Firefighters Infighting Over Who to Endorse

Looks like we have some dissention among the ranks. I was wondering why Bush would watch the Cheney speech with firefighters tonight when the state firefighters had endorsed Kerry. Now we know - but we're still confused, considering the NYFD was among those shortchanged by Bushonomics.

The Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York sent a letter of support to the president Tuesday.

Cassidy, momentarily losing his composure, praised Bush and said the nation needed him to win the war against terror.

Bush was joined by National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, Gov. George Pataki and Reps. Peter King (R-Seaford) and Vito Fossella (R-Staten Island). King said Karl Rove, Bush's top political adviser, worked for months to secure the coveted endorsement.

The support sparked a political firefight.

The New York State Professional Firefighters Association, which represents firefighters across the state, issued its own statement noting that it and another union of the city's 2,900 fire lieutenants, captains and top officers, have endorsed Democrat John Kerry.

During the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, Kerry aggressively courted the support of firefighters in New Hampshire. Last September, the International Association of Fire Fighters unanimously endorsed Kerry and its members have since often campaigned with him.

"Firefighters' support of Kerry is based on the records of the two candidates, which couldn't be more different when it comes to delivering for firefighters in New York and across the country," said Charles Morello, president of New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association.