| binary solo said: Nothing like a tragedy to give a politician an opportunity to look statesmanly. Not saying that Obama used Giffords' shooting for cynical political purposes, what he did was totally appropriate and right, and I'm sure Obama was sincere about what he said. But there's no doubt in my mind that Obama and his circle of advisors and speechwriters knew this was an opportunity to make up some lost ground with the electorate. The good he's done himself personally from this will be short lived though. People will get back to their own personal and social problems soon, and unless they see positive action and movement in the right direction things will slide back again. |
The rebound began before the shooting, and polls in the immediate aftermath show little to no change from before. This is probably more attributable to voter anger dissipating in the wake of the elections and Obama giving his base something to cheer for with the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
