Hey all,

I've never written here although I come by to read often, but I thought this was an important story that went unreported on the site - as well as on any national media outlets, as far as I can tell. Yesterday the New York City Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, which represents the city's 30,000 cops, not only announced it won't support Rudy in 2008, but also laid into him something special. NYC's biggest free daily, the AM Metro, reported the story:

"Giuliani's `zeroes for heroes' contracts held police pay stagnant while all the other local departments in the metro area were getting modest but steady raises," (PBA President Patrick) Lynch's statement continued. "Today, there are simply not enough NYPD police officers to keep this city safe and it is his fault."

Lynch also questioned whether Giuliani deserves his reputation as "America's mayor" in the aftermath of 9/11, saying the candidate has "no real credentials" when it comes to fighting terror.

"Giuliani has wrapped himself firmly in the cloak of 9/11 for his own political purposes," Lynch said. "But the real heroes of 9/11, those who helped to evacuate those towers and lived to tell the tale and all those who participated in the recovery and cleanup, know the truth. ... The New York City Patrolmen's Benevolent Association could never support Rudy Giuliani for any elected office."

I think this story is potentially vastly more damaging even than the Kerik story. Imagine a NYC cop -- one who was at Ground Zero -- in a 30 TV spot delivering some of the truth and vitriol above. You could torpedo all his self-made mythology almost instantly. After reading this, I've started to really and truly hope he's the Republican nominee -- his whole campaign is built on quicksand.

What makes this story even better is that so many New Yorkers are similarly infuriated by Giuliani's manipulation of history and tragedy. Who better to speak for us then the cops, who make the real sacrifices in keeping the city safe. Hope you all find this as vindicating as I did.

The full story is at: http://ny.metro.us/metro/local/article/C op_union_blasts_Rudy/10718.html