani.
I’m not about to stick up for Rudy, who I hope to see go down in flames for his abortion views. But that headline is grossly misleading, in the best MSM fashion.
He did NOT attack the firefighters for attacking him, but the IAFF union leaders.
“It’s unfortunate but not surprising that the IAFF union bosses have once again taken the low road in a move clearly out of step with their membership.”
That said, I hope he loses.
New York City firefighters are a tough crowd.
They boo Hillary and they boo Rudy with equal gusto.
They may have a point!
So did Rudy have firefighter arrested for protesting his refusal to allow them to rescue their friends? Was that “partisan”?
Are you being sarchastic? Rudy is attacking the Union bosses!
IAFF Endorsed Clinton-Gore In 1992 And 1996. (IAFF, “America’s Fire Fighters Endorse Clinton-Gore,” Press Release, 8/7/92; IAFF, “Fire Fighters Endorse Clinton-Gore,” Press Release, 8/23/96)
IAFF Endorsed Gore In 2000. (IAFF, “Fire Fighters Endorse Gore For President,” Press Release, 1/21/99)
In 2004, “IAFF Was The First Labor Union To Endorse Democrat John Kerry's Race For The President, And Its President Was At Kerry's Side Through Much Of The Campaign.” (Fox News’ “Special Report,” 3/8/07)
IAFF Did Not Poll Its Members Before Making Kerry Endorsement. “‘I think the thing that really teed off a lot of firefighters was that nobody was polled about that,’ said David Powell, a nonunion member who serves as chief of the all-volunteer Reedley Fire Department. ‘The members were not asked about it.’” (Michael Doyle, “Union's Support Ignites Firefight,” Fresno Bee, 8/8/04)
IAFF PRESIDENT HAROLD SCHAITBERGER IS PARTISAN DEMOCRAT
Schaitberger Was “One Of Eight National Cochairs Of John Kerry's Campaign.” (Matthew Continetti, “How To Stage A Controversy,” The Weekly Standard, 3/22/04)
“Schaitberger … Appeared On Stage With Kerry When He Claimed His Iowa Prize [In 2004]…” (James O'Toole and Bill Toland, “Fight For Firefighters' Favor,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 4/25/04)
Schaitberger At Kerry Endorsement Press Conference: “[T]he Bush Administration Has Thrust Our Nation Into The Worst Economic Crisis Since The Great Depression” (IAFF, “Fire Fighters Endorse Kerry for President,” Press Release, 9/24/03)
http://www.townhall.com/blog/
yes, this is between Rudy and the Union bosses...Rudy did not call out the firefighters themselves.
that said, I have heard that Rudy is none too popular among the FDNY and emergency personnel who worked at the twin towers, or that had defective equipment on 9-11 because Rudy cut deals with telecommunications companies
“Partisan” yes.
I believe most assumed the FF were partisan for Rudy.
they would boo Fred too. They’re hardcore Libs.
So who are the NY firefighters hot for this election?
They’re not libs. They’re very, very independent.
What is interesting in this story is a look at the real Rudy.
I think the firefighters backed Bush against Kerry.
Memo to Rudy. They just don’t like aholes who gave up the search for firemen once the gold in the WTC was found.
Uh...yeah...right...whatever.
They supported Kerry so we know where they stood already,yawn
“They’re not libs. They’re very, very independent.
What is interesting in this story is a look at the real Rudy.”
BS and you know it. Do you really need me to drag all the articles out from 2004 where the FF unions were backing Kerry? Your hatred of Rudy is blacking your common sense.
“I think the firefighters backed Bush against Kerry.
Memo to Rudy.”
The FF unions backed Kerry. Memo to you: Read.
This kind of crap is going to be leveled at Fred, from the same kind of crapola sources, such as “Union leaders”.
Good for Giuliani for fighting back.
I actually don’t hate Rudy. He was probably the last “real NYC mayor.” Now we have Bloomberg, who should be mayor of Scarsdale or Oceanside.
I remember the incident very, very clearly and it had a lot to do with tensions running high between NYPD and NYFD.
On the other hand, I know a lot of NYFD and they’re clearly split on politics — particularly in the upcoming election.
Lastly, the “real Rudy” is a Rudy on the attack.
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.