In a certain respect, we should probably give Rudy Giuliani the benefit of the doubt over the news that he will be attending this year’s 9/11 anniversary remembrance at Ground Zero: after all, he has attended every previous year’s event. But now he’s a candidate for president — and he’ll be the first and only candidate for office to make an appearance at any of the commemorations. As such, he stands to politicize the event, especially given the importance of 9/11 mythology to his campaign strategy.
Unsurprisingly, many victims’ relatives are outraged:
“He’s cashing in on 9/11 like it’s his own personal tragedy. It’s a photo op on a campaign swing for him,” said Jimmy Riches, a deputy fire chief whose son was among the 343 firefighters killed.
Sally Regenhard, whose firefighter son was also killed, said she was stunned that the city would ask a presidential candidate to speak there.
“They should have every other single presidential candidate then, because this is outrageous,” Regenhard said. “This is going to be seen across the country as a blanket endorsement from us. It’s totally inappropriate.”
No declared presidential candidate has ever spoken before at the ground zero ceremony; indeed, candidates running for local office have typically suspended campaigning on Sept. 11.
Of course, given how far in advance potential presidential candidates lay their plans, who’s to say he wasn’t campaigning in previous appearances? But by now any plausible deniability has evaporated: Rudy Giuliani is a candidate for president, in the thick of campaign season, and as such his presence at a solemn, nonpolitical remembrance ceremony is inappropriate. If he wishes to commemorate the victims — as he should, and as we all should — he should do so privately.
Cross-posted at The Daily Gotham.
5 Responses to “Giuliani to Bring Campaign to Ground Zero?”
I couldn’t agree more with Matt’s response. Rudy Giuliani was always there for cops and firemen in NY, not just on 9/11. I grew up with many friends who are now in the NYPD or FDNY and none of them are outraged at Rudy. You can argue politics, but this man went through a lot on September 11th and the months that followed. He has earned the right just as much as Hillary Clinton, Mike Bloomberg, George Pataki or Elliot Spitzer to be there at the ceremony. He has attended every year and this one should be no different. And as for the claim that “many victim’s relatives are outraged” anyone who has been following the these stories at all, knows that the names in the article are the same handful of families that have protested him before and appeared in the anti-Rudy video. There is absolutely nothing new here. Just typical anti-Rudy bashing
I think Rudy should be in attendence at the 9/11 event. But he should not campaign or make use of the event for political gain. How he handles it will determine how the public views this.
I agree — it’s absurd to say Rudy should not be there. Of course, neither should he politicize the event, but I’m sure he knows not to (and if he doesn’t know better, don’t vote for him).
and yes, it is the same families over and over. They need to get over it. This is an unhealthy way to grieve.
Something to say?
this is low for even this horrible smear site. giuliani himself was a victim of the 9/11 attacks. he lost many friends and co-workers in the attacks and has the same right to attend as any other victim family members. rudy has always been compassionate enough to be at the sides of sick and wonded police officers and firefighters long before 9/11, with no cameras or reporters, just the mayor doing his part to lend support to the masses.
this post destroys the very little credibility, if any, this site had, and i ask that you remove it at once before you embarass yourselves any further.
Left by matt
August 29, 2007 at 9:56am