Giuliani "Misspoke" About Ground Zero

GOP Presidential Candidate Backs Off Comparison With Rescue Workers After 9/11

(AP)  Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani said Friday that he misspoke when he said he spent as much time, if not more, at ground zero exposed to the same health risks as workers combing the site after the Sept. 11 attacks.

"I think I could have said it better," he told nationally syndicated radio host Mike Gallagher. "You know, what I was saying was, 'I'm there with you."'

The former New York mayor upset some firefighters and police officers when he said Thursday in Cincinnati that he 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," he told reporters at a Los Angeles Dodgers-Cincinnati Reds baseball game.

Fire and police officials responded angrily, saying Giuliani did not do the same work as those involved in the rescue, recovery and cleanup from the 2001 terrorist attacks, which left many workers sick and injured.

On Friday, Giuliani said he was trying to show his concern for the workers' health.

"What I was trying to say yesterday is that I empathize with them, because I feel like I have that same risk," he said.

"There were people there less than me, people on my staff, who already have had serious health consequences, and they weren't there as often as I was," Giuliani said, "but I wasn't trying to suggest a competition of any kind, which is the way it come across."

Giuliani's explanation further angered his ground zero critics, prompting several to issue a statement demanding an apology.

"He is such a liar, because the only time he was down there was for photo ops with celebrities, with politicians, with diplomats," said deputy fire chief Jimmy Riches, who spent months digging for his firefighter son.

"On 9/11 all he did was run. He got that soot on him, and I don't think he's taken a shower since."

Harold Schaitberger, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, a union that fiercely opposes Giuliani, said he doubted Giuliani misspoke.

"I think he was simply showing what his true character is — a self-absorbed, self-deluded promoter who got caught and is now just simply trying to backtrack," Schaitberger said.

A former deputy mayor, Joe Lhota, said the critics are politically motivated and wrong.

"They're taking their anger out in the wrong direction," Lhota said. "He was literally there four and five times a day; he did anything but run away.

"They're losing sight of the fact that this country, and this city, was attacked on that day by terrorists; it's their fault. Rudy Giuliani coordinated efforts in this city like no one had ever seen before."

Also Friday, Giuliani named another former deputy mayor, Rudy Washington, chairman of his campaign in New York City. Washington played a role in ground zero operations for weeks after Sept. 11 and received medical coverage for debilitating asthma and other health complications.

[zorlacskates]

can we talk deputy fire chief Jimmy Riches into running for president? his left nut is ten times more heroic than giuliani's entire lying, fear-mongering, cross-dressing, soulless body.

[j-whitman]

Hang it up Rudy,,
, You are still nothing but a Profiteering Bush Echo no matter how many times you change your story...
. The least you could have done for our Troops & Country was participate on the Iraq Study Group & you chose to stuff your pockets with cash

[randalds]

Rudy is a one trick pony and people are tired of hearing about it, esp when he exaggerates it so much. At the rate he's puffing himself up if he stays in the race by this time next year he'll be claiming to have personally stood on top of the World Trade Center and heroically turned a dozen planes away with his bare hands, before two tragically got through and he had to spend the rest of the day digging out the survivors while rescue workers just stood around and cheered his incredible bravery.

Besides there's no way the church mice who have the republican party by the balls were ever going to vote for someone like him who's pro-choice, pro-gay rights and anti-gun.

[stephen1500]

How dare he compare hiself to the 9/11 rescuers. That just goes to show how unpatriotic he is. He did not do all that work that the rescuers did, and he was was not exposed to all the things that the rescuers were exposed to. So he has no right to do that.

[notbuynit]

This guy is a creep.

[fryedbread]

Excuse me while i wave goodbye to the last shred of respect i had for this slug.

Ok, done.

[mikekleber]

Rudy certainly fits the criteria for a Republican president: whenever he opens his mouth, something stupid comes out or a lie, or both.

[roger_inkart]

He's like them? I didn't realize the 9/11 rescuers had shamelessly exploited the tragedy for political puposes and were trying to ride it into the White House.

Guess I should pay better attention.

