In the ultimate politicization of a tragedy, Democrats are publicly (and anonymously) criticizing Speaker John Boehner for not attending the nationally televised Obama pep rally last night. I guess the Dems needed someone to start the wave or keep the beach ball in the air.
But for them it’s not about the victims, it’s that Boehner didn’t harumph for Obama.
The Daily Caller reports:
Democrats on Wednesday criticized House Speaker John Boehner for missing a memorial service in Arizona for the victims of Saturday’s shooting in Tucson, as partisan sniping continued around the edges of the attack and its aftermath.
Boehner declined an invitation from President Obama to fly on Air Force One to Arizona for the memorial. Aides said he did so to attend a prayer service in Washington in remembrance of the six killed and 14 wounded. Among the wounded was Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, an Arizona Democrat who survived a point blank shot to the head.
The prayer service Boehner attended began at 1 p.m. on Wednesday and lasted for one hour. Obama departed Andrews Air Force base in Maryland a few minutes after 1 p.m.
But Democrats said Boehner could have attended the rally in Tucson if he had wanted to.
But on the other hand, couldn’t Obama have attended the prayer service in Washington? Oh wait, maybe there weren’t enough cameras there. And it wasn’t in prime time. Never mind.
January 13, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Actually, I am feeling sad that all sides of this issue are making it an issue. The preliminaries to the service was less about the tragedy than a question of how the President would do. The aftermath has not been about the healing, but a critique of the performance…and the same old same old taking sides and potshots. I fear for our country that we can't help but constantly look into the mirror to see how we look as we act out what we are supposed to be doing rather than just do what needs doing.
January 13, 2011 at 6:13 pm
What's up with the completely immodest objectified video? Dontcha think that is just a little inappropriate?
January 13, 2011 at 6:16 pm
I posted a comment but it disappeared, perhaps because it was anonymous? But I'll say it again. Is that video image necessary?? I am appalled to find such immodesty and objectification on this Catholic blog. I have read your blog enough to know you are intelligent enough to make your point without that image. It is beneath you.
January 13, 2011 at 6:33 pm
The video makes your point in an excellent manner. As for Speaker Boehner not attending the "media event" that was held in Tucson, maybe he doesn't do circus.
January 13, 2011 at 6:54 pm
Gosh… that prayer meeting kinda focused on God and not on The One. I guess that would render it boring. Not enough Useless Idiots in attendence.
January 14, 2011 at 7:22 pm
Prayer changes things.
Circus performances by heads of state muddy the waters.
More and more it seems history is repeating itself with entertainment the numero uno in life.
January 15, 2011 at 5:17 pm
I admire the fact that Boehner went to the non-prime time service. Maybe he wanted some solemnity and sobriety 🙂