By Steve Holland
Reuters

Sink those teeth in, John and don’t let go. - JS

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani came under attack on Friday from Democratic rival John Edwards for saying he spent as much time if not more at the site of New York’s destroyed World Trade Center than rescue workers.

The clash highlighted the continued importance of the September 11 attacks to U.S. presidential politics as Giuliani tries to use his record as former New York City mayor to help him get into the White House.

The group 9-11 Families, which represents some of those rescue workers, demanded an apology, saying, “Rudy Giuliani has insulted all September 11 first responders, family groups and especially those of us who are battling life-threatening illnesses with his delusional statement.”

In a visit to Cincinnati on Thursday, Giuliani told reporters that no one did more for firefighters killed in the attacks and their families than he did and that he raised millions on their behalf.

“Every single penny of the $227 million went to the families,” Giuliani said. “This is not a mayor or governor or president who was sitting in an ivory tower.”

“I was at Ground Zero as often, if not more, than most of the workers,” he said.

The Edwards campaign issued a statement from its national chairman, former Michigan Democratic Rep. David Bonior, who said, “Evidently, Rudy Giuliani has taken a break from reality.”

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