[roger_inkart]

This a Hole who was teh mayor andof rocne did hsijob tries to makeus believe he was a savior he is a looser and always will be!
Posted by jerryomara at 07:04 PM : Aug 10, 2007

Well said! ;)

[starleo146]

How come the firemen of N.Y. came out against you Rudy? Your new wife has swelled your head and you believe it all don't you?

[jsilver2th]

Oh I wondered when he was going to invent the internet... At least you don't have to check in every day to see what his current views are like Mitt...

[canyoutellme-2009]

you republiCONs realize that Guiliani was almost broke before 09/11.. and after 09/11 he became a multi millionaire.. hmmmm

[kansas1946]

Hey, don't bash Rudy. This is the best the Republicans can do. Bless their hearts. Pretty soon, after all these Johnnie-come-latelys get in the race, they are going to have around 100 guys running, and not a keeper in the bunch. Have you noticed that out of all of these candidates there is nothing but white men. At least the Democrats mix it up a little. The Democratic bunch looks like a better representation of the real America to me.

[j-whitman]

kansas1946,,,, FYI Democrats have always been abetter representation of the real America --- We think for ourselves & are the defenders of the Constitution of the United States of America,,, We support all Americans,,, not just some of them.

[stevex47]

Neocon nazi nut jobs, you know all about misspoke...like WMD's and Mission Accomplished.

Rudy's a good choice for "Staying The Course" with your swift boat, Limbaugh friends.

[stevex47]

Kansas,

That's the first time I kinda thought of a more real representation. Thanks,

[fascistusa]

The Land of the Fr---

Oh, Wait. Oopps. My mistake.

ZEITGEISTmovie.com

System of a Down is on break... after calling America "FASCIST".

Disturbed is nowhere to be found after remaking "Land of Confusion/Fascism".

The *** played on the Radio nowadays if HIGHLY CENSORED. New bands are NOT supported unless their music is bubble gum pop lyrics.

Mos Def/Eminem/Immortal Technique "Bin Laden". watch it on youtube.

[mizpah63]

Rudy Giuliani spoke, and said what he was thinking. Thank goodness he did. He's exposing himself for what he is: a spectacularly self-inflating windbag. Giuliani is one more reason to consider voting for a Democrat, or anyone else except a Republican.

[grazinggoat]

One of the most hypocrite, 'desperate in opposition to hopeful' to the presidential nomination of the Repukons. Slowly but surely we're seeing the true face and hate they (repukons) resent toward the real heros of this country, the ones who died in the tragic events of 911 (provoked by their establishment) ie: the firemen and the workers who were burnt after the collapse of the WTC towers. Shame on you 'Adolpho Giuliani' and on all the 'nazi establishment' of the repucons. The real truth is dug in this documentary.

www.zeitgeistmovie.com

[kansas1946]

We think for ourselves & are the defenders of the Constitution of the United States of America,,,
**************
Well, J, let's not get carried away. Sometimes Democrats support the constitution, and sometimes they don't. Racial quotas are decidedly against the constitution, DUI checkpoints, busing, etc., and they kind of forget about the 2nd amendment, a really important one. Also, I think it was a liberal judge who swung the balance on the court to approve a person's property to be taken from them, not for public good, but for private profit and slaughterd eminent domain.
It is just that the current crop of Republicans are so far to the right as to be technically facsists, so I am voting for Democrats. I am an independent so I swing both ways. ;o)

[bobnjersey]

["He was literally there four and five times a day; he did anything but run away. Lhota said.]

rudy has a sky box w/ a great view over the wtc construction site ... he visits often.

[incog-nito]

Giuliani: I single-handedly climbed up one of the towers and swatted away the airplanes, but there were too many of them. Really!

[likeitis5050]

Rudy embraced the 'broken window' philosophy and had the world convinced he had eliminated poverty, welfare, and violence in New York City. He drove it underground until the truth started bubbling up all around him....and then 9/11 happened...and he saw an opportunity for a make-over. Now he wants to do the same for the entire nation. No thanks. He is intollerant, egotistical, arrogant, and hears only what he wants to hear...we've lived with that for *** near 8 years. If you don't do your own research you will easily be convinced he is the most sincere and personable candidate running...bar none. Do not be fooled. He is intimidating and calculating to a fault. Leave this one by the roadside. Toxic.

