This was the President's chance to fully comment on these events and help Arizona and the country heal together.
Credit: Chicago Sun Times |
He made it a point to note "There is nothing I can say that will fill the sudden hole torn in your hearts," but assured Americans saying, "we will pull through."
Mr. Obama highlighted the lives of each victim of the shooting and what part they played in the tragedy.
He spoke as if he knew each of these people personally, and though he didn't, it was something that connected the President to the tragedy and did justice to each of the victims which have forever been intertwined with American history.
"Our hearts are broken by their sudden passing," said Mr. Obama, but then he gave the crowd a piece of information which would fill their hearts with joy.
Mr. Obama spoke of congresswoman Giffords opening her eyes for the first time and the crowd erupted with applause and cheer. He strongly said, "She knows that we are rooting for her."
The President also commented on the political tone which was swirling around stories related to the Tucson tragedy stating, "It's important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking to each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds."
Credit: MSNBC |
The President then took his speech in the direction of becoming a better America by cherishing those around us. He urged Americans to let the ones we love dearly know our feelings for them, often. Mr. Obama said to the crowd with thunderous applause, "in the fleeting time we have on this earth...what matters is how well we have loved."
Credit: AP |
Mr. Obama's speech continued to put forth his belief that "we are full of decency and goodness," and "the forces that divide us are not as strong as those that divide us."
The President ended by using Christina Taylor-Green's high expectations of politicians like Giffords and the democratic process in general to speak on how America can become a better nation. "I want to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it."
The President urged Americans to "live up to our children's expectations."
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