Giuliani returns to 9/11 in new ad

By Brian C. Mooney, Globe Staff

Sagging in the polls, presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani's campaign will air a new television ad designed to focus attention on what may be the Republican's trump card -- his image as a leader willing to take on terrorists.

The 30-second spot (watch it here) invokes the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 on the World Trade Center, when Giuliani was mayor of New York City. It will begin airing nationally on Fox News Channel and on stations in New Hampshire on Thursday, when Iowa voters will be caucusing. Giuliani has aired no ads in Iowa and has campaigned only sporadically there.

Instead, he has campaigned in New Hampshire, which votes Tuesday, and focused on Florida, which will hold its primary on Jan. 29 and where Giuliani is scheduled to attend a rally late Thursday.

The ad features a narrator describing the dangers and chaos caused by terrorism as video clips of fires, explosions, and angry mobs fill the screen.

"An enemy without borders. Hate without boundaries. A people perverted. A religion betrayed. A nuclear power in chaos. Madmen bent on creating it," the announcer says, as an image of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad flashes on the screen.

"Leaders assassinated," the narrator continues, as an image of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto appears. "Democracy attacked. And Osama bin Laden still making threats." Video appears of the Al Qaeda leader, crouching and firing an assault rifle, then a fleeting picture of a lone piece of wreckage standing after the World Trade Center towers collapsed.

"In a world where the next crisis is a moment away, America needs a leader who's ready," the announcer concludes, then a photo of Giuliani looking steadfast appears.