The demeanor of the republicans at the field this morning

[madaboutharry]

Understandably, they are shaken. I have now seen several on tv this morning; Barton, Flake, and a couple of others. They look on the verge of tears and very unnerved.

They have my empathy.

That said, these same men support the NRA radical line on guns and have never spoken out on the horrors of gun violence that ravage our nation.

Now they have been the targets of an obviously unstable individual with a military grade weapon.

Certainly no one ever should have that experience, but perhaps just one of them may emerge from this event with a new perspective. The way Jim Brady and his wife did after suffering the devastating aftermath of a gun injury.

Watching them in a state of overwhelm, having experienced real fear for their lives, one can hope that someone might have an epiphany.

[cilla4progress]

1. Maybe bring some unity, as well.

One can hope....

[pangaia]

23. Surely you jest.. LOL

[TNLib]

2. I really hope this tragedy turns some of them around on this issue.

If this doesn't nothing will.

[BannonsLiver]

4. As long as the NRA passes out free money it will never happen

These people have no convictions other than the almighty dollar and fucking over the middle class and poor every chance they get.

[Tanuki]

8. A bit off-topic, but the NRA's connection with the GOP on one hand

and Russia on the other is disquieting to say the least.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/thinkprogress.org/amp/p/18f607d40240

[deurbano]

21. Yikes! I had never heard about the NRA's Russian connection. Seems like there has been

a LOT going on behind the scenes. (And Sheriff Clarke in the mix?!)

<<...Butina’s interests appear to go beyond just guns. She frequently writes about her opposition to economic sanctions by the west, including those on Russian arms. In a 2015 article for The National Interest, she wrote, “It may take the election of a Republican to the White House in 2016 to improve relations between the Russian Federation and the United States.”

Not long after Butina’s 2014 visit, the NRA put out a little-noticed statement criticizing the Obama administration’s sanctions against Russia. Noting that the crackdown included Russia’s arms manufacturer, they wrote: “While the United States government blames the Ukrainian conflict for this latest move, gun control advocates will no doubt applaud the ban on importation of some of the very types of firearms at the center of recent domestic attempts to ban so-called ‘assault weapons.’” Weeks later, The Right to Bear Arms announced it would soon host another NRA representative in Moscow, “life member” Paul Erickson, for an “open meeting.”....


Josh Horwitz, executive director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, told ThinkProgress that U.S.-Russian economic ties, rather than gun rights, could be the real aim of The Right to Bear Arms. “I think the important thing is all those involved with this are close with Putin. If Putin wanted more guns in Russia, he doesn’t need to develop an NRA in Russia to push him,” he observed.

“What are the NRA officials doing cavorting around with people close to Putin? The NRA says they’re the nation’s oldest civil rights group. I could see them being in line with dissidents in Russia, who are out of power, discriminated against, and subjugated by the Russian government,” he continued. “But the idea that the NRA is running around with someone who is basically a dictator — the question is why. The people he’s running around with are all about removing sanctions on drilling and other things. I think this is more about getting out to the American Right the views about lifting the sanctions than anything about gun rights.”

Josh Sugarmann, executive director of the Violence Policy Center, added that the sanctions could be of key interest to the NRA’s financial backers as well. “The NRA is a gun industry trade association masquerading as a shooting sports foundation,” he observed. “The organization has received tens of millions of dollars in gun industry financial support from around the globe and has partnered with gunmakers on a wide range of marketing efforts. The NRA’s reasoning in working to establish a Russian beachhead could range from working to end Obama Administration sanctions that ban the import of Russian-made AK-47s and assault shotguns to hoping for new financial donors as the result of a loosening of the country’s gun laws.”>>

[awesomerwb1]

7. Hate to be cynical about this....

but a lot of gun nuts will probably say the incident wouldn't have happened if we didn't have 'so many' gun regulations to stop these acts (yeah, the teen walking his dog could've stopped the gun man if only he'd be allowed to carry a gun).

It's a tragedy. So sad they have polarized our country so much.

[murielm99]

31. We said that about Sandy Hook.

Instead, we have the Megyn Kelly controversy.

[BannonsLiver]

3. Glad no one was killed

But if they spend the rest of their lives having flashbacks and nightmares of this incident it is of no consequence to me. They have enabled a lot worse in this country for years.

[cilla4progress]

5. Kudos to Paul Ryan who at least

is mentioning Dems coming together in prayer for these attacked Repubs this morning. He is preaching a sermon of unity. Whether he believes it, and what it took to get here, and where it goes from here, I obviously can't speak to.

Now Pelosi...

[OnDoutside]

10. Not being bad about it, but probably because it's one of his, who got shot.

[Va Lefty]

6. This was a horrendous act, but no more so than any shooting

These people have taken "blood money" from the NRA for years. Now they are shocked? Welcome to the USA

[lunamagica]

28. Right. But this time, it affected THEM

[mercuryblues]

9. If shooting

Gabbi Giffords in the head, 20+ kindergarteners, the pulse nightclub didn't do it, this won't either. They get the only solution to gun violence they have ever offered...prayers.

[cilla4progress]

13. I know...

obviously thought about them, also.

But some people need to have it hit close to home, in order to WAKE UP (as we've mentioned here with many issues...).

[hatrack]

11. Thoughts and prayers thoughts and prayers thoughts and prayers thoughts and prayers thoughts and pra

That's all they've ever been able to provide for any of the thousands killed and wounded in modern America's blood-spattered and unending history of mass gun killings.

Oh, but now it's impacting THEM. That's different.

