Posted on 11/18/2007 8:28:46 AM PST by perfect_rovian_storm
A group of 9/11 firefighters and victims' family members with eyes on derailing Republican Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign is close to a decision on forming an entity that would run issue ads in key early nominating states.
"TV made him a hero, and we'll use TV to take him down," New York Fire Chief Jim Riches told ABC News.
The final decision about the formation of an outside entity will happen sometime within the next few weeks after the group finalizes its plans at a meeting scheduled for after Thanksgiving. So far, though, under Riches' leadership, the group has sought legal guidance and help from political consultants.
If the group decides to move forward, it would set up a 527 committee -- or something similar to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which in 2004 helped sink Democratic Sen. John Kerry's White House bid.
This Monday, the firefighters and family members are holding a meeting at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire hoping to spread the word about what they say is Giuliani's "egregious" use of 9/11 for political gain.
The group also is considering additional trips to early presidential primary states Iowa, Florida and South Carolina.
Riches, who lost his firefighter son Jimmy in the World Trade Center's north tower, said, "We don't want him running on 9/11 or the bodies of all these dead people or my dead son saying that he did a great job that day."
He and other members of the anti-Giuliani group claim 9/11 first responders were given bad radios and that that prevented them from hearing evacuation orders when the World Trade Center buildings were about to collapse. They also contend Giuliani rushed cleanup work and misled people about air quality at Ground Zero, where recovery workers, including Riches, say they contracted illnesses.
Asked to comment for this story, the Giuliani campaign referred ABC News to a statement from Lee Ielpi, another firefighter whose son died on Sept. 11.
"I understand the emotion surrounding Sept. 11, but we cannot lose sight of the fact that it was the terrorists who attacked New York City," the statement said. "On that day and the days following, New Yorkers and the rest of the country were fortunate to have the steady and strong leadership of Mayor Rudy Giuliani."
Conservatives are working to take down a ruthless scumbag abortionist liberal and you call that taking cheap shots. You're on the wrong political forum, newbie!
FRee Republic exists to advance conservatism. This website opposes ALL forms of liberalism. 
and even more sad, some of them are Hunter supporters.....I don't get that at all. Conservatives should support conservatives not tear them down.
LOL! Great cartoon and going into the collection, thanks!
Somehow I feel that any arguments are useless in case of pure hatred.
Yes, Rudy’s calm TV presence was crucial leadership on 9/11. Going from mic to mic was exactly the right thing to do then.
Bush and Cheney were then hiding somewhere and Bush looked frightened and unsure when he finally emerged. During Katrina you had opportunity to see different kind of mayor showing his non-leadership.
As for taxes, this is another thing every conservative should thank Rudy. He slashed taxes and made the city business-friendly again. Yes, taxes are still higher than in most other cities (he wasn’t dictator, you know. City council is about 90-100% dem controlled).
“You mean the same Rudy who had the Emergency Operations Center IN THE WORLD TRADE CENTER???”
It wasn’t bad judgment (vis a vis terrorism) that lead to that decision, it was him need a love nest near city hall so he wouldn’t have to travel to Brooklyn to cheat on his wife.
Cut the guy some slack /sarcams
You Anti-Rudy people are simply unhinged at this point...
Look, I happen to think that Fred Thompson is a lethargic, half-wit.
I happen to think that Mitt Romney is an insincere flip-flopper who can’t be trusted.
I happen to think that John McCain is the closest thing we have seen to the REAL Manchurian Candidate.
I happen to think that Ron Paul should be placed in a Rubber Room away from sharp objects.
BUT...you will NEVER see me cheering for one of them to be taken down because it hurts the GOOD GUYS. And in case you forgot, the good guys are anyone who can prevent the Democratic Party from holding office.
So if any of the CLOWNS I mentioned above happen to win the Republican Nomination, you’ll see me RUNNING to the polls to vote for them over Hillary or whatever VERMIN the Democratic Party nominates.
And if you guys REALLY think that Rudy would be as bas as Hillary for this country, then maybe we can find you some comfy space next to Ron Paul....
The NYC chapter of the firefighter's union endorsed Bush in 2004. This has nothing to do with their political stance.
Look newbie, if you think opposing Giuliani is based on hatred, you're no conservative and you're definitely on the wrong political forum.
Free Republic promotes conservative candidates, not liberal candidates. We promote the Constitution. Rooty has trampled on the Constitution for years and continues to do so.
FReepers have been making the case against Rooty for the last year and a half. Rooty is persona non grata around this forum. When you get some free time, check out this thread: Will FR embrace socialism to make way for Rudy Giuliani as a Republican presidential candidate?
GUys, lower your blood pressure. I’m not aa Rudy person for a lot of reasons, but the candidate is going to need all the runners-up campaigning for him if he is to beat the Anointed One. Rudy is one hell of a speaker, able to evoke strong emotions in a lot of people. He’s wrong on many of the issues and not my guy at all, bu =t we’ll need him and his people later, or they’ll need us. Remember that we observe not a world of black and white in the elections, but a scope of probabilities. The likelihood was that GWB would be a much better president than Gore, and then Kerry. Even several big mistakes and an unbelievable tone deafness have not swayed me from that conclusion. My liberal friends tell me he is the worst President in our lifetimes, ignoring Carter, Johnson and Nixon. The potential harm of Hillary Clinton with 4 SC nominations and her hands on classified info is astronomical. Let’s keep our eyes on the real prize, the defense and maintenance of our Nation.
For your reading pleasure, sir. :)
hehehe...this one really drew out the trolls...lol
The name of the game is to trash every republican who has any reputation at all.
No matter what I think about Rudy, the democrats have trashed the commander in chief in time of war.
Therefore are directly responsible for treasonous behavior and they have taken dollars from islamofascist terrorists.
Sic Semper Tyrannus.
Thanks for saying what I hope many of us believe.
What a load of crap!
Part of leadership IS making those speeches, and “raising the flag”, much like a salesman with an unhappy or mistreated customer might do. I disagree with Rudy on many substantive issues, but name calling and making fun of his given name will never persuade anyone here on FR.
Bears repeating. The hyperbole from these Rooty Tooters is humorous on this thread. An attack like this BEFORE the general is exactly what we want from these guys. They could just as easily sit around and wait to see if he's nominated and THEN attack him. But, they're not advocating for Hillary, they're working AGAINST Rudy. Just like we are. Good on them.
Hey troll, what are you doing on a CONSERVATIVE site spreading LEFT-WING propaganda/revisionist history?
The LEADER of the FREE WORLD was following security protocals set up for our President, ANY U.S. President, by the security experts - the Secret Service.
Knock me over with an effing feather.
I have never, ever seen you stand up and cheer when Giuliani takes a bite out of Hillary's hide in the national press.
Why is that?
STOP LIBERALISM IN IT'S TRACKS - whether or not it rears it's ugly head as a demonRAT, OR...
An f'ing RINO like RINO-rudy.
“hehehe...this one really drew out the trolls...lol”
and don’t forget the suck-ups.
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