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Giuliani on Sick 9/11 Workers: 'I Have That Same Risk'

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August 10, 2007 2:53 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports: '08 Republican presidential candidate former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, D-N.Y., on Friday attempted to clarify comments he made equating himself with 9/11 recovery workers, some of whom facing health problems stemming from their work.

"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," Giuliani told reporters in Cincinnati Thursday.

Giuliani's comments angered the head of the the union of NYPD detectives, who told the AP that the Mayor's record can't compare to those who spent 12 months sifting through toxic debris for evidence and human remains.

Giuliani attempted to clarify his comments Friday morning, reiterating that he faces the same health risk as the 9/11 recovery workers.

"It is a major concern of mine, the health of the workers there at Ground Zero," Giuliani said on the Mike Gallagher syndicated radio show. "What I was trying to say yesterday is that I empathize with them because I feel like I have that same risk."

Giuliani said he should have expressed himself better.

"The way I said it, I probably could have said it better, but what I was trying to say was, I was there quite a bit, there are people that were there more than me, people that were [there] less than me. 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. And I think I could have said it better. You know, what I was saying was 'I'm there with you.'"

Giuliani reiterated Friday that he, too, may get sick from the time he spent at Ground Zero following the attacks.

"I was there often enough so that every health consequence that people have suffered, I could also be suffering. People on my staff were there with me. Some of them weren't there as often as I was and some of them have gotten sick already," he said.

"People who have been exposed to that risk down there are entitled to be taken care of. They're entitled to get compensation. We should give them everything. I mean they are heroes in my estimation," Giuliani said, "and what I was trying to say was even those that were there less than me and the reality is that we're all in this together and I'm there with them and I feel that I have the same concerns that they have."

Giuliani's controversial comments may give fodder to those who have criticized his handling of the attacks on New York.

The former mayor has come under fire from first responders and relatives of those killed at the World Trade Center, who have said the former Mayor was unprepared for 9/11.

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) released a 13-minute video on the Internet in July, urging its members to oppose Giuliani's bid for the presidency, questioning his leadership both before and in the aftermath of the September 2001 terrorist attacks.

August 10, 2007 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (46)

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Giuliani says he's like a 9/11 firefighter. Romney says his kids are like soldiers.

Are these the Republican frontrunners?!?

Posted by: Marilyn | Aug 10, 2007 4:07:32 PM

What an arrogant jagoff this guy is - this is why none of us New Yorkers can take Rudy seriously anymore. God help the country if this clown actually gets himself elected. He'll only dig us deeper into Bush's mess.

Posted by: Mr. Knickerbocker | Aug 10, 2007 4:09:54 PM

I'm sorry to post here, but can someone direct my concern to technical support or something. Lately every time I log on to abcnews.com, I keep getting a "download file log" from abcnews.com, I'm not sure if this is a virus or what... it's supposed to be coming from log.com

Posted by: Daniel | Aug 10, 2007 4:27:02 PM

You know what....a lot of leaders would have cowered in the safety of their office or safehaven whilst danger was going on. Giuliani was on the streets, in the danger zone, directing and helping. His leadership in that time was great and he did the best with the situation. NO ONE was prepared for 9/11 and it is arrogant of us to claim that somehow he should have been better prepared than the airlines, the pentagon, etc. It's wonderful how we are still pointing fingers to lay blame on anyone else but ourselves. If anything we are all guilty of not being more prepared. We seem to think that just because we live in America, it's not going to happen in our backyard.

Posted by: Amber | Aug 10, 2007 4:31:33 PM

Yes, he may have the same risk as the 9/11 responders, but I'll bet you with his money he'll get better treatment than those working at ground zero who have already been sickened.

Posted by: newzjunky | Aug 10, 2007 4:49:22 PM

Actually Amber, the only reason that Guilliani was "in the streets" on 9/11 is because he was the strategic genius who decided to build his million dollar "command and control" bunker inside the World Trade Center after it had already been attacked in 1993. The fool was on his way to cower in his "safehaven" except that the terrorists blew it up before he could get there. Take it from a real New Yorker - Rudy is a big talking clown and NOT a real leader.

Posted by: Robby G. | Aug 10, 2007 5:30:35 PM

"I was at ground zero as often, if not more, than most of the workers ... "

I can't believe any of you are actually willing to vote for this loser

Posted by: steve | Aug 10, 2007 5:50:20 PM

9/11 still has everyone in shock. The terrorist have no regard for their lives or anyone else and only have one thing in mind, taking over America, no matter what cost. If they don't do it, the Mexicans will and America will be no more. I feel we need to quit fussing over the small stuff and get down to what is really going on. The U.S. Citizens should wake up and realize what is important and listen to the candidates and watch their actions in order to determine who is right for the job of President of the U.S.A. 9/11 will always be on our minds and thoughts and in our prayers.

