Rudy Giuliani Criticized for Plans to Speak at Ground Zero Sept. 11 Attack Anniversary

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Rudy Giuliani will speak at the sixth anniversary remembrance of the World Trade Center attack, as he has every year, but some relatives of those who died said the solemn ceremony is no place for presidential politics.

"He's cashing in on 9/11 like it's his own personal tragedy. It's a photo op on a campaign swing for him," said Jimmy Riches, a deputy fire chief whose son was among the 343 firefighters killed.

Sally Regenhard, whose firefighter son was also killed, said she was stunned that the city would ask a presidential candidate to speak there.

"They should have every other single presidential candidate then, because this is outrageous," Regenhard said. "This is going to be seen across the country as a blanket endorsement from us. It's totally inappropriate."

Giuliani's senior political adviser, Tony Carbonetti, noted that the former mayor lost friends in the attack and said that his activities that day are not political.

I understand he was there and played a prominent role. Yet, to say it's not a political event is not fully true. Anything Rudy does as a presidential aspirant is political.