Former Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin meanwhile has released a controversial statement on the Arizona shooting. In a videotaped speech, Palin condemned the attack but went on to harshly criticize those who have mentioned her scathing remarks about Democrats. Congressmember Giffords was included on a controversial map issued by Palin that included crosshairs on various districts. In a tweet at the time, Palin urged supporters: “Don’t Retreat–RELOAD!” In her statement, Palin suggested that mention of her previous comments is “blood libel.”

Sarah Palin: “Journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence that they purport to condemn. That is reprehensible. There are those who claim political rhetoric is to blame for the despicable act of this deranged, apparently apolitical, criminal, and they claim political debate has somehow gotten more heated just recently. But when was it less heated? Back in those calm days when political figures literally settled their differences with dueling pistols?”