9/11 response sets stage for '08 campaigns

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Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has spent the more than five years since the September 11 attacks making sure Republicans do not have the monopoly on anti-terrorism leadership.

The New York Democrat has secured money for ground zero workers' health ailments and has fought for Congress to bolster anti-terror plans and funding for high-risk cities.

Her strength on homeland security will especially help her if she becomes the Democratic nominee and if front-running former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani becomes the Republican nominee.

"A crisis brought us all together, and we rolled up our sleeves," Mrs. Clinton recently told a forum for 2008 presidential candidates hosted by the International Association of Firefighters.

Many in attendance lauded her for working with Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, to take care of those impacted by the attacks.

Mr. Schumer, a Clinton supporter, said White House candidates will always need tough terrorism talk because the attacks changed everything.

"Whoever is going to put together the best platform on that issue will prevail, and I think Senator Clinton will have the best platform because she knows the issue so well," he said.

The two senators recently secured $50 million for treatment of September 11 responders and others suffering effects of the attacks, with Mrs. Clinton promising to "keep fighting until we have the necessary and long-term funds in place to prevent these vital programs from having to go cap in hand to that government as the money dries up."

Mrs. Clinton has said she may call Mr. Giuliani as a witness for her Senate investigation into "World Trade Center cough." He responded by saying he hoped the inquiry would be "above politics," according to press reports. Giuliani staffers did not respond to requests for comment.

At the March firefighters' forum, Mrs. Clinton took a subtle jab at Mr. Giuliani, who did not attend the event, saying she appreciated their New York group's endorsement of her Senate bid.