Legal Commentary

Obama Speaks at Tucson Memorial Service

By Jeralyn

President Barack Obama is addressing the nation in Tucson at the memorial service for the victims of the Arizona shootings. You can watch live here.

"Bad things happen, and we must guard against simple explanations in the aftermath," Obama said at a memorial service for the victims.

"The truth is that none of us can know exactly what triggered this vicious attack. None of us can know with any certainty what might have stopped those shots from being fired, or what thoughts lurked in the inner recesses of a violent man's mind," he said.

"We cannot use this time to turn on each other." [More...]

Michelle Obama and Mark Kelly, Gabrielle Giffords' husband.

At the end, President Obama walked over to Michelle Obama and got a hug.

I think the audience responded well to his remarks. He came across as a leader. He had some passion at times, and was appropriately subdued at others. While there were some campaign-type techniques, like repeating the same line 3 or 4 times, with carefully punctuated pauses for applause. overall he spoke from the heart. Most importantly, he avoided casting blame, did not pretend to have answers, and he kept the focus on the victims.

One thing I did note: While many are referring to Jared Loughner as deranged, crazy or sick, Obama only called him "violent." In other words, he was careful to make no concessions on Loughner's mental state.

For the truth is that none of us can know exactly what triggered this vicious attack. None of us can know with any certainty what might have stopped those shots from being fired, or what thoughts lurked in the inner recesses of a violent man's mind.

What did you think of the speech?

Full post as published by TalkLeft on January 12, 2011 (boomark / email).