David Foster Wallace on 9/11, as Seen from the Midwest
The unwritten "no campaigning on 9/11" rule is a relatively recent one, established by George W. Bush and John Kerry in 2004 and observed by the major-party campaigns in every presidential election cycle since. Unlike some other campaign precedents – like, say, releasing one's tax returns.
That's probably for the best, especially given that during the primary, both candidates evoked the national tragedy in their own objectionable way. Trump made (and repeatedly defended) the debunked claim that Muslims in New Jersey were cheering from their rooftops as they watched the Twin Towers collapse. Hillary Clinton invoked the terrorist attacks when questioned by Democratic rival Bernie Sanders about her close ties to Wall Street.
Clinton and Trump, though, share a story that illustrates how each of them handled the aftermath of September 11th – a tragedy that has special resonance in a the city where both later headquartered their presidential campaigns. Clinton lobbied for substantial recovery funds, and when those funds were disbursed, Trump made sure he got in on the action.
More:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/how-donald-trump-cashed-in-on-911-w438757
