Yesterday, politicians of all parties came together to support Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords's speedy recovery after she was shot in the head at her "Congress at Your Corner" event in Tuscon. Suspected gunman Jared Lee Loughner is currently in federal custody, and many New York politicians have released statements on the unthinkable event. "This hateful crime is a tragedy beyond words," said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who dined with Giffords less than a week ago. "More than just a rising political star and phenomenal talent, she is an incredible person."
Other New York pols echoed her statements. "I never heard anything bad about her, which is saying a lot in Congress," said Rep. Peter King, and Rep. Charles Rangel described her as "one of the most charming brilliant stars we had among the young people." Congressman Jerrold Nadler hoped that the shooting wouldn't herald an era when politicians couldn't meet with their communities without risk. "A well functioning democracy also requires, I think, that people can talk to their representatives, whether they're in Congress or state legislature or wherever, if they want to and it's important to keep that," he said. "This entails a certain amount of personal risk I suppose, but I would hate to see a situation where you can't meet with your constituents."
Sen. John McCain also denounced the shooter, who also killed a 9-year-old and Federal Judge John Roll (who received death threats after he ruled that a suit accusing an Arizona rancher of assaulting Mexican plaintiffs could go forward). He said, "Whoever did this, whatever their reason, they are a disgrace to Arizona, this country and the human race." Giffords remains in critical condition; one woman in the crowd at her event said, "I hope today will be the last day there will be any kind of violence against elected officials in this country."
