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Subscribe to RSSPresident Obama's speech about the shooting at an Aurora, Colo., movie theater at a campaign rally was "awkward," says NBC political director Chuck Todd. Both leading presidential contenders are suspending advertising in the state.
Updated 12:53 p.m. - The shooting of moviegoers in Colorado “reminds us all of the ways that we are united as one American family,” President Barack Obama said Friday in remarks mourning the victims of the overnight massacre.
Speaking in Florida, where he cut short a campaign trip, the president led a crowd in a moment of silence and called for Americans to reflect on what he called a senseless act of violence.
“Even as we learn how this happened and who's responsible, we may never understand what leads anybody to terrorize their fellow human beings like this,” Obama said. “If there's anything to take away from this tragedy it's the reminder that life is very fragile. Our time here is limited and precious.”
Mitt Romney, speaking early Friday afternoon in New Hampshire, said: "Our hearts break with the sadness of this unspeakable tragedy. Ann and I join the president and first lady -- and all Americans -- in offering our deepest condolences to those whose lives were shattered in a few moments of evil in Colorado."
The presidential campaign was essentially put on hold after a gunman waged an assault on viewers of a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora, east of Denver.
Speaking at a planned campaign rally in Bow, New Hampshire GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney set aside politics and spoke of the mass shooting in Colorardo.
Slideshow: Shooting at Batman screening in Aurora, Colo.
Obama canceled a planned campaign stop for later Friday in Florida to return to the White House; Vice President Joe Biden and first lady Michelle Obama also canceled political events set for Friday afternoon. The Romney campaign canceled a planned series of radio interviews this afternoon.
“I am so moved by your support, but there are going to be other days for politics. This, I think, is a day for prayer and reflection,” the president told supporters.
Additionally, the both the Romney and Obama campaigns put a hold on airing political ads on television on Colorado for at least the weekend.
"I stand before you today not as a man running for office, but as a father and grandfather, a husband and an American," Romney said, also striking an apolitical tone in his statement. "This is a time for each of us to look into our hearts and remember how much we love one another and how much we love and how much we care for our great country."
Details from the shooting were still emerging as of late Friday morning, but White House press secretary Jay Carney said that the president was first notified of the shooting at 5:26 a.m. ET by John Brennan, his homeland security adviser. Obama called the mayor of Aurora later in the morning, and received a follow-up briefing from Brennan, White House chief of staff Jack Lew, and FBI Director Robert Mueller.
"The president orders that his administration do everything that it can to support the people of Aurora in this extraordinarily difficult time,” Carney said in a gaggle aboard Air Force One.
Mandel Ngan / AFP - Getty Images
President Barack Obama steps off Air Force One upon arrival at Southwest Florida International Airport July 20, 2012 in Fort Myers, Florida.
Most political reaction revolved around expressing sympathies for the victims of the shooting.
"I am stunned and furious at the news of the shooting at the Aurora Century 16 Movie theatre this morning,” said Democratic Colorado Rep. Ed Perlmutter, whose district includes the site of the crime. “Colorado is not a violent place, but we have some violent people. We are a strong and resilient community, and we will lean on each other in the days, weeks and months to come.”
Few elected officials touched on the impact of the Colorado shootings on the long-simmering debate about gun control laws.
"I would say as you know the president believes we need to take common sense measures that protect the Second Amendment rights of Americans while ensuring that those who should not have guns under existing laws do not get them," Carney said when asked about the impact of the shooting on the gun debate. "We're making progress in that regard in terms of improving the volume and quality of information on background checks, but I have nothing additional on that for you. This is obviously a recent event."
One of the few exceptions to that came from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a longtime advocate for stricter gun laws.
At a planned campaign event in Fort Myers, Fla. President Barack Obama steers away from politics and leads the nation in a moment of silence for the victims of the mass shooting in Colorado.
"You know, soothing words are nice, but maybe it's time that the two people who want to be president of the United States stand up and tell us what they are going to do about it, because this is obviously a problem across the country," Bloomberg said on WOR Radio in New York. "No matter where you stand on the Second Amendment, no matter where you stand on guns, we have a right to hear from both of them concretely, not just in generalities -- specifically, what are they going to do about guns?"
