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CNN Sunday Morning

Many Support Choice of Giuliani as `TIME' Person of the Year

Aired December 23, 2001 - 09:10   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Since September 11 he's become an icon, a symbol of toughness, compassion and no-nonsense leadership. And today, New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is "TIME" magazine's Person of the Year.

CNN's Brian Palmer is in New York's Times Square for reaction to today's announcement.

Brian, what's the word?

BRIAN PALMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Kyra.

Well, we're canvassing Times Square, looking for some native New Yorkers and getting some non-native New Yorkers, trying to get their impressions, their feedback on the selection of Rudy Giuliani as Person of the Year, chosen for his forceful and steady leadership of New York City after September 11.

We tracked down one New Yorker, Mel Mandelkorn (ph), a retired school teacher.

Mel, what's your reaction to this choice?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, believe it or not, I am a native New Yorker. Giuliani I like very much. I don't know though if I agree with the choice of Man of the Year.

I feel that fame sort of fell on him because he was in the right place or I should say the wrong place at the right time. Although he's always done a lot for the city and I like him very much.

In fact, I was saying I like his new friend also. I would have opted for President Bush to be Man of the Year. I can't see making bin Laden the Man of the Year. It just gnaws at me to have the villain named, although a lot of people would agree with that choice. My choice, though, is for President Bush.

PALMER: Now we're also joined by Jennifer Berry (ph) from Cleveland. We've interrupted her Christmas routine, so thank you for joining us.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No problem.

PALMER: What is your reaction? UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I guess my reaction is I think it's very appropriate. I think the city has been under a lot of tragedy, first with the 9/11 events and then followed by the subsequent plane crash.

I think there's just been a lot of devastation in this city, and I think Mayor Giuliani has really wrapped his arms around the city and been a fantastic leader, taking -- you know, really reaching out and touching people. So I think it's completely appropriate and I was thrilled to hear the news.

PALMER: Now there are other people who are making statements and who stepped up to the plate on September 11. Why Rudy Giuliani?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I think the events, though they've affected us all, I think they've affected New York more, than the rest of the world. And I think it's appropriate. I mean he didn't just sit back. He's really stepped in.

I mean he's walked somebody down the aisle whose father was unable to walk them down the aisle. I mean he's not just led the city, he's really gotten into the heart of the people where he's really needed. So I think it's a great recommendation. I'm very pleased for him.

PALMER: Jennifer and Mel, thank you very much. So we got a couple of different perspectives from the native New Yorker, from the visitor, and we're going to keep scouring Time Square for more impressions -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Make sure you get a good lunch. Brian Palmer, thanks so much.

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