Giuliani Running Into Controversy

New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani startled officials Friday by barnstorming Buffalo to take a chunk of credit for new low-cost jet service to this city - a project long identified with Sen. Chuck Schumer.

In the 1998 Senate race, Schumer made an issue of sky-high air fares for travel between cities within the state. He then lobbied the Clinton administration to open 75 takeoff and landing slots daily at Kennedy Airport to the airline JetBlue, which began service Friday.

But in interviews with upstate radio stations all week, Giuliani hasn’t been modest about claiming a significant role in helping JetBlue. “I think we assisted a great deal in making sure they got the slots at Kennedy Airport,” he said.

Friday, he talked up JetBlue on three Buffalo TV stations - all before 7 a.m. Then he joined officials and JetBlue executives for the christening of service here.

William Mosely of the U.S. Transportation Department - an arm of the Clinton administration - said he could find no record of the mayor’s involvement in the awarding of the landing slots.

Later Friday, in White Plains, Giuliani told GOP leaders there was no question he’s in the race. “I am running,” he said. “Look what I’m doing - I’m not walking. … The Clinton era is over.”