Rudy Giuliani Hears From Upset 9/11 First Responders

(Fox News) - Republican presidential candidate and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is taking some criticism over statements made Thursday about the aftermath of 9/11.

He told reporters — "I was at Ground Zero as often, if not more, than most of the workers. ... I was there working with them. I was exposed to exactly the same things they were exposed to."

A New York City fire captain whose son — also a firefighter — was killed in the attacks said — "That's insulting and disgraceful. He's a liar. I was down there on my hands and knees looking for my son. [Giuliani is] living in a dreamland."

A Queens paramedic who was a first responder added — "I personally find that very, very insulting. Standing there doing a photo-op and telling the men, 'You're doing a good job,' I don't consider that to be working."

Today — Giuliani said he misspoke — was trying to empathize with first responders — and was not trying to compete with them.