Giuliani: 'Hero' or 'Phony'?

Sept. 11, 2007 — -- On Sept. 11, 2001, New York -- and America -- was irrevocably changed by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The images from that day are permanently burned into the memories of all who watched the two iconic buildings collapse. One such indelible image is that of a debris-covered, grim and determined Mayor Rudy Giuliani marching the streets near the site, lending a sense of leadership amid the chaos and tragedy.

That legacy has become the center of Giuliani's presidential campaign, suggesting that his expertise on terrorism adds to his qualifications in the race. But there are critics who disagree with Giuliani's supposed terrorism credentials. How much is true about the man behind the myth of Sept. 11?

The former mayor attended a memorial for the victims of Sept. 11 today. Also in attendance was Jim Riches, a battalion chief on Sept. 11 and a 30-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department. Riches was at home that morning, six years ago, when his phone rang -- his 29-year-old-son, also a firefighter, was working that day.

Responding immediately, Riches arrived right after the second tower collapsed. "The scene was chaotic. I mean, there were bodies all over the place," he said. "I saw a couple guys that I knew and they said they had seen my son go into the North Tower and I figured right away he was gone." It was months later, on March 25, 2002, that his son's body was found.

Dr. Michael Cohen, a psychologist, was also called to work on Sept. 11. He had been involved in crisis management in the wake of the 1993 attack on the same World Trade Center. The mayor -- not known for taking advice easily -- met with Cohen on the morning of Sept. 12. Impressed by Giuliani's leadership, Cohen said he felt he was "in the presence of a presence." His message to the mayor was to be authoritative, and truthful.

In a press conference held an hour after that meeting, Cohen said Giuliani "knew how important this was, what his role was in this. I never saw him underestimate or overestimate his role." It was that powerful presence that created the Giuliani legacy that remains today. Time magazine named him Man of the Year, and he was quickly dubbed "America's Mayor."