Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani said Thursday he had exposed himself to the same health risks as workers at ground zero after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and spent as much time at the site as those involved in the recovery.

The former New York mayor has faced criticism from relatives of some of the firefighters killed at the World Trade Center, who have contended that Giuliani was woefully unprepared for 9/11.

Last month, the parents and siblings of some of the 343 firefighters killed in the terrorist attacks released a video with the International Association of Fire Fighters, which opposes Giuliani's candidacy.

Campaigning in Ohio, Giuliani defended his work, including raising funds.

"This is not a mayor or a governor or a president who's sitting in an ivory tower," he said. "I was at ground zero as often, if not more, than most of the workers. ... I was there working with them. I was exposed to exactly the same things they were exposed to. So in that sense, I'm one of them."

Battalion Chief John McDonnell, head of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association in New York, said: "I have a real problem with that statement. I think he's really grasping and trying to justify his previous attempts to portray himself as the hero of 9/11."

Michael Palladino, head of the Detectives Endowment Association, the union of NYPD detectives, said the mayor's record can't compare to those who spent 12 months sifting through toxic debris for evidence and human remains.

"As a result of their hard work, many are sick and injured. The mayor, although he did a fine job with 9/11, I don't think he rises to the level of being an equal with those men and women who were involved in the rescue, recovery and cleanup," Palladino said.

Giuliani spoke to reporters at a Los Angeles Dodgers-Cincinnati Reds game, where the former New York mayor watched a little baseball between fundraising appearances.

"I have a chance of winning Ohio, I have a chance of winning New York, I have a chance of winning California," said Giuliani, who also mentioned New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan and Minnesota as states he could win. "We've got to put these states in play."

Later, at a combination fundraiser and rally at a suburban pub, Giuliani said that the Democratic candidates lack the executive experience needed to be president.

"This is not a time for on-the-job training," he said.

Ohio doesn't hold its primary until March 4, but the state traditionally is a critical swing state in the general election.

Giuliani said he thinks the war on terror, more than his differences with many Republicans on abortion rights, is a key issue for him.

"I believe the most important issue is being on offense against Islamic terrorism," he said. "I think there's no candidate in the race who has as much experience with that as I do."

He also said he's a fiscal conservative in contrast to Democratic front-runners who want to raise taxes and have (filmmaker) "Michael Moore-style socialized medicine."

Giuliani also attended an evening "Freedom Concert" led by conservative radio talk host Sean Hannity at the Kings Island amusement park. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia, considered a potential GOP presidential candidate, was also part of the bill.

The concert headliners were performers Montgomery Gentry, LeAnn Rimes and Lee Greenwood. Proceeds were to support scholarships for the children of slain and disabled U.S. military personnel.

At the concert, Giuliani took the stage to talk about the war and the importance of supporting the U.S. military.

"There is nothing wrong with the morale of the American troops. There is something wrong with the morale of some American politicians," Giuliani said to loud cheers from the concert crowd of nearly 10,000.

___

Associated Press Writer Devlin Barrett in Washington contributed to this report.

http://www.ohio.com/news/ap?articleID=37736&c=y

Swanny Note: Rudy will say anything to promote himself.

Even the ill fortune that befalls most of the people that actually could blow the lid off the phony Bush Administration.
Giuliani Talks about his "outstanding people" Takes an opportunity to talk about HIS Accomplishments. What ARE his Accomplishments again? Google NYFD hates Rudy and SEE what he "accomplished"

Regarding the NYFD, they are coming out ,speaking up , and need to be heard! It isn't "just some family members" that "oppose his candidacy" What horseshit is that. Such Propaganda tactics. The NYFD has had gag orders placed on it and it takes others to come out and speak up. Doesn't anyone out there see the scope of the propaganda in the Mainstream media? I am providing you with that link TO the video...not the Associated Press Thru Ohio.com.

It is an outstanding video. Look at the damage in the video pay attention to the 9/11 footage. The reason the video has not been provided to the public is the damning evidence in the video itself.

The US Military had a shut down of communications to the outside world so it is apparent that they do not know the Tillman Story.

3 bullets to the head was the Price Tillman Paid for our country....shot up close not far away by enemy fire. Up Close by someone he "knew".DARPA is working on experiemental "enhancements" for our troops and the Pentagon is making up details and Creating Sensational Drama

Has anyone watched the Pentagon Channel.? I have and everything is sweet and pretty on the Pentagon Channel and all the Troops say how happy they are making a difference in Iraqi Lives.

How about that Worm Dirt comment by the Military Officer to the parent of a Murdered Soldier?

Do you think that might be able to change morale? If this war is not what it is "marketed" to be, why do we allow the lies to continue?

Back to 9-11, which is the start of the war isn't it? And it is what Rudy has built his Platform on?

Does Rudy look like he knows much? He has to turn around to find out that the gas was turned off in the city. So the reports of gas blowing in the collapse of the towers is false.

How much does the flt 93 tale ring of the same screen writer as the Tillman Story

You know , some people can tell the touch of a music producer on an album. Some People can see the work of a certain Cinematographer. Does anyone else see the same "writing style in the Tillman, Jessica Lynch and Flt 93 Let's Roll?

 Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts)