The Right Words at the Right Time

By Neil Rosekrans

It was no easy task for President Obama to deliver one of his most important speeches from the state that has been most at odds with his administration’s policies and leadership.  Over the past year, Arizona has challenged the federal government’s authority over immigration enforcement, environmental regulations and health care mandates.  The President and his administration have filed lawsuits against Arizonans, and Arizonans against the administration.

It was far from certain whether or not this President had the humility necessary to appropriately honor the six victims of the Tucson shooting and to inspire a nation to move forward.

Being able to relate to the common American has been a challenge for President Obama.  His critics, myself included, point out that he is too often aloof and lacks empathy.  Do you wonder why Sarah Palin and George Bush are so popular among conservatives?  It has less to do with IQ and far more to do with relatedness.

Many feared last night’s speech would turn into a campaign rally complete with political point-scoring.  Would the President jump on an opportunity to blame Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh or Fox News for creating a ‘climate of hate’ as Paul Krugman did within hours of the shooting?  Would he fall back on his teleprompter and empty rhetoric?

He did neither.  His speech last night was not to further his agenda on gun control or (mental) health care.  By setting his own agenda aside, we saw a unique moment of sincerity and empathy.  His words painted a touching portrait of each victim.  He elaborated a genuine care for the victims that allowed the listener to see beyond the distraction of the President and reflect on those that abruptly and senselessly lost their lives.

Like most Americans, I don’t attribute Jared Loughner’s violent actions to any coherent political ideology.  The mounting evidence suggests that it was the act of an irrational and mentally unstable individual that may never be completely understood.  And appropriately, President Obama made a few passing remarks that seem to concur.

Regardless, he turned the matter into a moot point for the occasion.  He made an appeal for an America that all Americans can support.  It wasn’t just a liberal vision for America.  It was a vision, as he said, to live up to the expectation that nine-year-old Christina Taylor Green believed in.

Thank you, Mr. President.