Here's the Obama statement:
Michelle and I are shocked and saddened by the horrific and tragic shooting in Colorado. Federal and local law enforcement are still responding, and my Administration will do everything that we can to support the people of Aurora in this extraordinarily difficult time. We are committed to bringing whoever was responsible to justice, ensuring the safety of our people, and caring for those who have been wounded. As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family. All of us must have the people of Aurora in our thoughts and prayers as they confront the loss of family, friends, and neighbors, and we must stand together with them in the challenging hours and days to come.
And here's Boortz's Twitter reaction:
Obama has made a statement about Colorado shooting.Whew.Everything is OK now.Obama is "shocked and saddened."
— Neal Boortz (@Talkmaster) July 20, 2012
Really? Now?
By the way, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney issued a statement about the shooting, too -- one early enough that the casualty total is off. (At this writing, the Aurora Police Department has confirmed twelve are dead, after originally putting the total at fourteen.) It reads:
Ann and I are deeply saddened by the news of the senseless violence that took the lives of 15 people in Colorado and injured dozens more. We are praying for the families and loved ones of the victims during this time of deep shock and immense grief. We expect that the person responsible for this terrible crime will be quickly brought to justice.
Should we expect a snotty tweet from Boortz (his show airs in Greeley/Fort Collins, Glenwood Springs, Basalt/Aspen, Grand Junction and Cortez) about Romney's sentiments? Of course not. Because for people like him, there's apparently never a time to take a break from bashing to think about those ten bodies currently still laying in an Aurora movie theater.
Update, 9:24 a.m. July 20: Moments ago, I received the following e-mail from Neal Boortz. It reads:
Michael...you are EXACTLY right. My Tweet was flat out wrong. Certainly it is the role of the President to lead the mourning at a time like this. I've apologized on Twitter as well.
Here's the apology tweet:
Does the last line above -- "He just affects me that way" -- seem like Boortz's way of excusing this incredible gaffe by sorta blaming it on Obama for making him feel the way he does? You be the judge.Update: Here are photos of the shooter, James Holmes, 24:
More from our News archive: "Aurora theater shooting at The Dark Knight Rises: Jessica Ghawi, news intern, ID'd as victim."