[likeitis5050]

since when is the word d...a.rn profane? sheeese.

[gracchus1]

Another interesting fact about our dear friend Rudy Giuliani, is that in 1983 he prosecuted Marc Rich. You know, the corrupt rich guy who cozied up to the Russian mafia. Well Rich's defense attorney was one Lewis "Scooter" Leibowitz, a former Israeli agent (I forget the name of the Party). Rich was convicted, but later pardoned to Giuliani's amazement. And yet Mr. Giuliani becomes Mayor of New York, has some interesting connections with the Russian mafia, somehow becomes a good friend of Rich's and Libby's. Hmm, how does that work?

[unclereggie2]

I am a New Yorker and thus I am so, so pleased to see the 9/11 wrapping shredding and falling off this over-packaged racist, bigoted, egomaniacal, corrupt, fascist. America could not possibly do worse than to elect another scare-mongering, historically illiterate, power/wealth hungry Neanderthal. Rudy, everything that you claim as a personal accomplishment in NY City is well within national trends resulting from Clinton%u2019s expansion of police on the streets, after school programs, etc. You are a political plagiarist, fool. Go away.

[billpl-2009]

"Besides there's no way the church mice who have the republican party by the balls were ever going to vote for someone like him who's pro-choice, pro-gay rights and anti-gun."
Posted by RandalDS

they might have to, because if they don't, the church mice might be the only ones left in the GOP by the next 8-10 years or so.

[sparks224]

Oh I see, "misspoke" means Lied.

[randalds]

they might have to, because if they don't, the church mice might be the only ones left in the GOP by the next 8-10 years or so.

Posted by billpl at 02:06 AM : Aug 11, 2007

That's true. After all they've driven most of the real republicans out of their party. I can remember when republicans stood for a balanced budget, paying off the national debt, staying out of citizens private lives (certainly not spying on them) and absolutely no nation building. I actually voted republican in my first presidential election (Ford '76), but these neoconservatives and religious fundamentalists just pay lip service to those ideals and then ignore them when in power. In stead they concentrate on driving fools to the polls with wedge issues, waving the bible with one hand while they pick the nations pockets with the other. That thumping sound you hear is Barry Goldwater spinning in his grave over the disaster his party has become. They can call themselves whatever they want to, but they are not real republicans and I wonder how much longer the real ones will allow this to happen before they take their party back.

[sparks224]

I'm just glad he didn't lie about s.e.x. That would have made me really mad!

[simpleguy234]

Isn't it amazing how politicians can say they didnt mean what they said and somehow everything is supposed to be OK? Hmmmm...reminds me of that ols Potatoe incident...dumbarse.....

[j0hnwi11iams]

He misspoke when he said misspoke, what he really meant was LIED.

[ramos937]

If Rudy is the best the GOP can offer, than it has no chance at electing a GOP President. He did not Misspeak. He intentionally tried to take undue credit. He even explored ways to continue being mayor after his term ended so he could take more photo-ops but Bloomberg, a much better mayor, would have none of that. I vividly remember the 2004 campaign when he stated on Don Imus Show that John Kerry had shot an unarmed viet teenager in the back while the teenager was running away. This lie was exposed by a reporter who visited the village involved and interviewed eyewitnesses.
If by some miracle, he is elected President, we are in deeper trouble than we are now.

[micma-2009]

Juliani was in the trenches getting powerful photo-ops after 9/11. He rolled up the sleeves of his tailored shirt to pose with a shovel. He got dust on his tailored slacks as he stood atop the rubble with cameras flashing. He came, he saw, he was photographed then he rode off in a limo. So let no one dare say that he doesn't understand the hard and hazardous work that the brave men and women did during the recovery effort. He has every right to claim there courage, sacrifice, and service as his own just as Bush does with the troops.