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Face it, everyone from whatever side gets on these things to have fun slinin' mud and stuff. 71 wounded and 12 dead now. Bodies still in the theatre. I can't even toss my doggy its toy to play with.
A Libtards ignore is from where his ignorance is derived.
Our President being President to all Americans.
Back to holding romney to his sad record on another day.
He is no President to the 259 young black males in body bags killed so far this year, 18 this month alone, from his own Precinct on Chicago's south side when he was a community organizer there??
Where their press conference? Where their moment of silence?
ARE THEIR LIVES WORTH ANY LESS MR. PRESIDENT!
had to go there huh???
How do you not go there?
If I was a Chicagoan I'd be livid over their lack of respect!
he ain't my president......excellent point pissed off!!!.......
That's a first. . .
Obama cares about Obama....sounds like he needed a vacation day.
He is more interested in his golf bags, than the body bags rolling in from his old prrecinct, how does that guy sleep at night.
Those people have no hope and no jobs. Obama has not met with the Jobs counsel months, but has time for 100 fund raisers and 10 golfing trips.
WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE
yawn..............
Chuck Todd and MSNBC. An assessment that the President's statement was, in your opinion, awkward? today? On this day? are you serious? and if you are, can somebody investigate and produce a 3 part series on NBC "When the Media Became The Story: an expose of the organized abuse of the only specific private job protected by the Constitution." Heres a "Breaking News" for you: Only the self absorbed care substantively about that opinion, so, hopefully, the target for selling your commercial space today are the self absorbed, because I think you tossed a ringer. Also, from one person in the public that has enumerated power to those governing, and protects our related interest in the Constitution: Do Your Job. You are important not because of you, but because of us. You feel lightheaded by that newsflash, don't you.
Bloomberg is pathetic. Never miss an opportunity to further your agenda seems to be his motto. As tragic as this crime was it was not the gun that killed and wounded people. It was the person operating the gun. Any attempt to outlaw guns will never pass the muster with Americans. We have the right to bear arms and bear arms we shall. If this nut-cake had not shot them he would have probably set them all on fire. It is not the weapon it is the intent to act.
Larry--agreed--my first reaction when I heard this story was that it was too bad NO one in that theater was Carrying.
Might not have totally stopped this freak, but it sure would have slowed him down.
I never realized there were so many ignorant people in the United States. This discussion, at this point isn't even on the subject it was started for. It isn't about gun control. It isn't about politics, gangs, drugs or any of these things. It is about a tragedy. An act of insanity that cost lives of people who just wanted to go see a movie. Please. Neil
If you read the article to the end you will notice that Mayor Bloomberg called for something to be done about guns. Chuck Todd must have thought that important to include it in the article. Since this discussion board is suppose to follow the article it makes perfect since to discuss that point as much as any other.
damn, I thought fast and furious was going to end gun ownership!
What about the Chicago dead and wounded each weekend....how is that equal or not worse than this act? Seems odd to me that nobody care what is happening in Chicago....especialy when the Prez is from there.....just seems odd.
He feels he owns Chicago lock, stock, and barrel. He does not feel that way about Colorado. He must attempt to show the swing state some compassion in order to garner there votes.
Larry--I believe that Obama DOES feel like he 'owns' the vote of all the blacks, and sadly, polls show he is right.
As the song says "what have you done for me lately?" (Janet Jackson? I forget)
It doesn't MATTER that nothing Obama has done has improved the plight of young blacks, they will follow along like sheep.
IF they bother to vote.
Chuck "Obama Boy" Todd fired this bulletin out to take advantage of the shooting in Colorado to attempt to show that Obama feels your pain. Obama could care less about anyone but himself. e has said things like he can't sleep at night because of the high unemployment rate or how miserable the economy is doing. Sure you do Barry sure you do.
Romney 2012
Romney 2012.
It all seems like a politically motivated stategy any Chicago politition would use!
