You can call Rudy Giuliani many things. Former New York City mayor, prosecutor, prostate cancer survivor, even sir (since he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II). But he is probably most recognized as the man who, a decade ago, kept his city and many would say our entire country calm during the greatest terrorist attack against America.
As the somber 10th anniversary of Sept. 11 looms, the National Press Club invited “America’s Mayor” to be guest speaker for a luncheon on Tuesday.
“This is always a difficult subject for me because the whole recollection of thinking about Sept. 11 is very complicated. It is very complicated because it was the worst day in my life, the worst day in the life of my city, and to some extent I imagine the country. And in some ways it was the greatest day, the most glorious day because of the display of bravery and fortitude and strength that people showed,” Giuliani said.
He talked to the packed audience about that tragic day, the days that followed, and how we as a nation have changed since then. “The purpose of it [the attack] was to break our spirit. Well, boy, just the opposite occurred, right? From the first moment of those firefighters walking into the building and not running out, to our political people all coming together — man, we should have bottled that,” he said.
He recalled how after visiting ground zero with President George W. Bush there was an outcry of support and patriotism from everyone. “As we were going up West End Avenue there were flags all over the place and people were yelling and screaming ‘God bless America,’ blowing kisses to President Bush, ‘We love you, President Bush!’ Well, I couldn’t help it looking at him, I said, ‘Mr. President, I don’t know how to tell you this, not a single one of these people voted for you.’ ”
Giuliani drove home that although 10 years have passed, we are not safe from terrorism and need to prepare for the possibility of another attack.
He even got political in the end and made it clear that he would very much like to see a change in the direction in our country. “I would like to see if there is somebody that emerges that I think would be a strong candidate from the Republican party for president, and if somebody does emerge that I believe can win then I would probably support that person.”
And if not, Giuliani assured he will not let us down. “If I think that we are truly desperate then, I may run. Which is the way I got elected for Mayor of New York City.“ He joked that he’d even run on the same slogan he used in New York City, “You know what my slogan was? You cant do any worse.”
