ABC News and CBS News, as well as the cable news networks, carried President Obama’s statement at 4:45pm on the shootings in Arizona. (NBC is carrying the Seattle Seahawks – New Orleans Saints NFL playoff game.) “Gabby Giffords was a friend of mine,” said Obama of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords who was shot in the head by a man identified as Jared Lee Loughner. Giffords is in critical condition. Five other people at an event Giffords was holding outside a Tucson Safeway store have died.
“It is a tragedy for Arizona, and a tragedy for our entire country. What Americans do at times of tragedy is to come together and support each other. so at this time I ask all Americans to join me and Michelle in keeping all the victims and their families, including Gabby, in our thoughts and prayers.”
“I know Gabby is as tough as they come. And I am hopeful that she’s going to pull through,” said the president.