[Ilsa]

38. Not really, not even to them.

Rand Paul had no words to say about availability of military grade weapons by a hatefilled man. I think they accept that there are going to be casualties.

[CrispyQ]

12. I hope their thoughts are of Gabrielle Giffords.

And since they are all such pious men, perhaps they would also reflect on the old saying, "There but for the grace of God, go I."

Instead, they will get a fat check from the NRA & it will be same old, same old. Money in politics will destroy us.

[Squinch]

14. The first quote I heard from one of them was to the effect that he wished he had a gun with him.

[barbtries]

15. one can hope

i won't be holding my breath however.

[elmac]

16. They were probably more shaken up for their kids

who were in harms way. The Party of the 2nd amendment remedy just got a rude awakening, something parents in cities like Chicago deal with every day

[Stargazer99]

17. It seems like only when one of their own is harmed

then it becomes important

[yellerpup]

18. I hope the fear somehow translates into

an openness to reconsider their health care bill. What would happen, for instance, if it had been John Q. Public shot at softball practice and he has no insurance coverage? Their colleague is well-cared for but John Q. ransoms his future for a chance at having his life saved.

[mtngirl47]

19. The only "action" I've heard from any Republican today is that

they will probably rethink town hall meetings.....because crazy people might come to those.

They will just retreat to their ivory towers and gated communities and hope we shoot each other.

[katmondoo]

24. Taking away peoples healthcare could provoke a little anger

[nini]

33. yes.. they'll use it as an excuse to go hide away from the masses

Cowards.

[GoCubsGo]

43. "They will just retreat to their ivory towers and gated communities and hope we shoot each other."

I think that has been their aim all along. Let the unwashed masses kill each other off.

[QED]

20. Flake found Scalise's phone and called his wife

so she wouldn't hear about it on the news.

Link to tweet

[LisaM]

22. Nicely stated. I am very glad no one was killed, or seriously injured.

I saw some of these same people listen to their colleague, Gabby Gifford, give heart-wrenching testimony and still vote against the bills she supported. I do hope that ultimately this is a unifying experience.

[denvine]

25. Republicans lack the ability to empathize,

so as with many other issues, maybe now that they have been affected they might start seeing the scourge that they and the NRA have sown on our country. I'm not holding my breath. I'm glad no one was killed but I hope there is a silver lining to this tragedy.

Rand Paul said that he was thankful for the Capitol Police or it could have been a massacre. Sen. Paul, we don't have Capitol Police watching over us. Do your job and protect us, not special interest or the NRA.

[DeminPennswoods]

45. Only reason Capitol police were there was

because Scalise was. He gets a security detail because he's the #3 R in the House. Otherwise, there'd have been more killed/injured.

[matt819]

26. All points well taken

Anyone willing to take bets on this?

Not me.

They cannot and will not deal with the cognitive dissonance. Though I'm sure they will have little difficulty calling this "liberal violence," without acknowledging that every other non-Muslim multiple/mass shooting in the US over many years has been the work of white supremacists, homophobes, RWNJs, and more.

[Tiggeroshii]

27. Keep in mind Gifford's was a strong NRA supporter too until the incident

We don't know exactly how this will impact their positions now that they seen the impact of gun violence first hand. My hope is that they are swayed in the same way Rep Gifford's and her husband were after their own tragic experience.

[atreides1]

36. The difference

Gifford had a conscious...those Republicans don't! Remember they all voted in favor to repeal the ACA and replace it with a POS bill that will see millions lose access to affordable health care!

What they will do now is demand a protection detail, to escort them 24/7!!!

But they won't change their minds!!!

[Tiggeroshii]

37. They certainly have a conscience whether they choose to ignore it is another story

I think their conscience will be weighing a little heavier after today.

[Raster]

29. As a victim of gun violence, I am sorry ANYONE has to go through this...

...HOWEVER, the very republicans at the field this morning have been the handmaidens of the NRA FOR YEARS AND YEARS. None of them have given a whit about gun violence... except for when they were using it as a fund raising prop.

Reap and sow, gentlemen. Reap and sow.

[33taw]

30. I am glad he has Obamacare for insurance.

[nini]

32. Sad thing is I don't it will change them politically on this issue

The NRA has them where they want them for now.

[atreides1]

34. A new perspective?

When elephants fly!!!

The NRA will calm their fears with a little cash award, and it'll be business as usual!!!

Chris Collins of NY has already said that the attacks on the President by the Democrats is what caused this attack!

So, no I doubt that any of them are going to change their minds!

[Demobrat]

35. That would be nice, but

the reality is they'll just blame the Democrats and the Liberal Media for fomenting divisiveness and hate. They WILL NOT look in the mirror.

[stollen]

39. Scalise voted against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act

It's difficult to comprehend why anyone would be in favor of violence against women, but I remain hopeful that Congressmen who have now entered the world of reality will not come out of their state of shock anytime soon.

[LakeArenal]

40. I you think this changes the discussion

Check out the video on DU with Newt Gingrich's statement...

Vulgar democrats are the problem..

[GoneOffShore]

41. 'I'm wary of epiphanies. They have a tendency to disappoint.'

Cleaver Greene in 'Rake' as played by Richard Roxburgh.

[MFM008]

42. yes they are shocked

Why?
Havent they been LISTENING to THEIR glorious leader?
Thinking about their POLICIES and how they affect people?
That their health care repeal means people will die?
WHY?

[alarimer]

44. Sometimes it has to be personal before they will act.

We've seen this time and again with all kinds of issues. It's not until it affects them personally that they decide to do something. And even then, they may opt instead to keep taking money from the NRA and do nothing.