NY Sept. 11 Officials to be Highlighted at Convention

ALBANY, N.Y. – Former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani (search), his successor Michael Bloomberg (search) and Gov. George Pataki (search) will be featured prominently at the Republican National Convention for their actions after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a convention spokesman said Friday.

"The role they played in New York, the strength, the resiliency that they demonstrated to the world is very much a part of what we're going to show the world at our convention," said Leonardo Alcivar.

The comments came as Democrats have complained that the Republicans are trying to capitalize politically on the tragedy that brought down the World Trade Center. Republicans have denied that is the case.

Alcivar said that it has not been determined what role each will play at the convention, to be held in New York City Aug. 30-Sept. 2, but "the mayor, the governor and the former mayor are all stars and they're going to play a prominent role."

Asked if Giuliani, Bloomberg and Pataki would be featured in prime-time television spots during the convention, Alcivar said: "I think it's safe to say that all America is going to see and hear from this trio of stars