Rudy A No-Show At Firefighters Conference

GOP Presidential Frontrunner Has Strained Relationship With New York Firefighters

(CBS/AP)  Ten presidential hopefuls descended on Washington Wednesday to court the nation's largest firefighters union for its endorsement, but the gathering was noteworthy mostly by who wasn't there: former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the Republican frontrunner best known for standing with first responders at Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001.

While his absence was surprising, some members of the International Association of Fire Fighters union do not view Giuliani kindly, reports CBS News correspondent Gloria Borger.

"He showed up for a few funerals after September 11th. He shook some hands. But, you know, what did he do before then? What has he done since then?" asked Sam Fresina, a New York State union member.

Giuliani has been feuding with the firefighters over recovery efforts at Ground Zero after the Sept. 11 attacks. Instead of attending the firefighters conference, Giuliani spent Wednesday evening at a $2,300 per person fundraiser in New York, talking about energy issues. Some campaign officials told The New York Times the fundraiser may have garnered more than $2 million for Giuliani's White House run.

While unions are overwhelmingly Democratic and the firefighters union has never endorsed a Republican candidate for president, Giuliani remains in good standing with first responders across the nation, Jim VandeHei, executive editor of Politico.com told CBS' The Early Show.

But, VandeHei said, the animosity between Giuliani and the firefighters union "certainly is damaging."

The real question, he said, is whether the unions can "make enough of a stink about Giuliani to take off a little bit of that 9/11 luster?"

Meanwhile, Democratic presidential candidates promised on Wednesday to provide better health care for military veterans, saying troops returning from Iraq have received shoddy care under the Bush administration.

Democrat Barack Obama said he's tired of officials who talk about supporting the troops but don't provide adequate health care.

"They don't do anything except slap a yellow ribbon on the back of their SUV," the Illinois senator said.

"When our veterans come home, I don't want them forgotten in run-down buildings," Obama said to loud applause from the union's members.

The union counts about 1,000 members fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, with many more who have returned from the war and continue to serve in the National Guard and Reserves. Revelations of poor outpatient care at Walter Reed Medical Center clearly has touched a nerve.

"They didn't plan for the war; they didn't plan for the return of the injured," said Robert Carver, president of the Florida Professional Firefighters. "We're structured very similar to the military, so that gets our attention real quick."

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said she was heartbroken to learn that returning soldiers were languishing at Walter Reed. John Edwards, the 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee, said Walter Reed is a symptom of problems throughout the Veterans Administration that he would address.

"We have got to stand by the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States of America, including many heroes in this room," Edwards said.

Clinton broadened her message to include health care for firefighters and police officers, as well as veterans, saying they'd become invisible to the government. She tapped into some resentment against President Bush by accusing his administration of failing to provide for the very firefighters he stood with in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

"It's great for photo ops, but how about taking care of the people who have taken care of us across the country," the New York senator said, drawing a standing ovation.

Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., also prompted a standing ovation when he declared: "Our veterans deserve the very best medical care this country can provide. That ought to be something that every one in America can come to terms with — that that couldn't happen here in the United States."

Republican John McCain, who did not address the controversy over veterans' health care, quieted the crowd with a defense of the administration's decision to increase troop levels in Iraq.

"The war has not gone well. We failed early on to recognize that we faced an indigenous and foreign insurgency in Iraq," the Arizona senator said.

Gen. David Petraeus, Mr. Bush's choice for top military commander in Iraq, "was ordered to Baghdad to execute a new strategy that realistically addresses the threats we face there," McCain said. "The hour is late but we must try. We must."

"I'm guardedly, and I stress guardedly, encouraged that Gen. Petraeus' plan is achieving more progress than expected."

Republican candidates Jim Gilmore, the former governor of Virginia, and Rep. Duncan Hunter of California also did not mention Walter Reed. But Gilmore promised, "We're going to follow a policy under my administration that's going to be supportive of the troops."

The union backed Democrat John Kerry in 2004.

[emhawks]

To pdun1: I agree 100%! I think this will be proven in the years ahead, after Bush/Cheney leave office. Hopefully, both of them will be impeached/indicted before they leave office. If they are not, we all need to remember that when they leave office in 1/2009 they will lose their executive immunity & can have charges brought against them as an American citizen.

[musty2u]

The Firefighters Assn has money, and it has membership; however, you must look for the greater potential. I've been to the 2grand dinners (it said this one was $2300). Folks, for those of you that haven't been there, that is the tip of the iceberg that hopefuls are trying to mine. Nearly every attendee is going to be asked separately to be contributine 5 figure amounts. This will become a core that the candidates listen too. Just a fact of life whether it is on the GOP side (which I am, as if you readers didn't already know it), or the Dems.

