Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) in critical condition, 6 others killed in Arizona

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All of this is very sad. I wish Congresswoman Giffords the best possible recovery.

We don't know whether or not (or to what degree) the assailant was influenced by right-wing rhetoric. But, in any case, people should realize that hateful words do have a potential to lead to hateful actions.

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Two articles address Giffords' Jewish identification in relation to the shooting.

A Gnawing Worry: Did anti-Semitism factor into the shooting of Congresswoman Giffords?

The Shooting of Gabrielle Giffords

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Yeah, even my Republican friends on FB who were feeling angry and frustrated at the debate this week were praising Obama's speech. Glad to see it hit the right notes.

A turning point in his presidency.

I think I just vomited in my mouth a little.  I gave praise for his speech too, but that doesn't change the fact that he is hurting the country.  It doesn't change our unemployment level and it doesn't change the fact he passed healthcare.  It's sick that you and particularly the guys at the Politico want to trump up this meme that a memorial service can change things for Obama.  It really shows what bad shape you guys are in if he's in desperate need of a massacre to bring his poll numbers up.

I don't think the speech does or will represent a turning point in Obama's presidency; I think, however it pans out, the midterms will be considered a turning point.  But, while it's certainly not the case that a single speech on any occasion gets a president reelected, it does matter whether the country likes the president, and finds him inspiring and/or optimistic.  Right before the 2004 election, according to Gallop, Bush's job approval numbers stood at 44% approval and 46% disapproval, and people were not happy about the economy (though it was hardly as bad as it is now).  Still, Americans personally did not dislike president Bush; they certainly felt more comfortable with him as a person than they did with the stiff-as-a-board Kerry.  I think the concerns of the country with national security, to a lesser extent "moral values", and personal comfort and likability, along with an outstanding Rove GOTV operation, were contributory factors in getting Bush reelected.  In close races, and I take it for granted that 2012 will be a closely contested race, likability matters; it's not decisive by itself by any means, but it matters.  Emotions are important to people walking into a voting booth who are on the fence, and, as Drew Westen wisely points out; "if you don't win the heart first, the mind won't follow."  Uplifting, comforting and hopeful speeches in times of crisis help presidents, no matter what their party.  And they should.

Also, keep in mind that Bush II's unpopularity started its descent when he handled the Katrina situation so insensitively.