Posted on 09/28/2006 7:45:46 AM PDT by veronica
Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani characterized Bill and Hillary Clinton's recent criticism of President Bush's efforts to stop Osama bin Laden before 9/11 as a "mistake" and said it's time to "stop this blame thing" over who is responsible for the September 11 attacks.
"I think the comparison is the mistake," Giuliani told NewsMax and other media during a luncheon Wednesday in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., while on a campaign stop for Congressman Clay Shaw, R-Fla., who is seeking re-election.
"I don't think the Clinton people should be saying somehow it's more President Bush's responsibility," Giuliani said when asked about Hillary's recent statements about Sept. 11.
On Monday, Sen. Clinton said she defended her husband's outburst on Fox News over criticism he has received for his handling of Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida.
"I'm certain that if my husband and his national security team had been shown a classified report entitled ‘Bin Laden Determined to Attack Inside the United States,'" Sen. Clinton said, "he would have taken it more seriously than history suggests it was taken by our current president and his national security team."
The remark was a direct swipe at President Bush, because in August of 2001 he was given such a report prepared by the CIA. The CIA report, however, never indicated how al-Qaida might strike U.S. targets.
"I know President Bush doesn't say that about President Clinton," said Giuliani. "I think the reality is that any American president, if they had known about an attack, would have done everything they could to stop it."
The real fault for 9/11, Giuliani says, lies squarely with the Islamic terrorists. He added, "I think we should stop trying to blame our presidents for 9/11."
Frequently mentioned as a potential Republican candidate for president in 2008, Giuliani characterized the latest war of words over who is responsible for 9/11 as a distraction. "We should stop this blame thing," he said. "There's no blame to be cast on President Bush or President Clinton."
Giuliani added that he thinks we should stop getting distracted by trying to figure out what American is responsible for the terrorist attacks, saying "Americans didn't do Sept. 11, the Islamic terrorists did."
In his remarks during the campaign stop, Giuliani credited President Bush's aggressive anti-terror policy for the fact the U.S. has not been attacked since 9/11.
"The reality is, thank God, we haven't been attacked in five years," Giuliani said. "None of us thought that was possible. We all thought that after 9/11 we would be attacked. I personally thought many times."
I understand Rudy wants to appear to take the "high road" as a strategy to strip Independents away from McCain. It will work. But I hope he follows the clever Tony Snow lead regarding how the Clintons shredded our military and intelligence budgets and staff in the 1990s.
These are the words of a LEADER - not petty BS politician.
Like it or not - Rudy is an adult among many children who are eyeing 2008.
I like the man.
Now whether he is the nominee in 2008 - only time will tell - there is so far to go.
But right now - he speaks like a leader.
Is that what he said? Scanned another thread and I though he said it wasn't Clinton's fault.
too bad Rudy is so LIBERAL!!!!
The truth is, we were attacked on 9/11 and we have not been hit in five years. Those are facts and someone is responsible for both.
It depends on when the orderly allows them to go down to the computer room.
:)
Quote: "I don't think the Clinton people should be saying somehow it's more President Bush's responsibility," Giuliani said when asked about Hillary's recent statements about Sept. 11."
Rudy, you have to understand, Hillary is just now realizing that in order for her to run, her husband's legacy must be saved. Too bad she doesn't get that he has no legacy to save, but nevermind that.
I for one am glad to see this blame game being joined by Bush because it started long ago. Afterall, the 9/11 commission was no more than Clinton's way of exonerating himself and shifting the blame to Bush for 9/11. Putting Jamie Goerelick on that panel!?!? Yah, right, it is akin to the fox watching the hen house.
Finally, a liberal myth (9/11 was Bush's fault) is being destroyed. Other liberal myths that need to be destroyed: Bush stole Florida in 2000 (when it was Gore who wanted selective recounts); The U.S. engages in torture; So called "Domestic Spying" when all that is happening is intercepting calls from terrorists, etc. etc.
Lots of liberals are leaders. Good luck with that particular liberal.
I never vote for liberals, no matter what party they claim or how "adult" they look.
Thanks for the laugh. It's such a sad day (Bailey HS) and your comment was welcome.
sounds like your pushing for it, or why bring it up?
I cannot even imagine a more horrific thing for a parent to have to go through. (the HS incident in CO.)
Makes you want to cry just thinking about the impact it has on so many lives - for the rest of those lives.
Terrible
I'm sick of it too...I wish they'd all talk about illegal immigration as much as they're talking about who to blame for 9/11. It's all a diversion from our real problems.
She can't start the Rudy-persecuted-by-narrow-minded-social-conservatives schtick without it.
Rudy-is persecuted-by-narrow-minded-social-conservatives.
Guiliani has this incredible ability to cut through all the MSM BS and make many of the uninformed "get it".
Some days I would just as soon have a liberal that was a true leader, than some of our gutless republicans who can't seem to pull their heads out of their @ss on a bet.
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