The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The International Association of Fire Fighters accused Republican Rudy Giuliani of exploiting the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks because a supporter is holding a $9.11-per-person fundraiser for the presidential candidate.

The union - already a vocal critic of Giuliani's - said yesterday that the fundraiser's "$9.11 for Rudy" theme is an abuse of the image and symbols of the 2001 attacks.

"It is nothing short of disrespectful to the legacy of the thousands of civilians and 343 brave firefighters who died at Ground Zero," association president Harold Schaitberger said.

The campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Chris Dodd called the theme "unconscionable."

A Giuliani spokeswoman, Maria Comella, said the $9.11 idea was "an unfortunate choice," selected without the campaign's knowledge.

Giuliani supporter Abraham Sofaer is slated to hold the fundraiser at his Palo Alto, Calif., home today, when Giuliani backers across the country are participating in National House Party Night. Donors are generally being asked for $25, $50 or $100.

The invitation says "$9.11 for Rudy" is an "independent, non-denominational grass-roots campaign to raise $10,000 in small increments."