© 2026 WRVO Public Media
NPR News for Central New York
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

GOP Speakers Invoke Sept. 11, War on Terror

The Republican National Convention begins with a night of speeches extolling President Bush's leadership on foreign policy, particularly in securing the nation after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who presided over the city during the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, spoke on the heels of several relatives of those who lost their lives in the attacks. In his speech closing the night's events, Giuliani credited the president for dismantling the Taliban in Afghanistan and the apprehension of Saddam Hussein in Iraq.

Giuliani also attacked Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry over his foreign policy stance, questioning the senator's positions on issues ranging from the Israeli security barrier to the war in Iraq.

The remarks by Giuliani amplified points hinted at by Sen. John McCain, who spoke before him. Recalling the unity that prevailed in the days after the terror attacks, McCain called on Democrats to trust the sincerity of Republicans in their attempts to protect the nation.

Although McCain refrained from launching direct attacks on Kerry, his speech was disrupted by chants and boos from the Madison Square Garden audience when he urged them not to heed pundits like filmmaker Michael Moore, who was seated in a press box in the arena.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Tags
Recent cuts to federal funding are challenging our mission to serve central and upstate New York with trusted journalism, vital local coverage, and the diverse programming that informs and connects our communities. This is the moment to join our community of supporters and help keep journalists on the ground, asking hard questions that matter to our region.

Stand with public media and make your gift today—not just for yourself, but for all who depend on WRVO as a trusted resource and civic cornerstone in central and upstate New York.