By ANNE SAUNDERS

Associated Press Writer

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) – No one could have guided the country through the terrorist attacks on 9-11 any better than President Bush, former Republican New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Saturday.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have George Bush when we needed him most,” he said inside a crowded Elm Street restaurant as Democrats stood outside shouting and waving candidate signs.

In an interview afterward with The Associated Press, Giuliani responded to criticism from Democrat Wesley Clark. Clark has said Bush did not do enough to protect against the terrorist attacks, and is not doing enough now to guard against another tragedy.

“Before 9-11, it was a different world,” Giuliani said. If Bush overlooked danger from terrorists so did President Clinton and other leaders, he said.

“I think the real issue is what have we done since September 11, 2001, and I think President Bush has done as much as anyone could possibly do in that short time,” he said.

Bush went after al-Qaida in Afghanistan and created the new Department of Homeland Security within two years, he said.

“We’ve come out of those attacks stronger and more determined than before,” he said.

Giuliani also defended Bush on the domestic front.

“President Bush has revitalized our economy. We’re growing and we’re growing in substantial ways,” he said.

Democratic criticism is just politics as usual, he said.

“They’re very much the same,” he said of the field of candidates.

Whoever wins the nomination will be formidable, he said.

“It’s going to be a tough election,” he said.

AP-ES-01-24-04 1837EST