The Week Ahead: Assassination attempt brings Congress to a standstill

Shock, anger and finger-pointing in Washington
On opposite sides of the political spectrum, President Barack Obama and new House Speaker John Boehner suddenly face the same challenge: rise above the anger, suspicion and hostility of their liberal and conservative bases to help a rattled nation deal with the deadly outburst of violence in Arizona. But what comes after the easy moment of silence? For now, both men are stepping past the question of what role, if any, the vitriol of the past election campaign played in Saturday’s shooting ...

Hill aide: 'It could have been any of us'
Capitol Hill returned to work Monday with a sense of grief and vulnerability, as thousands of Staffers — those who truly make things run in Congress — tried to cope with the idea that their own people have become targets. Instead of charging into another week of partisan Rhetoric, they bundled up and gathered on the cold marble steps of the Capitol for a moment of silence. They listened to a prayer of hope from ordained minister and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.). They signed a book...

Senate sergeant-at-arms: Lawmakers carrying guns not a good idea
It's not a good idea for lawmakers to carry guns for personal protection in the wake of Saturday's shooting in Arizona, the Senate's sergeant at arms said Tuesday. Terrance Gainer, the Senate's top Law Enforcement official and the former chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, urged lawmakers to leave their security to professionals following the shooting on Saturday of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.). "I don't think that's a good idea," Gainer said on "Good Morning America" on ABC. "I think we ...

AZ Sheriff Dever: Killer Alone Responsible for Shooting, Frightening To Try To Lay Blame On Anyone Elses Doorstep
Tuesday, January 11, 2011 By Penny Starr Sheriff Larry Dever of Cochise County, Ariz. (Cochise County Sheriff's Department photo) (CNSNews.com) - Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever said he does not understand why his friend and colleague, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, would suggest at a news conference following Saturday's shooting in Tucson that political ideology played a role in the tragedy. At a Press Conference on Saturday, Dupnik said Arizona had become the “mecc

Making Sense Out of the Violence in Tuscon: Reflections From A Migrant
It's not about win or lose Cause we all lose when they feed on the souls of the innocent blood drenched pavement keep on moving though the waters stay raging. Matisyahu - 2009 The reactions I've witnessed to the violence in Tuscon have made me physically sick. Ever since I heard the news on Saturday, I've been glued to twitter, the television, and my computer screen, looking for someone to say something that makes some kind of sense. It seems the only people that have anything worthwhile ...

Boehner: Shootings wont sway GOP agenda
House Speaker John Boehner says that the shooting of an Arizona congresswoman won’t stop representatives in Washington from their duties. In a brief statement Sunday morning, the newly sworn speaker said flags on the House side of the Capitol in Washington will be flown at half staff to honor Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ slain aide, Gabe Zimmerman. Thirty-year-old Zimmerman was among six killed Saturday in a Tucson, Ariz., shooting rampage that left the Democratic congresswoman among 13 ...

Obama, Boehner face leadership test after shooting (AP)
WASHINGTON – On opposite sides of the political spectrum, President Barack Obama and new House Speaker John Boehner suddenly face the same challenge: rise above the anger, suspicion and hostility of their liberal and conservative bases to help a rattled nation deal with the deadly outburst of violence in Arizona. But what comes after the easy moment of silence? For now, both men are stepping past the question of what role, if any, the vitriol of the past election campaign played in Satur...

After attack, a leadership test for Obama, Boehner
(01-10) 19:30 PST WASHINGTON, CA (AP) -- On opposite sides of the political spectrum, President Barack Obama and new House Speaker John Boehner suddenly face the same challenge: rise above the anger, suspicion and hostility of their liberal and conservative bases to help a rattled nation deal with the deadly outburst of violence in Arizona. But what comes after the easy moment of silence? For now, both men are stepping past the question of what role, if any, the vitriol of the past election ca...

Boehner Passes First Test as Speaker in Handling of Arizona Tragedy
As news of the horrific shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords spread over the weekend, Speaker of the House John Boehner rose to the occasion, seeking to calm nerves and reassure members of Congress and their families. Aside from being the first major test handed to the newly elected speaker, Boehner's handling of the situation may have been especially important considering the target of this Assassination was a Democratic congresswoman. And while past Republican leaders would have surely express...

Most from Mass. refuse more security
WASHINGTON — The “Congress on Your Corner’’ meeting for Representative Niki Tsongas and about 40 constituents was just beginning at the Chelmsford Library Saturday when the horrific news came. Her good friend and colleague Gabrielle Giffords had just been shot at an event of the same type in Tucson. “We asked if [an officer] could come and stay with us, because you just don’t know,’’ said Tsongas, who normally doesn’t arrange for police at h...

Surgeons say Giffords showing positive signs
TUCSON, Ariz. — Doctors treating wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords provided an optimistic update Sunday about her chances for survival, saying they are "very, very encouraged" by her ability to respond to simple commands along with their success in controlling her bleeding. The FBI said Law Enforcement could bring charges against the gunman as early as Sunday, and House Speaker John Boehner said normal House business this week has been postponed in the aftermath of the shooting. Surgeons s...

Rep. Giffords on so-called hit list of Dems 'targeted' by Sarah Palin
© unknown Telling voters to 'reload' and 'aim for' Democrats was perfectly fine, Sen. McCain argued in March Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), who was shot Saturday during a public event in Tucson, was among 20 other members of Congress who were on a so-called Hit List published by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Palin, who has never publicly advocated violence against fellow US politicians, has often employed rhetorical attacks that leverage imagery and terminology familiar to gun ow...