Posted by: Lucy Lee | Aug 10, 2007 6:01:41 PM

he is trying to relive his 15 minutes of fame. not electable. he is pro-illegal aliens, pro- iraq & pro-everything. he will say anything to get nominated. i hope the gop are not stupid.

Posted by: marc | Aug 10, 2007 6:06:51 PM

Giuliani, shame on you! How can we trust you to lead and protect our Nation? You are quick in taking credits from others. Stop spinning!!

Posted by: mfung1 | Aug 10, 2007 6:17:08 PM

Robby G- Hmm....I seem to remember him in a hard hat, working alongside rescuers leading people to safety. I didn't see him run and hide somewhere else like his own home. My family are "REAL Newyorkers", thank you very much, but that has nothing to do with this. Giuliani did a lot for that city, cleaned it up, reduced crime, etc. He is a good leader. He has the potential to be an even better one. I think everyone has potential to be better and everyone makes mistakes.
steve- hmmm......much like Kerry when he, after saying he had thrown away his medals after coming back from war, tried to use his affiliation with the military to try and boost his image. The left and the right have history of using past accomplishments to boost their images. This is a historical fact. And as Edwards' wife's cancer becomes more visible and agressive, don't think for a second that a candidate like Giuiliani won't bring up his cancer ordeal to show he empathizes and use his empathy to show is is a human being like the rest of us or that Edwards' wife won't be more in the spotlight. It is POLITICS people. We need to stop acting like either side is an innocent puppy dog. You watch as the campaign gets heavier what will come out, who will flip flop, and what mud will be slung. I mean Clinton is using her "cleavage" as a means of publicity, some weird Celine Dion song from a contest, and a Soprano's spoof. Don't think that cancer or 9/11 wont be important. The Sympathy card will always come into play and as Americans we respond well to that.

Posted by: Amber | Aug 10, 2007 6:21:44 PM

Sorry Rudy but anyone who is in any way pro illegal alien will never get my vote.

Posted by: Patriot2007 | Aug 10, 2007 6:23:49 PM

"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," Giuliani told reporters in Cincinnati Thursday.

Anyone who reads that quote and votes for Giuliani deserves what they get! This man is not only detached from reality but disrespectful and grossly arrogant. Mind you this is coming from and Italian American who would love to see an Italian American as President. This man is SICK and that quote cements it for me!

Posted by: geddesman | Aug 10, 2007 7:00:51 PM

Is that the only picture of Giuliani that abc "news" can afford? He looks terrible! Did you have one of your democrat high school interns use their handy 'Lil Reporter' disposable camera take that one? Why not beg Disney to throw a few bucks your way so you can hire the adult who photographs democrats. We see that photo of hillary in the white jacket practically ever day - you democrat news hacks must like that photo of her. Sexy!

Posted by: cheesetopping69 | Aug 10, 2007 7:35:14 PM

Why would anyone vote for the hypocripublicans?

Posted by: genzavets | Aug 10, 2007 8:51:29 PM

I feel like throwing up every time Giuliani boast that he is a good Catholic. I do not know what his definition of a good Catholic is, but a man who has been married three times, I repeat three time, 14 years to his cousin, committed adultery on his second wife, and then announced public press conference before telling his second wife that he intended to divorce her and then married the woman he was apparently committing adultery with, is certainly not a good Catholic. Moreover, how can you obtain an annulment from someone you have been married to for 14 years. Certainly, that marriage was consummated. Additionally, twice divorced is caused to be put out the Catholic church. Of course, as I understand it you can buy your way bach into the Catholic Church after you pay to have a marriage annulled. Finally, how can you be a good Catholic if you are a pro-abortionist. I am surprised the media has not written more about these facts.

Posted by: John Doe | Aug 10, 2007 9:45:07 PM

Cheap grab for the lime light. Give him enough rope and he'll hang himself. Nobody's gonna by that tripe.

Posted by: Kid Charlemagne | Aug 10, 2007 10:53:01 PM

Show me one other candidate that has taken a very large city from garbage and hookers to one of the safest cities to live in. Anyone?

ABC News is democrat (they've proven to me lately with their wording of everything). Shame on ABC for being so one-sided with their stories. It's so obvious that it isn't news anymore, it's a commentary from a democrat.

Posted by: Lori | Aug 10, 2007 11:06:43 PM

rudy rudy rudy, isn't it about time you got divorced again? rudy rudy rudy, we all know you da man who saved us all on dat fatefull day. you my hero rudy.

Posted by: tech77usa | Aug 10, 2007 11:08:30 PM

comments are very ignorant. The "so called terrorist" is not trying to take over America. They simply want America to stop trying to control things in the Middle East where they live. The Hispanic are not trying to take over America. They simply want jobs so that they can take care of their families. Don't you want the same things. You sound brainwashed by these candidates.

Posted by: Tony | Aug 10, 2007 11:51:45 PM

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