President Obama's Reaction To The Fort Hood Shooting: Bookerista Perspectives

Robert A. George: "Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting"

The moderate-conservative Republican journalist in New York opines that it was an awful moment for the U.S. president: "President Obama didn't wait long after Tuesday's devastating elections to give critics another reason to question his leadership, but this time the subject matter was more grim than a pair of governorships. After news broke out of the shooting at the Fort Hood Army post in Texas, the nation watched in horror as the toll of dead and injured climbed. The White House was notified immediately and by late afternoon, word went out that the president would speak about the incident prior to a previously scheduled appearance. At about 5 p.m., cable stations went to the president. The situation called for not only his trademark eloquence, but also grace and perspective. But instead of a somber chief executive offering reassuring words and expressions of sympathy and compassion, viewers saw a wildly disconnected and inappropriately light president making introductory remarks. At the event, a Tribal Nations Conference hosted by the Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian affairs, the president thanked various staffers and offered a 'shout-out' to 'Dr. Joe Medicine Crow -- that Congressional Medal of Honor winner.' Three minutes in, the president spoke about the shooting, in measured and appropriate terms. Who is advising him?"

He continues his commentary: "Anyone at home aware of the major news story of the previous hours had to have been stunned. An incident like this requires a scrapping of the early light banter. The president should apologize for the tone of his remarks, explain what has happened, express sympathy for those slain and appeal for calm and patience until all the facts are in. That's the least that should occur. Indeed, an argument could be made that Obama should have canceled the Indian event, out of respect for people having been murdered at an Army post a few hours before. That would have prevented any sort of jarring emotional switch at the event. Did the president's team not realize what sort of image they were presenting to the country at this moment? The disconnect between what Americans at home knew had been going on -- and the initial words coming out of their president's mouth was jolting, if not disturbing."

More: "If the president's communications apparatus can't inform -- and protect -- their boss during tense moments when the country needs to see a focused commander-in-chief and a compassionate head of state, it has disastrous consequences for that president's party and supporters. All the president's men (and women) fell down on the job Thursday. And Democrats across the country have real reason to panic."

Clifton B.: "Shout-Outs And Tragedies Don't Mix"

The conservative blogger in New Jersey opines: "This is rather unbelievable. Did the brother never watch any of his predecessors make these kinds of statements. Given the mismatch between the two events, didn’t anyone think that Obama should have made two separate statements so as not to mix the moods? For all the talk about how bright Obama is and how bright his staff is, these people continually make one dumb mistake after another. Geez, how hard is it to figure out that tragedies and shout out don’t mix!"

He continues his commentary: "Who is advising him? Try this line 'birds of the same feather flock together'! Obama and his advisors are not the most Pro-American people in the nation, as such you will continue to get incidents like this."

Mr. Grey Ghost: "Barack Obama Gives A 'Shout Out' Before Addressing Fort Hood Massacre"

The conservative Democratic blogger in New York writes: "This is embarrassing. You telling me that Barry couldn't save his 'shout out' for when he was done talking about the shooting? That's what a true leader would do out of respect alone. He just comes off as completely unaffected here. Mind you, these were 12 of our troops who were murdered by one of their own here, on their own soil and our 'President' treats it like it's just another speech on his agenda. How does this look to a family or friend of one of the murdered soldiers, much less any soldier? Much less any American? Once again Barack Obama disgraces the office he holds."