The President's Tucson Speech, January 12, 2011

Had the president risen to somber silence rather than cheering and applause, I think we'd have seen a more restrained delivery.  As it was, Obama was in his element as the minister of a black church conducting a "celebration of life" funeral.  He made the speech about the fallen, just as he should, secondarily drawing out lessons from the tragedy and hope for the future.  It is a sad thing to have lost someone.  But to have the president talk about your lost one the way Obama did is as good as it gets under the circumstances.  Surely this was part of the healing process for the survivors.  Total control, dominance of the occasion, but with a tactful and deft touch.  Obama at his best.