Political reactions to the Giffords assassination attempt

Public reactions to the Giffords assassination attempt began after the January 5, 2011 shooting. This article does not cover the reactions of the shootings of other people but the aftermath and reaction to Giffords. The shooting occurred outside a Safeway store in Casas Adobes, AZ.
Aftermath in Casas Adobes, AZ
Green's organs were donated, some of which were transplanted in a Boston girl. The Safeway store reopened after repairs on January 14, 2011.
Reactions
Obama called the shooting an "unspeakable tragedy," adding that "such a senseless and terrible act of violence has no place in a free society." Arizona Governor Jan Brewer said, "My thoughts and prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords and her family, the Congresswoman's staff and their families, as well as the other victims of this senseless and cruel violence." House Speaker John Boehner said, "An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society... This is a sad day for our country." Chief Justice John Roberts issued a statement noting, "we in the judiciary have suffered the terrible loss of one of our own", with the death of Chief Judge John Roll. Public statements were also released by Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ), former Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA), Rep. Gary Miller (R-CA), Rep. David Drier (R-CA), Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Tohono O'odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris, Jr., Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen, former Tucson Mayor Tom Volgy. On January 14, 2011, former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor released a statement.
Many other politicians from Arizona and across the United States spoke publicly regarding the shooting, including Arizona's United States Senators Jon Kyl John McCain, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi; 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin offered "sincere condolences".
International reaction outside the US
Numerous foreigners commented on the shooting. Fidel Castro condemned the shooting, while Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, British and Spanish prime ministers David Cameron, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero offered condolences.
Pennsylvania reaction
Several Pennsylvanian paid their respects to Giffords.
Former Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper said "She was my roommate," "After I lost and was moving out of my apartment, and I was thinking I was probably going to have to stay in a hotel, she offered to let me stay with her because she had two bedrooms. And I ended up living with her for the last three weeks of my serving in Congress. "She was so kind and generous. And honestly, you would not find anyone in Congress who was kinder than Gabby Giffords."
U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, D-McCandless, "We're very close. When you come in together, you bond."
U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, said "Gabby has a great smile and she seemed to wear it all the time," Mr. Doyle said. "I was never in her presence where she wasn't cheerful and upbeat. She seemed to be someone who sees the world in very optimistic terms."
Ohio reaction
In Ohio, several politicians reacted to Gifford's injuries.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio
“Connie & my thoughts & prayers are with Rep. Giffords, her family, her staff, & all who were attacked in this senseless tragedy.”
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland
“I am deeply saddened by the reports of a horrific attack carried out in Arizona today. I pray for those who lost their lives or were injured and their families, for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Judge John Roll, and for our country today. This is a time for all Americans, regardless of their political ideology, to condemn all forms of violence in our society and stand together in solidarity.”
Rep. Bob Latta, R-5th District
“I am deeply troubled by this horrific act of violence against Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, and the other innocent bystanders. Marcia and I want to extend our thoughts and prayers to the Giffords family and the families of all of the victims. Senseless acts such as this have no place in our society.”
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township
“Gabby Giffords is a bright, energetic member of the House and we wish her the best and speediest recovery possible. Because of her husband’s career as an astronaut we have had the chance to work together on NASA issues the last 4 years, and hers has been a strong voice for manned spaceflight. As we wait for the specifics of what caused this madman to create such carnage, aside from our stricken colleague, we mourn the loss of life of at least one person, injuries to scores more and understand that an attack such as this is an attack upon us all.”
Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights
““I am deeply saddened that my colleague, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, members of her staff, her constituents, and federal judge were attacked. This was a deplorable and senseless act of violence. Today, is a very sad day for Arizona and all of America. My prayers go out to her, her family, and to all other victims. I ask everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Over the past two years, Gabby and I served together on the Science and Technology Committee, and lived in the same apartment building in Washington, DC. She is a personal friend and I pray for her recovery.”
Kentucky reaction
Senator McConnell expressed regret.
Illinois reaction
In Illinois, several politicians reacted and issued public statements.
Mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel
"What occurred today in Arizona is a senseless and horrific tragedy. Gabby is a friend, a former colleague, and a respected public servant who was doing what she loved most: meeting her constituents. She will be in Amy and my thoughts and prayers as she fights for her life, as will all of the victims."
