Gabby Giffords: Some Lawmakers Wish Obama Mentioned Arizonan In State Of The Union Speech

WASHINGTON -- For Democrats, there wasn't much missing from President Obama's State of the Union speech -- except some thought there could have been a little bit more about Gabby Giffords.

Taking another step in her remarkable recovery after her near fatal shooting last year, Rep. Giffords (D-Ariz.) attended the address as one of her last acts before submitting her resignation Wednesday.

In what likely will go down as one of the most touching moments from a presidential speech to Congress, Obama stopped on his way in to wrap Giffords in a warm hug. But he didn't carry that embrace of her to the podium.

Obama had mentioned Giffords in his speech last year, when she was still in a coma and represented by an empty chair in the House chamber. So while Democrats thought the president's public show of affection was certainly adequate, they noticed an absence of words.

"I wish he had said something about Gabby Giffords," said Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.), pausing to collect his emotions before adding, "But I think that hug that he and she shared was probably statement enough."

"Gabby and I were in the same class in Congress, so it was very special to see her in the chamber tonight," added Yarmuth, who otherwise rated Obama's speech as "the strongest example of leadership President Obama has ever shown."

"I thought he would give a farewell to Gabby Giffords, who has really triumphed over some difficult times," said Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.). "I'm sure he has reached out over and over again. But I thought it would have been a nice farewell to her until she comes back and makes her next step."

"I think the hug said it all but, yes, there could have been a tribute to Gabby," said Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.). "She inspires this Congress; she inspires this country."

Others thought the hug said more than words ever could. "I think if you watched when the president came in, there was a special moment where they hugged, and I quite suspect that a lot of newspapers will show that picture," said Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.).

Words or deeds mattered less to Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), who simply said he'd miss the Arizonan.

"Gabby Giffords warms everybody's hearts when she walks into the room," Ellison said. "She's just a symbol of courage and fortitude, and I'm just sad she's not going to run again because she was a great colleague."

Comments

[dakotanprudle]

11:16 PM on 01/25/2012

He did mention her, he hugged her, to me that's a great gesture.

[SpookyAnnya]

08:48 PM on 01/25/2012

We never tire of Gabby Giffords. Obama lifted up Gabby and all when he spoke in Az a year ago, even McCain. She got a standing ovation in congress today. She is well loved on both sides. I hope she can return to congress.

[Tyler Austin]

08:04 PM on 01/25/2012

I thought her presence was the best part of the entire evening. However if he had mentioned her more then he'd be accused of 'exploiting' her assassination attempt for partisan gain.
Obama really can't please everybody no matter what he says.

[floridacracker4perry]

06:26 PM on 01/25/2012

Why would Obama mention her? This is His show. Its all about Him. Besides, she is gone from Washington, she is of no use for him anymore.

[UWorlds1]

08:34 PM on 01/25/2012

You're for Perry...nuff said.

[GreatGrand mama]

08:50 PM on 02/10/2012

Rick Perry reminds me of the old Cartoon years ago.. of the Canadian Mountie.. Called Dudley DoRight.. same sneering smile.. and Dumb as a bucket of rocks.

[erikr17]

06:00 PM on 01/25/2012

I think Gabby is the best ever! And I would've loved to have seen her mentioned in the address ... still, I wonder if Obama left her out because he didn't want her to become the object of Republican bile ... I have ZERO doubt that - had he mentioned her - the propaganda machinery would've blasted him for using her to further his popularity. Heck, it's probable that - today - some of these Fox fascists besmirched the hug itself.

[chatnuptime1]

05:47 PM on 01/25/2012

Perhaps his silence over her leaving is a quiet hope that one day she will retake her seat in congress. Personally he may be wishing her a return rather then a good bye.

[ljc]

02:23 PM on 01/25/2012

" should"
" must "
" has to "
" better say "

Do you know how sick of all this " We the People " are ?

We will make up our own minds. Thanks anyway.

[ljc]

02:21 PM on 01/25/2012

Um....HP....there is a big difference between the words " should " and " wish ".

Check it out on dictionary.com and stop telling others what they " should " do.....

I learned to avoid that in Psych 101 back in the 1960's.

Geesh !

[nomoretv]

02:03 PM on 01/25/2012

She doesn't look like she feels ignored at all by the Prez. He's a compassionate man. I'm sure he's shown his concern in many other ways that are sincere enough to not require cameras and public announcements.

[patnamm]

02:03 PM on 01/25/2012

Actions speak louder than words!
Pictures say more than a thousand words!

[windy33]

01:51 PM on 01/25/2012

his hug to her and what he said was for her to hear. not for the public to make alot of hay over it. it was personal and i am sure it will remain that way.

she is a classy lady and she knows the state of the union speech is about the united states not her.

GROW UP AND GET A REAL LIFE

[KayJay90]

01:00 PM on 01/25/2012

"Some Lawmakers Wish Obama Mentioned Arizonan In State Of The Union Speech"

...so they could then complain that mentioning her -- sitting right there in front of everybody, as if anyone could forget her entrance and greeting in the chamber -- seriously distracted from the SOTU message.

Heck, he could have also mentioned what the SEAL team was doing simultaneously (rescuing the Somalian hostages), but that's not what the message of the SOTU was intended to be.

[Andrea Kelley]

12:30 PM on 01/25/2012

A hug is worth a thousand words. She is lovely but the SOU address was about us and the words said addressed US. She is too classy a lady to expect it to be about her. She will not be forgotten.

[Electrum 01]

01:49 PM on 01/25/2012

Well said. F&F

[Sonya Evans]

01:50 PM on 01/25/2012

Brilliantly said Andrea..

[Jake Dogg]

12:19 PM on 01/25/2012

If he mentioned her they just would have had a different problem. They're like a nagging friend who's impossible to keep happy.

[vlvtdbre]

12:04 PM on 01/25/2012

I'm surprised Newt didn't mention his ethics violations while denying his philandering in the recent GOP debate...get a grip you can't say everything.

[nomoretv]

02:04 PM on 01/25/2012

lol