[iceman_1960]

"He got that soot on him, and I don't think he's taken a shower since." - deputy fire chief Jimmy Riches

[grazinggoat]

Juliani was in the trenches getting powerful photo-ops after 9/11. He rolled up the sleeves of his tailored shirt to pose with a shovel. He got dust on his tailored slacks as he stood atop the rubble with cameras flashing. He came, he saw, he was photographed then he rode off in a limo. So let no one dare say that he doesn't understand the hard and hazardous work that the brave men and women did during the recovery effort. He has every right to claim there courage, sacrifice, and service as his own just as Bush does with the troops.
Posted by micma at 06:31 AM : Aug 11, 2007

-micma, that's a great shot at this hypocrite.

[mcvet]

Well he learned from the very best. Bush has moved the bar on Lying that's for sure. This clown is just following his lead.

[formrusmcsgt]

"On Friday, Giuliani said he was trying to show his concern for the workers' health."

On Thursday, Giuliani was lying through his teeth and got caught red-handed.....

[mrhoppy-2009]

I am so tired of the gutless press that uses terms like "misspeak". He freaking lied!

The best lie of all is "campaign finance" - a bribe.

[tcoleman12]

How often was Hillary down there?

[kissamaarse]

Pathetic, Guiliani's latest crybaby outburst, "Whad about ME?!" Equally as pathetic as Romney's claim that his sons are engaged in national service (which is service to the country) by campaigning for him. America needs no more of this egotistical, selfish style of leadership. Or lack thereof.

[micma-2009]

Juliani was in the trenches with Bush staging powerful photo-ops after 9/11. He rolled up the sleeves of his tailored shirt to pose with a shovel. He got dust on his tailored slacks as he stood atop the rubble with cameras flashing. He came, he saw, he was photographed then he rode off into the sunset in his limo. So let no one dare say that he doesn't understand the hard and hazardous work that the brave men and women did during the recovery effort. He has every right to claim their courage, sacrifice, and service as his own just as Bush does with the troops.

[homespunlady]

In the meantime the NEOCON power structure's WORST NIGHTMARE is NOT a Democrat they can subvert.

It's a candidate in their midst that they can't keep censored - Congressman Dr. Ron Paul.
He's actually FOR the constitution and AGAINST Imperial ventures in foreign countries such as Iraq.

On top of that he's actually INTELLIGENT. Check him out.

[rushlimpdrug]

How often was Hillary down there?
Posted by tcoleman12

Are you stupid?

[prinzowhales]

Is it really a big surprise that this two-bit mafiosi would lie? Just look at that 'Clorox'ed' smile plastered across his mug...need we even mention marriage vows and betrayal? His lies about WTC building seven are a matter of record...

Its not surprising that there are people with no discernment or who are so vile and self-serving as to support this venal, lying creature.

[lostcountry1]

the only reason this pathetic liar was down there was to get his photo opportunity in so he could pretend to care. he was most likely in on it with bush and co-horts from the very beginning.he got his picture taken then, he's trying to run for president now. bush and rove probably promised him the next presidency if he kept his mouth shut, and went along with them right down the line. if he was down where real heroes were working to help the fallen, it was to locate the gold. as soon as they got to it,he protected it with his cops. why do you think the firefighters are so pissed off at him. anyone that would vote for this bullshi- artist, would vote for bush again if possible. " if you never tell a lie, you never have to remember what you said."

[jack3213]

What exactly did he lie about? Did you see or not see him there? (I can't wait for Clinton to mispeak and watch the press jump all over her, too) All you hypocritical media narcissists just back off and start asking the right questions like "What did he while he was there?" " Did he make a differance?" Those who are offended and believe he is a liar should tend to their own lives and be grateful there was someone there at all considering the horrific tragedy.

[j-whitman]

jack3213,,,, Guiliani is a liar, he will say anything if it gets him elected... FYI,, we are attending to our own lives ----- Guiliani will hurt Americans as Bush has, we don'w want that to happen again.

[lostcountry1]

guiliani=fake hero...genuine loser

[lostcountry1]

we dont need a president stupider than bush, we need someone smarter. i dont see that person yet!