Rep. Peter Roskam
"Today's attack against Rep. Giffords, members of her staff, and citizens interacting with their representative in the Tucson area, is horrifying and devastating, and I condemn it in the strongest of terms. Attacks of this kind, in our democratic society, simply cannot stand. My thoughts and prayers are with all those injured and their families in this senseless attack."
Rep. Luis Gutierrez called the shooting "heartbreaking," and praised her highly as a "wonderful" person who "did not deserve this."
Sen. Mark Kirk
"This shooting was a senseless attack on a Congresswoman I know well, Gabby Giffords. She is a fellow alumni of Cornell University, married a Navy astronaut and inherited my Longworth Building House office after I left for the Senate. We worked together on US-China relations as part of the U.S.-China Working Group and she is a thoughtful, effective legislator who I enjoy working with in Congress. We take this attack on the Congresswoman very seriously and will work with Capitol Police federal law enforcement to contemplate security measures which ensure that decisions made by Americans through elections cannot be changed or threatened by violence. I commend the heroes who tackled the gunman and pray for the victims and loved ones suffering as a result of this despicable act."
Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.
"I am deeply, deeply saddened by today's shocking and horrific attack on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, her staff and attendees at her public event. Rep. Giffords is a bright, engaging member of Congress, and has a tremendous future ahead of her. I saw her this past Thursday in the Democratic cloakroom, and she was as pleasant as ever. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers, and hope to see her on Capitol Hill again soon. As President Obama, Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi have said, this kind of violence has no place in our society. Whether we are Democrats or Republicans, we are all Americans first. I encourage everyone to keep all of the victims of today's violence in your thoughts and prayers."
Rep. Mike Quigley
Qigley described Giffords as "very, very nice" and someone who reached out to him when he arrived after a special election. He added "my staff is freaked" but said he will continue to meet with constituents.
New York area reaction
Mayor Bloomberg and others in the New York area responded.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said “I think that millions of people in New York, and in every part of our country and from every corner of the world, are doing the same today. These shootings are just terrible examples, and a terrible reminder, of the gun violence that happens every single day in our country."
New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, said "hateful crime" that is a "tragedy beyond words."
Rep. Edolphus Towns of Brooklyn said "Rep. Giffords is truly a coalition builder, and at the time of this shooting, she was doing what she was elected to do--working on behalf of her consituents," .
Congressman Steven Rothman, said "kind, brilliant, beautiful, charming, intellectually curious, intellectually honest and a powerful presence."
Rep. John Larson will continue to have open sessions with their constituents.
Senator Robert Menendez "this was a vicious and intolerable act that contradicts the values on which our great nation is built."
Sen. Charles Schumer said "Congresswoman Giffords is known throughout Tucson and our nation's capital for her kindness, her considerable intellect, and her zest for life,".
Legislation
On January 11, 2011, Homeland Security Committee chairman Peter T. King announced that he would introduce a bill to ban the carrying of firearms within of certain federal officials. Representative Carolyn McCarthy announced that she would introduce legislation to ban the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines to civilians.
On the night of January 11, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed emergency legislation to prohibit protests within of any funeral services, in response to an announcement by the Westboro Baptist Church that it planned to picket the funeral of shooting victim Christina-Taylor Green.
Memorials
A national moment of silence was held at 11:00 am EST on January 10, 2011, led by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama from a gathering on the South Lawn of the White House. Hundreds of members of Congress and their aides also gathered in observation of silence on the steps of the United States Capitol.
President Obama traveled to Tucson to attend a memorial ceremony on January 12 for the victims of the shooting. Obama met with the families of the deceased victims and visited Giffords at her bedside in the medical center before the ceremony. During the evening event, titled "Together We Thrive: Tucson and America", Obama spoke of Giffords' improving condition, recalled and praised the victims of the attack, and held up Christina-Taylor Green and her interest in civics and leadership as examples for how American politics should function. "I want us to live up to her expectations," stated Obama. "I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it. All of us—we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations."
Speech by President Barack H. Obama II
President of the United States Barack Obama delivered a speech at the Together We Thrive: Tucson and America memorial on January 12, 2011, held in the McKale Center on the University of Arizona campus.