Democrats move to limit guns, threatening language in shooting's wake
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., plans to introduce a bill that would ban high-capacity ammunition clips. Reacting to the assasination attempt on one of their own, two House members on Monday said they will introduce Legislation that would ban certain amunition clips and make it illegal to threaten a federal official, both of which they say contributed to the mass casualties in a shooting rampage in Tuscson over the weekend. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., plans to introduce a bill that would ban h...

Poll: Most Feel Rhetoric, Shooting Unrelated
Nearly six in 10 Americans say the country's heated political Rhetoric is not to blame for the Tucson shooting rampage that left six dead and critically wounded U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, according to a CBS News poll. In the wake of the shooting, much focus has been put on the harsh tone of politics in Washington and around the country, particularly after a contentious Midterm Election. Rhetoric and imagery from both Republicans and Democrats have included gun-related metaphors, but the major...

Barry's Angry Words
Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, overseeing the investigation the Tucson shootings that left Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in a coma and Federal Judge John Roll and five others dead, wasted little time in blaming heated political Rhetoric for the crime. Shortly after the first reports of the shootings, Dupnick said, "The anger, the hatred, the Bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous, and unfortunately Arizona has become sort of the capital," adding "We have become...

Late Night Political Humor
“John Boehner chose a huge gavel. I think somebody’s compensating for his small government.” - Stephen Colbert “How about the new Speaker of the House, John Boehner. Have you seen this guy’s enormous gavel. I’m telling you, if in four hours, that gavel is still that size, he’s got to call a doctor.” - David Letterman “In his first Speech as Speaker, Boehner thanked his loved ones - tobacco Lobbyists, the oil companies, the C...

After shootings, Obama must find not only right words but right time to say them
In the aftermath of the Arizona shootings, President Obama canceled his travel plans and called for a national moment of silence, which he and first lady Michelle Obama will observe on the South Lawn at 11 a.m. Monday. This Story Giffords shooting unlikely to sway Public Opinion about Gun Control West Wing Briefing: After shootings, Obama must find not only right words but right time to say them Special Report: The Tucson shooting rampage Doctor: Gabrielle Giffords 'holding her own' after sho...

Tragedy in Arizona
Gabrielle Giffords was doing what members of Congress do every week: She was home in Tucson to meet with her constituents. Today, Giffords lies in critical condition in a Tucson Hospital after one of those constituents opened fire with a semiautomatic Handgun. Six people died in the attack; 14 were injured. The madness at the Tucson shopping center Saturday morning raises old and troubling questions about gun violence in America and threatens a treasured American tradition: the right of the pe...

Insanity defense harder now than for Hinckley
WASHINGTON—In an earlier time, the deeply troubled past of Jared Loughner might have led his lawyers to mount an insanity defense. But that would be harder now, because Congress raised the bar for that claim after a jury found John Hinckley innocent by reason of insanity for shooting President Ronald Reagan. And the federal system is not alone in posing high hurdles to insanity defenses. State officials plan to charge Loughner as well, and Arizona law does not allow a verdict of not guilt...

Early Morning Swim: Sherrod Brown and Rachel Maddow Discuss Violence in Our Politics
Meanwhile, God bless Sheriff Dupnik. The Arizona sheriff investigating the Tucson shooting that left U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords critically wounded had harsh words today for those engaging in political Rhetoric, calling conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh “irresponsible” for continuing the vitriol. “The kind of rhetoric that flows from people like Rush Limbaugh, in my judgment he is irresponsible, uses partial information, sometimes wrong information,” Pima County Sh...

Wikileaks chief: Charge Palin, Huckabee with incitements to kill
Stumble This! The editor-in-chief of Wikileaks called on US authorities to seek charges against high-profile Republicans Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee for "incitements to kill" by the use of "violent Rhetoric" against the anti- secrecy outlet. Julian Assange's plea came in a Press Release Tuesday night in the aftermath of the Tucson Murders Saturday that left 6 dead and 14 others wounded, the Victims of which included Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and Federal Judge John Roll. "No organisation anywher...

Poll: Despite Left's Lust to Pin Blame on Right, Only 32% Believe AZ Shootings Were Politically Motivated
After a 48-hour orgy of venom and hatred directed at the right in the wake of the massacre in Arizona Saturday, a CBS poll reveals only 32% of Americans actually believe the ludicrous accusations. This suggests a couple of possibilities: Either the next poll will show 100 of Americans accept the truth or the media and kook left will double down with the wild conjecture. Sadly, I think it's too late for these people to regain any credibility, so I learn toward the latter.Nearly six in 10 American...

First Reading: Caucus vote gives Republicans cover
Caucus vote gives members more room to back Straus, Paxton says he’ll take fight to the floor and Perry says it’s not raining. (Happy Birthday to Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Tom Pauken and Rep. Ralph Sheffield.) The 82nd Legislature is here. Everyone, do The Carlton! So here’s where we are on the whole thing about the Speaker of the House: Joe Straus is going to be the Speaker of the House. House Republicans solidly lined up behind the speaker in a closed-door Caucus vo...

Owens not overly worried about safety
WASHINGTON — Rep. William L. Owens said he is no more concerned for his own safety after the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., but he joined those who have called for caution in public discourse. "To be honest, it's not something I give a lot of thought to," Mr. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, said of the risk politicians can face at public appearances. The nature of a lawmaker's job is to do and say things in a public way that tens of thousands of constituents either agree wit...

Perry says cuts are likely to be 'across the board'
Perry says cuts are likely to be 'across the board' 12:00 AM CST on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 By CHRISTY HOPPE / The Dallas Morning News [email protected] Austin - Gov. Rick Perry dismissed the gloom-and-doom predictions of crippling Budget cuts and said Monday that the state can survive its huge shortfall without new taxes. Gov. Rick Perry said he believes the state can weather its Budget shortfall without imposing new taxes. "> VERNON BRYANT/DMN Gov. Rick Perry said he believes...