On 9/11 anniversary, terrorism worries decline and candidates pay their respects

John McCain and Barack Obama appeared together at ground zero in New York City this afternoon, finding common ground in honoring the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

They had called a truce in their increasingly vitriolic contest, and jointly lay roses given to them by family members of victims on a reflecting pool covered with other flowers where the World Trade Center towers stood until seven years ago today.
They both paused and bowed their heads.

Tonight, they will attend a forum at Columbia University where they will call for more community service.

Obama arrived first and was greeted by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who explained the layout and the rebuilding process. McCain and Cindy McCain joined them.

McCain shook hands and hugged Bloomberg, but he and Obama just shook hands and place their hands on each other's arms. As they started walking to the site, Obama put his arm on McCain's back, and they appeared to share a laugh. But further on, as Obama kept speaking, McCain didn't look at him, striding purposefully a little ahead.

They were greeted, and each received a flower, from family members of victims, and stopped to speak to them.

As McCain and Obama marked the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a new poll shows that concern about another strike is at its lowest level since -- and that terrorism is far less of a campaign issue than the faltering economy.

The CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released this morning found that 30 percent of Americans fear another attack on US soil in the next several weeks -- down 11 percentage points from a year ago and 30 points from the first anniversary.

Asked what would be the most important issue in deciding their vote for president, 11 percent picked terrorism -- fewer than the 56 percent who chose the economy, the 13 percent who named the Iraq war, and the 12 percent who picked healthcare.

The number focusing on the economy has risen from 42 percent just in March, but since there has been unrelenting bad news on job losses and the US government has moved aggressively to shore up banks and mortgage institutions.

The poll also included disconcerting news for President Bush: only 37 percent give him credit for the fact that there has not been another terrorist attack in the United States, and his 28 percent approval rating ties for his lowest in the poll.

Another poll out today also found terrorism fears at a low point. Those saying they had a "great deal" of worry about another attack declined to 18 percent in the Washington Post/ABC News survey from 25 percent last year, 30 percent in 2005, and a high of 49 percent the night of 9/11.

The Post/ABC poll also found confidence in the US campaign against terrorism, with 62 percent saying it is going well, up from a low of 52 percent in September 2006, but down from the high of 88 percent in early 2002 just after the US assault on Afghanistan.

Obama and McCain both plan to attend a ceremony at ground zero in New York City, then a community service forum tonight.

Obama issued a statement on the anniversary: “Today, we honor the memory of the lives that were lost on September 11, 2001, and grieve with the families and friends who lost someone they loved in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We will never forget those who died. We will always remember the extraordinary efforts of our firefighters, police and emergency responders, and those who sacrificed their own lives on Flight 93 to protect their fellow Americans. And we give thanks for the Americans defending us every day in our communities at home, and in our military abroad.

“On 9/11, Americans across our great country came together to stand with the families of the victims, to donate blood, to give to charity, and to say a prayer for our country. Let us renew that spirit of service and that sense of common purpose. Let us remember that the terrorists responsible for 9/11 are still at large, and must be brought to justice. Let us resolve to defeat terrorist networks, defend the American homeland, stand up for the enduring American values that we cherish, and seek a new birth of freedom at home and around the world.”

McCain attended a ceremony in Shanksville, Pa., where United Flight 93 crashed when passengers resisted terrorist hijackers.

McCain spoke briefly, reading a brief statement:

"No American living then should ever forget the heroism that occurred in the skies above this field on Sept. 11, 2001. It is believed that the terrorists on United Flight 93 may have intended to crash the airplane into the United States Capitol. Hundreds if not thousands of people would have been at work in that building when that fateful moment occurred, and been destroyed along with a beautiful symbol of our freedom. They and, very possibly I, owe our lives to the passengers who summoned the courage and love necessary to deny our depraved and hateful enemies their terrible triumph.

"I have witnessed great courage and sacrifice for America's sake, but none greater than the sacrifice of those good people who grasped the gravity of the moment, understood the threat, and decided to fight back at the cost of their lives.

"I spoke at the memorial service for one of them, Mark Bingham. I acknowledged that few of us could say we loved our country as well as he and all the heroes of Sept. 11 had. The only means we possess to thank them is to try to be as good an American as they were. We might fall well short of their standard, but there is honor in the effort.

"In the Gospel of John it is written, 'Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.' Such was their love; a love so sublime that only God's love surpasses it. I am in awe of it as much as I am in debt to it. May God bless their souls."

His campaign website also urges supporters to perform some kind of community service to mark the anniversary. "I am running for President of the United States because I believe in the greatness of this nation as a beacon of goodwill throughout the world. My friends, each and every one of us has a duty to serve a cause greater than our own self-interest.

"I hope you will take a moment to learn more about these important causes and consider getting involved helping others either here or with the thousands of other organizations serving the greater cause."