The Leader We Need

Tonight President Obama addressed the nation via the memorial service in Tucson. His words speak for themselves, but consider this passage...

The loss of these wonderful people should make every one of us strive to be better in our private lives – to be better friends and neighbors, co-workers and parents.  And if, as has been discussed in recent days, their deaths help usher in more civility in our public discourse, let’s remember that it is not because a simple lack of civility caused this tragedy, but rather because only a more civil and honest public discourse can help us face up to our challenges as a nation, in a way that would make them proud.

Many of us have criticized the President in months past for a lack of fire in his pursuit of policy goals. While trying to navigate the highly partisan divide in Washington, the President's cool seems like detachment from the struggles of working families. Today we see how valuable his calm can be in helping us through the most painful moment possible. I hope this moment leads to "a more honest and civil discourse" and his leadership continues to soar.