At an emotionally charged memorial service held in Arizona yesterday for victims of the Tucson shooting massacre, Barack Obama delivered a rousing speech to a 12,000 strong crowd that may be remembered as a watershed moment in the flailing President’s career.
Calling for calm and civility in the wake of the horrific incident in which a lone gunman killed six people and wounded 13 others in an assassination attempt on Democrats congresswomen Gabrielle Giffords, who is currently recovering in hospital after being shot in the head, Obama’s speech has generated widespread praise from both sides of politics as well as some inevitable criticism.
It provides a stark comparison to Sarah Palin’s divisive “blood libel” video address in which Palin earlier this week defended herself against accusations that provocative political rhetoric may have incited the Tuscon killings.
High profile conservative blogger Ed Morrissey was one of many staunch Obama critics who applauded the President’s address, calling it “what may be the finest moment of his presidency … he deserves credit and gratitude for his leadership at a point in time where the nation needed it, and I’m happy to give him both.”
Watch the speech in full below.
With apologies to W.S. Churchill, this could be his finest hour.
Obama’s supporters have used a national tragedy in a most disgraceful way, seeking to gain partisan advantage from the murderous assault of someone, almost certainly, seriously disturbed.
Palin’s response was excellent. Most especially, while extending her condolences to all who have suffered and expressing her anguish, she reminded all that we must always take responsibilty for what we do, and not blame the broader community.
Even this piece by Crikey continues the partisan commentary, again seeking to attack Palin.
@ John James
So, given that SP is a person who takes reponsibility for what she does, those crosshairs — no way they’re crosshairs! — will be back on her website soon?
no worries John…that was exactly what they were trying to do
Yes. Obama made a great speech. But if Americans want the world to see and appreciate the best in them, they must change their guns laws, otherwise what the world sees, far too often, is the worst in them.