Sarah Palin’s Silence

The entire American political elite is united in its sadness and outrage over the Tucson bloodbath. But political consequences aren’t expected. Sara Palin, icon of the tea party movement, came under criticism immediately following the incident because of her intemperate campaign rhetoric that often employed militant metaphors.

But now she is silent. Many analysts say that how she deals with the criticism directed against her could be decisive for her political future. That’s probably why she chooses to remain silent for now.

The theory that tea party rhetoric poisoned the political atmosphere, laying the groundwork for Jared Lee Loughner’s shooting spree, has been rejected not only by right-wing bloggers but also by some liberal commentators. They are rightly beginning to question how it could be possible for someone kicked out of college for extreme behavior problems and under psychiatric care could so easily buy a handgun and the 30-round magazines he used in the shooting.

Such weapons had been outlawed from 1994 to 2004. Had that law still been in effect, bystanders wouldn’t have had to wait for him to fire 30 shots before they were able to overpower him when he paused to change magazines. Several of those killed in Tucson might still be alive today. Clearly, political action could have helped here.

Renewed legislative action for stricter gun controls would require political leadership from Barack Obama, but the president is publicly as silent as Sarah Palin is.

Both hope public emotions remain high only long enough for the next media sensation to show up. One is afraid of making the wrong political decision, and the other is afraid to go up against the gun lobby as a Democrat.

Doing nothing is safest for both of them.