In the middle of an active shooter situation, with dead bodies still warm, wounded victims still on the scene, and killers still on the run, Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton sought to exploit the San Bernardino mass shooting for political gain.
She tweeted: “I refuse to accept this as normal. We must take action to stop gun violence now.” Her Democratic rivals were no better: Martin O’Malley called for Americans to “stand up to the NRA” and Bernie Sanders declared “gun violence must stop.”
In contrast, California Gov. Jerry Brown, one of the most pro-gun control governors in the country, said nothing about guns or politics, focusing instead on the victims and the law enforcement personnel dealing with a life-and-death emergency: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families and everyone affected by the brutal attack. California will spare no effort in bringing these killers to justice,” he said in a statement, adding that flags at the State Capitol would be lowered to half-staff.
Most Republicans also offered thoughts and prayers, as well as support for law enforcement personnel. That is–or was–a standard yet heartfelt response to ongoing violence.
For their trouble, they have been mocked by Thursday morning’s New York Daily News and others in the liberal media. The anti-prayer meme is now the left’s chosen narrative, after the attack turned out not to have been at the local Planned Parenthood clinic and as it became clear that the attack was a well-planned assault, not “gun violence.”
Left-wing hacks and muckrakers are one thing. Presidential candidates are another. Pointing fingers in the middle of an active shooter situation–and, worse, blaming the wrong people and causes–is irresponsible demagoguery, not leadership.
The media have obsessed in recent days with what Donald Trump has said about the 9/11 attacks, 14 years later. Hillary Clinton’s remarks barely minutes into the San Bernadino are far more serious. They are more than offensive.
They are a disqualification from office.