First Posted: 1/10/2011
JIM KUHNHENN Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The shooting rampage in Arizona seems to have created a reset moment for confrontational politics, as lawmakers reflect on the repercussions of the overheated rhetoric traded on the airwaves and on the campaign trail.
Members of Congress from both parties called Sunday for civility over belligerence as the House temporarily shelved the contentious debate over repealing the health care law and lawmakers paused to contemplate the tragedy.
Critically wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the apparent target of a lone shooter, emerged as a potent and cautionary symbol of the current political climate. Still, there was no clear motivation for the attack, and some warned against making provocative politicians and commentators the culprits in the assault.
Six died and 14 were wounded in the shooting at a Tucson shopping center where Giffords was holding a gathering with constituents.
President on Sunday called for a national moment of silence to be observed at 11 a.m. today and postponed a scheduled trip Tuesday to Schenectady, N.Y., where he planned to promote his economic policies.
House Speaker John Boehner told lawmakers in a conference call Sunday to "pull together as an institution."
Leaders from both parties worked together Sunday to offer members assurances that they were reviewing security measures.
While Sunday’s calls for unity and civility were bipartisan, the discussion had a partisan subtext as Democrats pointed to anti-government language from the tea party movement and to rabble-rousing imagery and rhetoric from conservative figures such as Sarah Palin.
Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin on Sunday mentioned Palin’s combative rallying cry, “Don’t retreat; reload,” and the crosshairs she used to signal congressional districts where she wanted Republicans to win.
But, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., noted Sunday that the suspect was connected to Internet postings that included Marxist and Nazi literature.