Quote of the Day

"Here are a few lines from President Obama's speech that grabbed my attention:

"But what we cannot do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on each other. …And if, as has been discussed in recent days, their death helps usher in more civility in our public discourse, let us remember it is not because a simple lack of civility caused this tragedy -- it did not -- but rather because only a more civil and honest public discourse can help us face up to the challenges of our nation in a way that would make them proud."

When I heard those words, I wondered if I was the only one who thought that Obama had just repudiated his left-wing base. I wish the president had spoken out more forcefully on this matter, but last night Obama told Paul Krugman and Keith Olbermann that they were wrong -- a lack of civility did not cause this tragedy. Unfortunately, as you will read in the next item, there is little evidence that his media and political allies are ready to heed his call for a more "civil and honest public discourse."

I also hope that the president will take his own advice. Last night he said, "at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who happen to think differently than we do, it's important for us to … make sure that we're talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds."

That's good advice. And I hope the candidate who once urged his supporters to argue with neighbors and to "get in their face," who accused some Americans of being "bitter and clinging to their guns and religion" and who said that liberal voters should "punish our enemies" will follow it in the days ahead. Given that Obama remains committed to an agenda of bigger government, higher taxes, abortion-on-demand, the redefinition of marriage and appeasing the Muslim world, I'm not optimistic."

Gary Bauer

Campaign for Working Families