I don't have a political comment to add here, but think that RD's post above appears to be unfair to Rep. Boehner. Per TPM: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/lay-off-boehner-why-claims-that-he-snubbed-obama-giffords-are-unfounded.php?ref=fpa

I gather there was general excitement last night, in the President's party and others who knew the latest from Rep. Giffords' doctors, that she opened her eyes after being shot in the face (this news just astonished me). This came through in his speech. Also, while the way he ended it was full of the kind of sentiment from which I usually recoil, I've observed that one of the facts most central to President Obama's personality is that he is the father to two young girls. The poor Green girl's murder must have affected him very deeply.

"Let's see... Ride on Air Force One and pay respects to victims of a national tragedy? Or have a few drinks with some fellow Republicans? What shall i do" What ever shall I do?"

"It's a no-brainer. Scotch on the rocks please."

Also, I don't think it would have done any good to have the President and Speaker in the same venue, given the attack that already took place. Best not to take chances. The Vice President was overseas as well, visiting troops in the Middle East.

First of all this is Tom Ricks's blog. 2nd, I think it speaks to the mindset of our Commander In Chief.

I look it at this way. I never supported George W. Bush (heck, I have never voted for a Republican) but when he spoke at the site of the Twin Towers in NYC after 9/11 he was my President too and he had my support in going after our enemies who were responsible. What happened in Tuscon last Saturday impacted all Americans (whether they realize it or not) in how we citizens redress our issues and grievances in Washington D.C.. And whether you support or not support President Obama he is still your President too. What happened last Saturday was something that should transcend partisan politics for just a few moments so that we can all come together as Americans.

If I need comments like that, I can go to the New York Times' editorial page, which in pitch-perfect hypocritical fashion printed an editorial this morning that first echoed Mr. Obama's call for civility, and then in the next paragraph launched into a diatribe attacking Gov. Palin. Class.

I wouldn't have commented again on the Arizona incident, except that the president's speech so evoked the Gettysburg Address that I thought today's comments falls within the purview of the blog.
Thanks,
Tom

I agree.

Obviously Tom doesn't since his two posts on the incident have hit on partisan politics.

When President Bush spoke at the WTC, it was in response to an attack on the US -- a terrorist attack that launched us into two wars (that's the reality, whether you support either).

What happened last Saturday has almost nothing to do with national security.

I disagree because I think what happened in Tucson was an attack on our system, perhaps all the more worrying because it does not appear that way to many.
Best,
Tom

Tom is absolutely correct in that Loughner’s attack was not against a random target but a purely ‘political’ target. Gabby Gifford’s was targeted because she was a Congresswomen and the venue was meeting by the Representative to meet her constituents. Whether the attack manifested itself in some fantasy Loughner had in his demented brain because she was a Democrat remains to be seen.

I might add that my wife goes for allergy shots in the building that Gifford’s has her local office and their were demonstrators there holding signs proclaiming ‘Republicans are Murderers’ so that obviously means that stupidity is not really confined to the right.

I also notice that many high profile Republicans are expressing disappointment in Palin’s two public comments about this situation. Palin could have been generous and taken the high road given the circumstances but instead she choose to make an insensitive typically self indulgent gesture which leads me to believe that she is less interested in a serious political career than merely being a celebrity. The advantage in being a celebrity is that there are no standards whatsoever which apparently suits her intellect and temperament just fine.

If I quit half-way through my commitment, I won't expect anyone to address me as "CPT McTavish."

No more talk of Sarah Palin.

An attack on the system implies a political motivation. As best as can be determined at this point, there simply is no political motivation involved in this incident.

All who knew Loughner say the same thing, that he's crazy and that it didn't seem like he had any coherent political thought.

Who are we going to believe, guys? The people with a political ax to grind, or the people who best knew the killer?

Agree Pub, but you know what they say, "Never let a crises go to waste." As long as political points can be scored it's all good. After all, who really cares about a 9 year old girl or millions of people without a job? It's all about the political advantage.

For those of you who are a bit dense, /sarc off

I'd say that the shooter was desperate for attention. He was angry at the world, and what better way to lash out and get attention than to shoot a congresswoman?

I don't think the Judge was targeted because he just happened to be attending mass nearby and decided to stop by Safeway to speak to Giffords about illegal immigration.

To say this attack was politically-motivated is another way for people to try to subtly suggest that Palin must have been influential, if not involved outright, in the shootings. That's just my opinion, of course. I have no evidence to suggest that some of you guys want to smear Palin. I'm just going with what I believe, because Democrats seem to be doing that these days, so why not?

You should look it up ... it might be on the final.

I think both statements beyond the pale. Along with 'blood libel' and other recent dreck. But there's a contrast between out-of-bounds statements of this sort and arguably accurate - if partisan - attribution of actions and characterizations (McConnell did say that, Boehner did stay in DC for a drink, and Ms Palin is getting more and more indistinguishable from a character in a really bad soap opera).

Somehow there's become loose in the land (particularly in military circles) the idea that politics are somehow wrong and political motivations always suspect. But our republic has baked into its DNA the firm belief that individuals are partisan and motivations selfish. Our system anticipates battle and has trial-by-combat as a primary mode of policy making. No apologies. Game on, bubba.

We should lock him up at Gitmo.

BTW -- Is a billboard calling someone a "straight shooter" an attack on "the system" too?

There's a Target store in Wasilla.

http://anchoragejoop.blogspot.com/2008/10/tikahtnu-commons.html

We need to shut it down.

the audience was there, not for the memorial, but because Obama has star power. Did you hear the "we love you" stuff? He handled it well though, even if the audience didn't. I like Obama. He has way more class than his supporters.