Outrage Over Local Giuliani Fundraiser

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sep. 26, 2007 (KGO) (KGO) -- A Peninsula fundraiser for Rudy Giuliani went on as scheduled, but with one important difference. Organizers dropped a plan to collect $9.11 cents from supporters following a blizzard of criticism from firefighters, to the families of 9/11 victims.

Rudy Giuliani is distancing himself from the nine-eleven fundraising theme and blames it on local volunteers.

His role as New York mayor during the terror attacks gave him the visibility, and some say qualifications to run for president.

but he says anyone who did donate $9.11 cents to attend this Palo Alto house party, will get their money back from the organizers.

"It was a few people, it was an unfortunate thing to do, they shouldn't have done it that way," said Rudy Giuliani (R) Former Mayor of New York.

Critics may not buy his explanation. Other presidential hopefuls are lambasting him, along with some families of 9/11 victims.

And firefighter unions have issues with Giuliani from before the attacks.

"If he really wants to be a hero, what did he do prior to that event, what did he do to prepare his emergency services people, to have the best equipment," said Tony Spitaleri from the Palo Alto Firefighters Union.

Tomorrow the candidate himself comes to California to accept the endorsement of former governor Pete Wilson and Friday he's slated to make an appearance in Napa County. Clearly, this botched 9/11 fundraising is something Giuliani and his staff want to put behind them as fast as possible.

"The campaign asked us to leave all comments for the campaign," said a Giuliani supporter.

Volunteers were sensitive enough about the gaffe; they intercepted their own guests to tell them not to speak to reporters.

A few defied that to talk about Giuliani and his 9/11 connection.

"It was evidence of how he would protect our country in an emergency, with the threat of terrorism, so I think it's symbolic; I don't think it's exploitive," said one Giuliani supporter.

Political strategists note the attacks have become a touchstone for candidates, but it's a fine line into exploitation.

"People understand that you're going to use 9/11 in a variety of political ways, but fundraising is a line you cannot cross," said Democratic strategist Chris Lehane.

And this fundraiser still collected money for Giuliani; presumably in amounts larger than $9.11 cents.

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