[forthepeaple]

Who said this statement: If the personal freedoms of all americans by the Constitution and bill of right are Inhibiting the Government ability to (Govern)that meant control, the people of united states of america..Than we Should look to Limit those GUARANTEES #2.The united states Government CAN'T BE so fixed on our desires to preserve the RIGHTS of ORDINARY AMERICANS #3.I can do any ********* thing i want,I'm president of the united states and you dont forget that.....who am I.....
Who said this statement: If the personal freedoms of all americans by the Constitution and bill of right are Inhibiting the Government ability to (Govern)that meant control, the people of united states of america..Than we Should look to Limit those GUARANTEES #2.The united states Government CAN'T BE so fixed on our desires to preserve the RIGHTS of ORDINARY AMERICANS #3.I can do any ********* thing i want,I'm president of the united states and you dont forget that.....who am I.....

[karlimhof]

"The war has not gone well. We failed early on to recognize that we faced an indigenous and foreign insurgency in Iraq," the Arizona senator said.

John McCain

Hi john! What? We faced an indigenous insurgency in Iraq? You mean there were Iraqis there when we invaded? And they weren't happy to see us? I'll be daamed, how do like that! Ungrateful islamofacists!!!!

And what's that John? Foreign insurgency too? Where from Adam do they come from? We didn't invite them did we?

[nolalou]

While I try to never overestimate the intelligence of the American people, I just don't see how Giuliani will get the Republican nomination. The Christian right, and neocons, are not going to vote for a pro-abortion, pro gay rights, and pro gun control candidate in the primaries. On top of that, when he was Mayor or NY, he endorsed Democrat Mario Cuomo for governor over his republican opponent. Giuliani got the endorsement of New York State's Liberal Party, but not the New York Conservative party! (In NY candidates can run on more than one party line).

The only way I can see Giuliani getting the nomination is if some of the more conservative candidates split the neocon vote in the primaries, giving Giuliani the win by default.

[nolalou]

While I try to never overestimate the intelligence of the American people, I just don't see how Giuliani will get the Republican nomination. The Christian right, and neocons, are not going to vote for a pro-abortion, pro gay rights, and pro gun control candidate in the primaries. On top of that, when he was Mayor or NY, he endorsed Democrat Mario Cuomo for governor over his republican opponent. Giuliani got the endorsement of New York State's Liberal Party, but not the New York Conservative party! (In NY candidates can run on more than one party line).

The only way I can see Giuliani getting the nomination is if some of the more conservative candidates split the neocon vote in the primaries, giving Giuliani the win by default.

[ksrugger]

My cousin pulled a guy out on his back after the towers collapsed. He was on medical leave for injuries sustained in a fire 2 weeks prior and still came in with his other off-duty buddies and crawled 300 feet into the rubble and brought this guy out to safety. He's a hero...not Rudy.

[pdun1]

9/11 Was an Inside Job!


The Firefighters know it and Rudy had foreknowledge of the buildings coming down. He said the buildings were gonna come down to a radio station on that fateful day!

www.911truth.org

[marcodele]

Can anybody explain why Rudy Guiliani became a "hero" on 9/11? What did he do that any mayor of any city wouldn't have done in the same situation? He and Bush promised the firefighters the world after that attack, then of course they withdrew it all when the headlines focused on something else. Guliani is a hack, and his fifteen minutes of political fame were over in 2001. Besides, the neocons would never allow a pro-choice pro-gay rights candidate to live to see election day.

[marcodele]

Can anybody explain why Rudy Guiliani became a "hero" on 9/11? What did he do that any mayor of any city wouldn't have done in the same situation? He and Bush promised the firefighters the world after that attack, then of course they withdrew it all when the headlines focused on something else. Guliani is a hack, and his fifteen minutes of political fame were over in 2001. Besides, the neocons would never allow a pro-choice pro-gay rights candidate to live to see election day.

[random_radar]

Scott4261 is right!

[forthepeaple]

Who said this statement: If the personal freedoms of all americans by the Constitution and bill of right are Inhibiting the Government ability to (Govern)that meant control, the people of united states of america..Than we Should look to Limit those GUARANTEES #2.The united states Government CAN'T BE so fixed on our desires to preserve the RIGHTS of ORDINARY AMERICANS #3.I can do any ********* thing i want,I'm president of the united states and you dont forget that.....who am I.....
WAKE UP OUT THERE

[scott4261]

Of course! I'm not surprised. What did he ever do for them? Most of the rest of the country outside of NYC got to know Rudy Giuliani as "America's Mayor" in the the aftermath of 9/11. New Yorkers already knew that Rudy is a scumbag. The firefighters and other emergency workers are the true heroes of 9/11.

[forthepeaple]

Who said this statement: If the personal freedoms of all americans by the Constitution and bill of right are Inhibiting the Government ability to (Govern)that meant control, the people of united states of america..Than we Should look to Limit those GUARANTEES #2.The united states Government CAN'T BE so fixed on our desires to preserve the RIGHTS of ORDINARY AMERICANS #3.I can do any ********* thing i want,I'm president of the united states and you dont forget that.....who am I.....

[dallison7]

McCain, Giuliani, Romney... all walking snowballs. The RNC would be wise to forfeit the 2008 race and save their money.

[mcvet]

Rudy Rudy!! You can run but you can't hide. LOL What am I saying, George Bush did it for 6 years... he got caught though.