9/11 Emergency Response
Instead of the usual welcome page displaying the latest news, buzz, photos, and video from Giuliani's WH bid, there's instead a simple and somber message: "September 11, 2001. We will not forget." The page -- which, according to dep. comm. dir. Maria Comella, will be up all day -- displays a quote from Giuliani's 10/1/01 address to the UN: "This massive attack was intended to break our spirit. It has not done that. It has made us stronger, more determined and more resolved." It also features a link to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum website. What it does not include, however, is a link to Giuliani's camp website.
This move does two things for Giuliani. First, it reminds voters of his inherent link to 9/11, and how his image of "America's Mayor" was born on that day. But also, by choosing to block access to his campaign site for the day, Giuliani seems to be reassuring voters that the anniversary is not a day for politics. Is this a way to silence those who have accused him of exploiting the tragedy -- especially those who have criticized his role in today's Ground Zero memorial ceremony -- or does it merely provide more fodder for his critics, who say that without 9/11, Giuliani would never be in the frontrunner position that he holds today? [MAURA O'BRIEN].