The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Relatives of people killed at the World Trade Center seven years ago welcomed the decision by Sens. Barack Obama and Barack Obama to appear together at Ground Zero on the anniversary of the attacks.
“I think it’s a wonderful thing,” said Sally Regenhard, whose son Christian, was killed in the attacks on the trade center towers.
“I assume that they’re coming down here to pay respects to the people who lost their lives and to really affirm the fact that this is sacred ground for America.”
She added, “I hope they will support federal health care programs for the heroes who so valiantly searched for our loved ones and lived to pay the price with their deteriorating health today.”
Obama and McCain, the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees, said Saturday they would make a joint appearance at Ground Zero on Thursday “to honor the memory of each and every American who died.”
The campaigns already had agreed to suspend television advertising critical of each other on Sept. 11.
Family members said they welcome the McCain-Obama visit as long as the candidates do not use it as a platform for politics.
“I don’t think there should be any speech given,” said Rosaleen Tallon, whose brother Sean, a rookie firefighter, died in the attacks. “It should just be where they’re paying their respects.”
Charles Wolf, whose wife, Katherine, died at the trade center, recalled that McCain and Obama sat next to each other at the funeral of NBC newsman Tim Russert and said their joint visit to Ground Zero should be similarly somber and dignified.
“My hope would be that the press doesn’t make it political,” Wolf said. “It’s a tough time for family members. As much as you’ve moved on, when that anniversary comes around, it comes around.”
Some family members said they hope to buttonhole the candidates and raise issues such as ongoing health problems for trade center recovery workers and the threat of future terror attacks.
“As a 9/11 advocate, I welcome the chance to run into them at the site so that maybe I can have their ear for a couple of seconds,” said Anthony Gardner,” whose brother Harvey Joseph Gardner III was killed in the attacks.
Meanwhile, the latest polls show McCain has grabbed the upper hand in the race for the White House.
A USA Today/Gallup poll has McCain ahead by 10 points with 55 percent to Obama’s 45 percent,while ABC News/Washington Post and a CBS News poll both have McCain leading by 2 points.
A Rasmussen Daily Tracking poll has McCain ahead by 1 point while a Gallup Daily Tracking poll has McCain up by 5 points. Only CNN has the race tied.