At least he is transparent about this.
send obama packing...
Ozzie boy--and OBAMA has not done the exact same thing? He campaigned on protecting a woman's right to choose, but nominated yet another CATHOLIC to the Supremes as his first choice (does NO ONE else wonder why Ruth Bader Ginsberg has NOT chosen to step down now while there is a guarantee that Obama will appoint her successor? I mean, in her 90's, frail, Cancer surviver, the odds of her living through even a 4 year pub term at POTUS are slim. Could it BE because as a liberal, she is not convinced that he will appoint a true liberal to replace her?) He also undercut that by one of his many 'executive orders' denying women the right to access to birth control under Obama care.
He campaigned on gay rights, and then dragged his feet on 'don't ask, don't tell, and then 'morphed' from 'marriage is between a man and a woman' to
"I've evolved'' and believe that gays should have the right to get marriedl'
(PS, note, no executive order, NO orders to Holder to not enforce gay marriage bans like he has ordered him to ignore so many other pesky laws.)
BOTH candidates will say anything to a specific audience to get their vote.
So given that similarity, I, as a former Obama voter, chose to cast my vote this time for the Hypocrite who at least has SOME business experience.
Because it is STILL the economy.
Unfortunately we live in an country were unstable people still are able to by two Glocks, a shotgun and an assult rifle. Anyone who still believes that tighter gun control isnt needed, only need turn on the news this morning.
Med--and they STILL could even if we outlawed guns.
Get it? The CRIMINALS will always be able to get guns. Gun control will merely take away the ability of the others to defend themselves.
And BTW--MORE legislation in the name of tighter gun control is NOT what is needed--what is NEEDED is for our government to ENFORCE the laws that are already on the books.
NOT an action that is on Obama's agenda, seemingly. Since he keeps handing out executive orders telling justice to NOT do so.
political debate, whether it be the politicians or bloggers can and should always stand down in times of tragedy like the one in Colorado
I have no stomach for blog anger and insults on days like this
I appreciate those on both sides of our dividing ideologies who share this sentiment today; And I have no tolerance for those who don't- especially those who claim to be conservative like myself. A true conservative would not engage in insensitive and immature insults on a day like this.
I encourage everyone to see if they can find a little self discipline today and respect the families who lost loved ones by cancelling our vitriol for one day. We always have another day to argue and demean each other over politics
well said...i love to debate ect....but i can wait till monday..its time we all give it a rest..
hearts out to colorado
The body bags continue to roll in from Chicago south side.
If thi President will not recognize the bloodshed and do something, Romney should.
Mitt should go there, show support, and bring light to the blood shed that the liberal media and even the President has sweeped under the table.
Forget Syria, Chicago is becoming far worse!
Then you have Detroit.
detroit ruined by liberals....chicago ruined by liberals.......california ruined by liberals.....our country is getting really ugly....
black on black crime earns no dime.....
Colorado is pretty darned liberal, too. But enough until Monday.
We need to spend our weekend praying for the comfort of the families of the dead and wounded.
No praying for the poor souls who will be killed in Chicago this weekend?
Death and terror awaits them, and you will not pray for them as well??
See their pain??
this is a HOAX Watch?v=_Z9GdhDcM4Q
DIDNT take long to go back to mud slinging...
seems like many people are on the edge, lousy economy, gloomy future, no money, no good news ever....I think a lot of people have lost hope...many people expected change.
a promise of hope and change from obama is like all his other promises......meaningless and designed to pander for votes...
Terror in Obama's own Back Yard!
Where is the Press conference?
BLACK MALES ARE DYING!
Obama's old precinct where he was a community oranizer on Chicago's South side is worse than Syria!
Even as violent crime has decreased in cities such as New York and Los Angeles, the murder rate soared here by 38 per cent in the first six months of the year. There were 259 murders in that period, with another 18 so far in July.
"This is a block-to-block war here, a different dynasty on every street," said a dreadlocked young man heavily inked in gang tattoos who calls himself "Killer".
