Aside from exploiting 9/11, I also believe that they wanted the convention here in NYC to try and get votes. NYC is a highly democratic city. Most people are democrats here except the few on the upper east side. Bush's camp got thousands and thousands of dollars in donations mainly from the upper east side. The convention is not only causing havoc on the people of the city and surrounding areas, but its also increasing security concerns that NYC DOESN'T need.