Edwards rips Giuliani for his phony claim about ground zero

August 10, 2007

Washington, DC - Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards criticized former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani for saying he spent more time at ground zero than the clean up workers.

The Edwards campaign put out a statement Friday criticizing Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's recent comments regarding September 11th as a "break from reality."

Giuliani was in Cincinnati Thursday, defending his role on 9/11 against claims made last month by a firefighters' union.

The former New York City mayor told reporters, "This is not a mayor or a governor or a president who's sitting in an ivory tower. I was at ground zero as often, if not more, than most of the workers." He added, "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."

John Edwards press release: John Edwards for President National Campaign Manager Congressman David Bonior released the following statement in response to former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's comments that he was at ground zero in New York City "as often, if not more" than rescue workers.

"Evidently, Rudy Giuliani has taken a break from reality. It is outrageous for Giuliani to suggest, in any way, shape or form, that he did more at ground zero or spent more time there than the brave first responders who worked tirelessly around the clock for many months during the rescue and recovery operation. It seems that Giuliani is determined to take every opportunity to exploit the memory of 9/11 for political gain, rather than honor the incredible sacrifices of our first responders. Enough is enough.

"Mayor Giuliani should start answering the serious questions of why firefighters and other first responders didn't have proper equipment and support. The 9/11 Commission and National Institute of Standards & Technology reports have documented the failures of the broken radio communications system, a splintered chain of command and an unprepared Office of Emergency Management under his watch as mayor. These are the questions he needs to answer."

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