OBAMA'S TURN – AT 8:43 A.M. ET:  Now that Sarah Palin has spoken, it is Obama's turn.  He speaks in Arizona tonight, and we wonder whether he will rise to the occasion, or take the advice of some petty members of his party to use Arizona as a means of gaining political advantage.

We hope the president speaks responsibly.  We hope he doesn't engage in the cynical opportunism displayed by Bill Clinton after Oklahoma City, when he tried to blame talk radio for the tragedy.  True, Clinton's approval ratings shot up, but eventually the charge did not stick, and is no ornament to Clinton's checkered record. 

Can Obama rise?  Can he become larger than himself?  At times he has failed, not understanding the majesty of his office, and its singular place as a "bully pulpit."

The president must condemn the act, express compassion, and then warn against reckless attempts to assess blame.  If he wishes to speak out about angry words in politics, he must condemn both sides equally.  If he wishes to make proposals, they must be well thought out, not knee-jerk reactions.  There are serious issues he can touch on – such as why the alleged shooter's mental condition, and the many complaints against him, did not warrant an intervention by authorities; or why the defendant's mental history was not in the federal database, which would have prevented him from buying a gun.

Your turn, Mr. Obama.  To paraphrase that famous line from "42nd Street," you can go out there a president, and come back a star.  Or you can come back a jerk.

January 12, 2011