After the worst mass shooting in American history, you might think Obama would have something new to say. After all, there are multiple issues involved in the Orlando tragedy: the Islamic State and terrorism, gun rights and LGBT tolerance.
So what’s new?
Nothing. Obama’s speech Tuesday on operations against the Islamic State was full of phrases like “As we all know,” “As I’ve said before,” “the measures we continue to take,” “this continues to be,” and “once again.” Even the meeting Obama had come out of was scheduled prior to the Orlando tragedy.
Obama had nothing to say along the lines of “The Orlando tragedy has affected me deeply, and as a result, today I’m announcing…” say, a new plan to fight the Islamic State. A new plan to protect the LGBT community from hate crimes. A new plan to limit gun control. Not even “I’ve asked [such and such adviser] to develop a new plan that can be implemented before I leave office.”
Instead of announcing something new, Obama just reviewed what he’s done over the past two months. “I’ve authorized a series of steps to ratchet up our fight against ISIL. Additional U.S. personnel including special forces in Syria to assist local forces battling ISIL there. Additional advisers to work more closely with Iraqi security forces. And additional assets including attack helicopters. And additional support for local forces in northern Iraq.”
And then, more of the same. “Our aircraft continue to launch from the USS Harry Truman… ISIL continues to lose ground in Syria… ISIL continues to lose money… In continuing to push on this front… We will continue to push… Since before I was president…” He even continued to ask the Senate to confirm one of his nominees.
On gun control, Obama continued to say people on the terror watch list shouldn’t have access to guns, and continued to call for an assault weapons ban.
According to a rough CSPAN transcript of the speech, Obama used a form of “continue” 16 times in the 26 minute speech.
I have no doubt that Obama was saddened and personally affected by the tragedy. But you wouldn’t know it from how it’s not changing his plans, positions, or even priorities at all.
To be fair, it’s probably for the best the president isn’t making decisions based on emotion in the wake of historic loss. But essentially saying “we’re going to continue doing what we’ve been doing” probably isn’t what the American people want to hear.
Jason Russell is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