The speech honored the victims of the 2011 Tucson shooting and included themes of healing and national unity. It was watched by 30 million Americans and drew widespread praise from many political circles, many calling it the most important speech of his presidency.
Political climate
The shooting came at a time of an acrimonious political climate. Democrats and Republicans both called for a cooling of political rhetoric as a result of the heated controversy building up before the shooting. On the eve of the shooting, Giffords wrote to a Republican friend, Trey Grayson, Secretary of State of Kentucky saying, "we need to figure out how to tone our rhetoric and partisanship down."
In the wake of the shooting, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik commented, "When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous." He felt that Arizona had unfortunately become "the capital" of this. "We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry," he said. Dupnik later said that he had no evidence yet that the alleged murders were a result of anything particular Loughner may have read or heard, but the investigation was on-going.
Paul Krugman asked, in a New York Times op-ed piece "When you heard the terrible news from Arizona, were you completely surprised? Or were you, at some level, expecting something like this atrocity to happen?" He put himself "in the latter category." In March 2010, shortly after the map's posting and her office's subsequent vandalization, Giffords said: "We're in Sarah Palin's 'targeted' list, but the thing is that the way she has it depicted, we're in the crosshairs of a gun sight over our district. When people do that, they've got to realize that there are consequences to that action." About the political tensions, the Paris newspaper Le Monde said that the attack seemed to confirm "an alarming premonition that has been gaining momentum for a long time: that the verbal and symbolic violence that the most radical right-wing opponents have used in their clash with the Obama administration would at some point lead to tragic physical violence." In the Netherlands, a similar statement was made on national television by historian Maarten van Rossem, as he mentioned that "since two years a strong political polarisation in the United States has led to a poisoned political climate". BBC News also mentioned the gun control issue in the U.S., stating that "America's cable news channels have been flooded with analysts speculating about why but one thing that has scarcely been raised is gun control".
There were renewed calls to tone down political rhetoric in the wake of the shooting, with the sentiment that certain words and phrases may have incited the violence. MSNBC's Keith Olbermann apologized for any of his own words that might have incited violence saying, "Violence, or the threat of violence, has no place in our Democracy, and I apologize for and repudiate any act or any thing in my past that may have even inadvertently encouraged violence." Toby Harnden of The Daily Telegraph, as well as others, disputed the view that the shooting was the result of the Tea Party movement, or anything in connection to Palin. Harnden felt that some of Loughner's stated political positions were more left-wing than right-wing, while most were unclassifiable on the political spectrum.
Palin responded to her critics on January 12 in a video on her Facebook page, rejecting the notion that anyone other than the actual gunman could bear any responsibility for the Tucson shooting and accusing the press of manufacturing a "blood libel" to blame her and the right wing for the attacks. A new round of controversy was sparked by her use of this phrase, and quickly picked up by others on the political right. Jewish groups believed Palin's reference to this historical Jewish slur was inappropriate, particularly when interjected into a discussion on the shooting of Congresswoman Giffords, a Reform Jew. However, Jewish Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, has defended Palin's use of the term, stating that "There is nothing improper and certainly nothing anti-Semitic in Sarah Palin using the term to characterize what she reasonably believes are false accusations that her words or images may have caused a mentally disturbed individual to kill and maim."
Public response
A survey of 1,008 American adults conducted by Vision Critical on January 10-11 found that 51% of respondents believed the shooting is the result of an action by an individual and regarded it as an isolated incident, 31% believed the shooting was the result of the current negative tone of politics in America, and 37% believe events similar to the Arizona shooting will happen in the U.S. over the next few months. A CBS News national telephone poll conducted on January 9-10, 2011, among 673 adults found 57% said the harsh political tone had nothing to do with the shooting, compared to 32% who said it did. The poll found that Democrats were split on the issue, with 49% seeing no connection and 42% seeing one. A Quinnipiac University poll of U.S. voters found that 40% felt the Tucson shooting could not have been prevented and 15% said it was due to overheated political rhetoric. The survey also found that "Liberals rather than conservatives are more responsible for such rhetoric, voters say 36 - 32 percent".<ref name="quinnipiac"/>

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