Tucson shootings don't quell debate over political rhetoric

By Peter Wallsten
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Across the ideological spectrum, officials and activists agreed after Saturday's Tucson killings that it was time to soften the harsh edges of America's raucous national dialogue.

But by Monday, a bitter debate had erupted over how to do it - and on whose terms.

On the right, former House speaker Newt Gingrich lashed out at liberals who have blamed the shooting rampage in part on tea-party-inspired anger, arguing these same liberals "cannot bring themselves" to draw connections between accused terrorists and "radical Islam ideology."

Rush Limbaugh accused Democrats of "rubbing their hands together" in anticipation of using the shootings as a political revitalization.

(More here.)