Saturday, August 11, 2007

Giuliani says he misspoke when he compared his exposure to ground zero workers

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani is backing off comments he made that struck a nerve with some of ground zero's first responders.

Giuliani says he misspoke when he claimed he spent as much time, if not more, at the site and was exposed to the same health risks as workers.

The former New York mayor told reporters yesterday he "was there working with" police and firefighters.

The backlash was swift, with one firefighter saying Giuliani was grasping to "portray himself as the hero of 9/11."

Giuliani told radio host Mike Gallagher he was trying to empathize with them and tell them "I'm there with you."

A deputy fire chief, who spent months digging for his son at the site called Giuliani a liar and said "the only time he was down there was for photo ops."

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