Twice today on a local talk radio station here in NY on seperate shows, the topic of whether Rudolph Giulani was given undo credit for his role in the post 9-11 recovery efforts. Statements that he was just being “The Mayor”, or that anyone in his position would have done as well, even that “He” didnt actually do anything. Now I know there are plenty of New Yorkers who abhored him during his time in office previous to the attacks, but to try and strip him of the credit he deserves for his efforts in what was the greatest tragedy this country, let alone this city, has ever known just seems ludicrous to me.
I`m curious as to how he is viewed throughout the country as well as my fellow New Yorkers take on the topic.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
“DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE”
Replies
I AM A FIREFIGHTER IN NORTH CAROLINA. MY WIFE IS FROM NEW YORK. WE BOTH THINK THAT HE IS A TRUE HERO. NOONE COULD HAVE DONE A FINER JOB UNDER SUCH EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES.
From here in California he looked like a man with his #### together. Kick butt and take names, worry about the whiners later. And God knows, the whiners have come out of the woodwork like roaches.
Jealous, they didn't like him before, they like him less now. Joe H
Seemed to me to be a good guy to have in the position in a time of need. From what I could gather, I woulda liked him as mayor about 80% of the time......cleaning up Time Square.....doing road repairs at nite.......would disagree when he took on the art community.....but over all....favorable. Probably woulda voted for him.
9-11 is a different kinda animal. Wouldn't even begin to guess what was going thru the N.Y.'er's minds....but I'm sure a mayor with poise and dignity and a calming effect would be of utmost importance. The city held strong......so how could anyone question his leadership? Maybe anyone in the position would have done the same....doubt it......but what ever he did.....it semed to have worked.
I do know that as an outsider....I did feel more comfortable with the way he presented things on the TV interviews. NY was most affected......but I believe he helped calm the rest of the nation as well.
Not real sure if I'd use the word hero though.....that should be saved for those that went above and beyond.........I'd say he did the most that could be expected....fully handeled the most that was asked of him from his position...and did it all well. Hero.....no...but all that voted for him should rest well with the decision they made on voting day. He applied for a tough job......did it as best as could be expected under battle conditions....and left office knowing no one else could have done any better. Jeff She's exotic ,but not foreign, like an old Cadillac......she's a knockout!
It seemed to me like he did a very fine job, but I was a long way away.
There have been a few negative things about him around lately....some criticism that he's cashing in on 911 (books, movies, etc.)....also word that he may be positioning himself or being positioned for a big political role....so maybe there are people working against him.cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.S
Hes the bomb. I liked when he gave that money back to the Saudi Prince after He made some remarks. I think He showed the world what and how we think. It also showed what the people in the middle east think of us. That we are not whores that will do anything or listen to anything for a buck. I think He not only surprized them but distroyed their stereo type of us. Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"
I wouldn't call him a hero either. He was in a position to do a job , and he did it . Yes he was under a lot of pressure. But other people there were under more. From where I live , we think he did a good job.
I remember the work our trades have been called to do in hurricanes and tornados , not to take any thing away from him. But we also work around the clock to get people covered back up. The reserves did a job along with hundreds of others. He was lucky enough to get popular. I think he was a man that did a good job in a very stressful time. I think they were lucky to have a man that was ready to take that disaster on .
Tim Mooney
As an Oregonian and an American, I can only say that the mayor demonstrated tremendous leadership! Few people are called upon in their lives to face a crisis and those that do, deal with it in various ways...from the Don Knots caracature of a shrinking weanie to the true leader who maintains a calm and deliberate demeanor in the heat of battle. And no one really knows how they're going to hold up until they're in the line of fire.
Guiliani held up and exuded the calming, positive influence that was needed at the time. He's the best kind of leader.
Was he a hero? Not by my definition, but I trust he would be heroic if the circumstances required it.
He may have his warts and his temper and all that, but he can join me in my foxhole anytime!
Notchman nailed it.
He's not a hero. He didn't do anything remotely heroic. However, he displayed a phenomenal sense of leadership in the hours and days after the crimes.
Where he showed it best was when Hillary Clinton, Charles Schumer, and Giuliani were on a platform and the press was asking questions. Essentially, all three were asked the same things over and over again, however the replies from the three were markedly different.
Schumer and Clinton essentially focused on "we need to hold hands, we need to love each other, we need to yadda, yadda, yadda." Lots of emotional comforting, but not much practical advise. regardless of the questions, there replies remained the same. Essentially, useless drivel. It was a time when action was required, and they gave no course of action.
Guiliani: "We need blood donations. Go here, there, and there. We need bottled water and certain food and clothing items. Drop off sites are here, there, and there. Call this 1-800 number, do this to help, don't do this as it will hinder.
Asked for culpabilty, his answeres remained the same: "I'm not worried about that now. We need, blood, water, clothing, and helpers. Step up to help, or step out of the way."
Essentially, he lead. He lead well. He was all business when we needed business taken care of. When things settled a bit and calmed, he was fatherly figure to those who sought comfort. He did the tasks required, and did them when required. I didn't see a whole lot of gratuitous emotion or feigned or false sadness.
He acted like a leader, and lead like a leader, instead of a politician.
Hero? No way.
Leader? In that situation, he was top-notch.
It has almost gotten to the place where a true leader is a hero. We need more leaders. The general state of publically oriented leadership in our country is sadly failing.