It’s worth paying attention to President Barack Obama’s remarks at the Fort Hood memorial service on Tuesday, because they may have significant political impact.
In the past, presidents have seized the opportunity of a shared moment of national shock or grief to strengthen their role as a leader and unifier.
RONALD REAGAN
President Ronald Reagan, who was a gifted orator and had great speechwriters, really rose to the occasion after the space shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986. Millions of Americans—including many school kids—had watched the tragedy unfold live on television, and there was a deep feeling of trauma in the country.
![[QODLink]](http://english.aljazeera.net/mritems/Images/2012/2/11/2012211114212966734_16.jpg "Yusuf Raza Gilani")
