Rudy Giuliani has real problems

The Core message that Rudolph Giuliani is running on for the Republican Presidential nomination is that he was the heroic, selfless and well-organized leader of New York City who personally pulled everything together out of the chaos when when the terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on September 11. Unfortunately for Rudy, that message is beginning to unravel like a cheap sweater.

First he found himself opposed by the New York City Fire Fighters and Police Officers. Digby explains how they are debunking his claims to greatness at every possible step. When Rudy said the other day that he was one of the 9/11 first responders just like the police and fire fighters, police and fire fighters quickly responded with a resounding "Not even close, Rudy!" So he tried to explain his gaffe, and gave his critics more ammunition.

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.

But Rudy does have defenders. One pointed out:

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."

Seems like Rudy wants it both ways. He was a first responder like the other heroes of 9/11, but apparently he did his heroic work by preparing for and coordinating the response.

That might work if it could be shown that he did a really good job of preparing for and coordinating the response to the 9/11 terrorist attack. Steve Benen writing at Talking Points Memo takes Rudy's preparation for terrorist attacks on.

Right now, they're [the GOP base] probably not aware of the whole story, and simply perceive Giuliani as someone who held some impressive press conferences on 9/11. But it's only a matter of time. Giuliani's decisions should be a national scandal that not only force him from the presidential race, but may even shame him permanently.

The "whole story" is exposed in an article by Wayne Barrett at the Village Voice entitled "Rudy Giuliani's Five Big Lies About 9/11."

Wayne takes on the five key assertions Rudy has made of his qualifications to become President. The five assertions are

1. 'I think the thing that distinguishes me on terrorism is, I have more experience dealing with it.'


2. 'I don't think there was anyplace in the country, including the federal government, that was as well prepared for that attack as New York City was in 2001.'


3. Don't blame me for 7 WTC, Rudy says.


4. 'Democrats do not understand the full nature and scope of the terrorist war against us.'


5. 'Every effort was made by Mayor Giuliani and his staff to ensure the safety of all workers at Ground Zero.

Wayne clearly explains why each is untrue. The details of each are quite interesting, especially how he - against advice - chose the original location of the Emergency Command Center to be in the World Trade Center because it provided a love nest where he could meet with his then mistress (now third wife) within walking distance of his office as mayor. But Harold Schaitberger, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, really summed it all up when he characterized Giuliani as "a self-absorbed, self-deluded promoter who got caught."

Rather than being the "heroic, selfless and well-organized leader of New York City who personally pulled everything together" on September 11, he was unprepared, self-centered, self-aggrandizing and little more than a grandstanding on-looker who was hoping that no one would see how badly he had botched the preparation and give him credit just for appearing on the scene. The more exposure he gets, the more obvious this is becoming.

No one is ever going to play "Hail to the Chief" for Rudolph Giuliani.