Perhaps the most moving moment of Obama’s first term as president came when he spoke at the memorial for victims of the shooting that killed nine people and injured 13 more, including Congresswoman Gabby Gifford. Obama, who teared up at one point and had to collect himself, not only tried to console the nation following the shooting (more than 30 million Americans tuned in to watch the speech live), but he also attempted to rise above the intensely partisan political discourse which was said to have motivated shooter Jared Loughner by calling for a new era in civility in our nation. Obama’s victory speech in 2008 was a masterpiece of political speechwriting. The speech which was thoughtful and reflective included numerous references to Martin