"All the black brothers just want to get rich, but we got no jobs and no hope. We want the violence to stop but you ain't safe if you ain't got your pistol with you. Too many friends, too many men are being killed. We don't even cry at funerals no -more. Nobody expects to live past 21 here."
More Americans are killed in Chicago than KANDAHAR!
he does not care, the Obama's see themselves above those people.....when will they see that The Emporer Has no Bros???????
Bloomberg, give it a rest for a day or two. There will be a time and place for that. The victims, families, friends and community need our condolences and support right now.
I do not know if the shooter was a Democrat or a Republican. I do not know if he was conservative or liberal. San Diego is not a particularly liberal city, so I don't believe his city of origin gives us any clues as to his political persuasion. His own mother was aware of his propensity for violence, which indicates to me that he has been unstable for awhile. It is not his voter registration that is accountable for his violence, it is his mental instability. It is also the fact that we have not yet found a way to put violent crazies away before they commit mass murder. Perhaps, as a memorial to these people who have been killed and injured, we should improve our methods for dealing with mental illness, recognize that some people who are mentally ill really do need hospitalization and treatment, whether they want it or not.
But this is not the time for political diatribe or hate speech. It is a time for saying thanks that our loved ones are safe, that this particular crazy is now behind bars. It is a time for reflection and an offering of support and sympathy for those affected by the killing. Are we so caught up in our own hatred that we cannot pause for even 24 hours out of respect for those who have been harmed?
To those responding to the hate speech . . . please don't. Put the haters on ignore and don't debate with them today. They are distracting you from the compassion you should be showing. If you don't respond to them in any way, it will be a better indicator of your own good heart.
do you have compassion for the many dead and wounded of Chicago?
Btown,
In Chicago it's gang bangers killing gang bangers. To me that's a good start!
Good thing this will give BO some needed time for fund raising or golf.
Obama is such a fake, all the soldiers getting killed and he is directly repsonsible. We knew he would make this about him in some way. What has Obama done to tame down the violence from Hollywood?
Get this, Over 1300 of our boys have been killed in Afghanistan in less than four years with Obama as President. How many under Bush in eight years? 624.
Yet, we hear nothing but crickets from the liberal media and Obama, another one swept under the table just so he can retain the white house at all costs.
More evidence that this presidents priorities are all screwed up:
Priority one - Mourning
Priority two - Politics/campaigning
Priority three - Spending other peoples money to pander to voters
Priority four - not sure
At what point does George Bush or George Zimmerman get blamed for this?
the truth is as soon as a person claims to be Humble, they become the opposite, and Obama coming from a political background uses every event and every tragedy as a way of campaigning and acting as if he has done magnificent and the GOP have hurt America, and some loyal supporters do not notice that he is in charge everything that is occurring is his legacy, these people and America deserve better, I have noticed Romney has stayed silent and that I think is good character,
Been watching this off and on. It is just terrible. I watched three friends lie there after they were blown apart without warning, fight, anything. Life was just there, and then it was over and everyone had to live past the sadness. For this there seems to be absolutely no reason to offer some help in rationaizing everything. No accident, drunk driver, act of nature, mad terrorist... nothing. Just a crazy person acting for no reason. The families I cannot imagine as they try to understand this. A man was waiting for his wife to have emergency surgery to save her life. After several hours he asked someone where he could have a smoke. She told him smoking was bad for his health and he should quit. Then she told him there was no smoking at the hospital, outside the hospital, on the public streets and sidewalks outside the hospital or around any of the buildings sourrounding the hospital as per hospital policy. She then handed him a quit smoking pamphlet as she was instructed to do. Have no idea what that means, but I think there is a time and a place for everything. If I hear either one of these two candidate yahoos, or their front people trying to align this tragedy with their campaign, or saying that they will put a stop to it if elected... I am voting for the other guy whoever he is. If they both do it, I am voting for Carlos Santana and Snoopy for V.P. Why? Santana plays a mean little electric guitar that would be nice to listen to for 4 years, and Snoopy doesn't talk at all.... just hangs out with a cute little harmless yellow birdie.
WELL SAID..NO politics for me till monday