YouTube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syXni8KuxyM

 

Outrage Over Local Giuliani Fundraiser

Critics Upset Over 9/11 Theme

By Debora Villalon

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sep. 26, 2007 (KGO) - A Peninsula fundraiser for Rudy Giuliani went on as scheduled, but with one important difference. Organizers dropped a plan to collect $9.11 cents from supporters following a blizzard of criticism from firefighters, to the families of 9/11 victims.

Rudy Giuliani is distancing himself from the nine-eleven fundraising theme and blames it on local volunteers.

His role as New York mayor during the terror attacks gave him the visibility, and some say qualifications to run for president.

but he says anyone who did donate $9.11 cents to attend this Palo Alto house party, will get their money back from the organizers.

"It was a few people, it was an unfortunate thing to do, they shouldn't have done it that way," said Rudy Giuliani (R) Former Mayor of New York.

Critics may not buy his explanation. Other presidential hopefuls are lambasting him, along with some families of 9/11 victims.

And firefighter unions have issues with Giuliani from before the attacks.

"If he really wants to be a hero, what did he do prior to that event, what did he do to prepare his emergency services people, to have the best equipment," said Tony Spitaleri from the Palo Alto Firefighters Union.

Tomorrow the candidate himself comes to California to accept the endorsement of former governor Pete Wilson and Friday he's slated to make an appearance in Napa County. Clearly, this botched 9/11 fundraising is something Giuliani and his staff want to put behind them as fast as possible.

"The campaign asked us to leave all comments for the campaign," said a Giuliani supporter.

Volunteers were sensitive enough about the gaffe; they intercepted their own guests to tell them not to speak to reporters.

A few defied that to talk about Giuliani and his 9/11 connection.

"It was evidence of how he would protect our country in an emergency, with the threat of terrorism, so I think it's symbolic; I don't think it's exploitive," said one Giuliani supporter.

Political strategists note the attacks have become a touchstone for candidates, but it's a fine line into exploitation.

"People understand that you're going to use 9/11 in a variety of political ways, but fundraising is a line you cannot cross," said Democratic strategist Chris Lehane.

And this fundraiser still collected money for Giuliani; presumably in amounts larger than $9.11 cents.

Copyright 2007, ABC7/KGO-TV/DT.

 

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The IAFF has been at odds with Rudy in the past , they have made a video dubunking his heroic stature during and after the 9/11 attacks and his complete lack of readiness beforehand

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From:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaCYEEO-58I

"Rudy has used the horrible events of September 11 to create a persona that is an elaborate fabrication," says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. "He is nothing more than a shameless self-promoter."

 

Ground Zero, November 2001: Fire fighters, officers and families rally against Giuliani's decision in to stop a dignified recovery of the victims of 9/11.
Photo by Stuart Ramson/Associated Press.

IAFF Letter Regarding Rudy Giuliani

"What Giuliani showed following 9/11 is a disgraceful lack of respect for the fallen and those brothers still searching for them. He valued the money and gold and wanted the [World Trade Center] site cleared before he left office at the end of 2001 more than he valued the lives and memories of those lost."

-- IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger

 

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*much credit to Workers Independent News for the original audio which pointed me to the story